Position Summary  

Council seeks an innovative Strategic Relations Manager responsible for assisting in the implementation of Trustee, donor and alumni development and engagement strategies. The Manager will assist the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and other Executive Team members with creating, communicating and executing long- and short-term initiatives within Council and within the 4-H system. Additionally, the Manager will develop alliances and engagement opportunities in line with Council’s strategic plan. She/he will report directly to the CSO.   

Responsibilities   

Board Development and Engagement    

• Plan and execute quarterly Board of Trustees meetings that include off-site conferences, receptions, and other Board-related events.   
• Support the design, development, and implementation of a long-term Board development plan, including board recruitment, and orientation and engagement, and on behalf of the Executive Office.   
• Working in close partnership with the Resource Development team, develop customized orientation/engagement opportunities for new and current Trustees.   
• Manage logistics and prepare communications for standing and ad hoc Board Committees.   
• Develop market research and gather intelligence in support of Council strategic initiatives.   
• Partner with the CSO and Chief Financial Officer to communicate and implement Council’s annual planning and budgeting process.   
• Support the measurement and analysis of Council’s long- and short-term strategic planning efforts, including a quarterly Scorecard submitted to the Board’s Governance Committee.   
• Provide overall support as needed to Council’s Board of Trustees and Executive Team.    

Strategic Planning   

• Support the CSO and Executive Team in the execution of strategic objectives; specifically, elevating 4-H’s role in expanding economic mobility in America.   
• Support the CSO in convening land-grant university leaders, helping connect 4-H outcomes to university-wide goals.   
• Support relationships with state Cooperative Extension leaders via the National Extension Directors and Administrators annual conference.   
• Mobilize Trustees as advocates for Council and strategic objectives. Help mobilize support within the 4-H community.    

Government Relations   

• Support the Executive Office in driving engagement with principals/Congressional members and staffers across the Executive and Legislative branches of the U.S. government to further develop 4-H’s brand and its impact.   
• Create/build relationships with Congressional offices of alumni and supporters of 4-H to develop and/or steward federal funding.   
• Leverage the 4-H Caucus as a tool to increase meetings/events with Trustees and Extension leadership on Capitol Hill