Job Title: Program Manager II
Schedule: Hybrid
Location: Austin, Texas
Employment Type: 6-month contract (possibility for extension)
Compensation: $50-53 per hour on a W2
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Participant Recruitment & Outreach Manager to lead the acquisition of prospective participants for an Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC). This role is responsible for developing and executing multi-channel outreach strategies to recruit both small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and student participants. The ideal candidate will be skilled at translating the center’s mission, programs, and value proposition into compelling messaging that engages target audiences and drives participation.
This position requires a proactive, independent professional who can conduct market research, develop outreach campaigns, and collaborate across multiple teams to implement participant assessment and selection processes aligned with organizational policies and objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead recruitment efforts for SMBs and student participants through targeted outreach initiatives.
- Conduct market research to identify the most effective channels and strategies for reaching eligible audiences.
- Plan, implement, and manage social media campaigns and digital outreach programs.
- Execute additional lead generation and participant engagement activities to increase program awareness and enrollment.
- Develop clear, compelling messaging that communicates program benefits and opportunities to prospective participants.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to design and implement participant screening and assessment processes.
- Track outreach performance metrics and use data-driven insights to optimize recruitment strategies.
- Coordinate and support promotional events, business conventions, workshops, and other engagement activities.
- Manage scheduling, venue logistics, and resource planning for outreach and recruitment events.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience developing and executing successful outreach, recruitment, marketing, or promotional programs.
- Experience working with small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs), startups, educational institutions, or entrepreneurial ecosystems.
- Strong ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven mindset.
- Experience planning and coordinating events, workshops, conferences, or business conventions.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while remaining highly collaborative and results-oriented.
- Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting startup communities, business incubators, accelerators, workforce development programs, or manufacturing initiatives.
- Background in participant recruitment, community engagement, business development, marketing, or program management.
- Passion for helping SMBs, startups, and students access growth and development opportunities.
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