University Engagement and Events Coordinator - Minneapolis

Public-facing role that educates, engages, and inspires the public to support and participate in the NMDP mission through presentations, awareness events, celebrations, and registry recruitment. This position travels regularly throughout the Minneapolis, MN area.

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain relationships to drive committed individuals to join the NMDP registry, focusing on increasing diversity through engagement and education of ethnically diverse communities.
• Key target audiences include:
  • Colleges, universities, and technical or vocational schools
  • Community-based organizations and coalitions
  • Corporations
  • Service sectors (e.g., police and fire academies and units)
• Deliver excellent customer service through planning and coordination of registry awareness, education, and commitment activities aligned with sponsor vision and organizational goals.
• Collaborate with internal partners (marketing, volunteer services, NMDP Foundation) and external partners to maximize mission reach.
• Maintain ongoing knowledge of HLA and blood stem cell transplantation to educate and influence target audiences.
• Work collaboratively with a regional team to achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual registry enrollment goals.

Community & Activity Leadership

• Establish, build, and maintain relationships within ethnically diverse communities, including leaders, organizations, media, businesses, and local contacts.
• Serve as liaison between NMDP and the community; respond to leads and referrals in a timely manner.
• Communicate through public speaking and written materials to expand the NMDP mission for increased participation in registry membership, volunteerism, and philanthropic giving.
• Identify and recommend innovative community engagement and recruitment practices; provide feedback to account managers and marketing leaders.
• Collaborate with account managers and marketing to create an annual engagement and recruitment strategy plan to achieve diverse goals.
• Plan, organize, and deliver mission-focused events (live and digital) ensuring excellent registry member experience and customer service.
• Activate volunteers and sponsors to achieve event targets, including promotions and network engagement.
• Educate prospective donors about NMDP’s mission, donation process, and registry expectations to ensure informed and committed new members.
• Respond to questions, issues, and concerns of potential donors during engagement.
• Implement training and procedures for community engagement, education, and donor recruitment.
• Create an annual activity plan with specific rotations at target college campuses.
• Meet defined goals focusing on committed, diverse recruitment platforms; keep leadership informed of progress.

Internal and External Partnership Leadership

• Collaborate with account managers and network partners to meet NMDP’s strategic goals and initiatives.
• Partner with network Transplant Centers to identify patients and families interested in supporting NMDP through community awareness efforts.
• Provide support to patient families and refer them to appropriate NMDP support services.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support leads and share impactful patient, donor, and related stories with marketing.
• Participate in media events and represent NMDP in media interviews; communicate media opportunities to marketing liaisons.
• Engage in team building and collaborate across organizational functions to support donor recruitment, availability, and experience objectives.
• Promote and encourage financial support of the NMDP Foundation.

Volunteer Management Support

• Speak to community groups to inform them of NMDP activities and recruit potential volunteers.
• Collaborate with account managers to recruit, retain, interview, screen, train, and recommend volunteer placement.
• Ensure volunteers are properly trained and supervised throughout the engagement process.
• Comply with requirements to track volunteer data and hours.
• Support and participate in volunteer recognition and appreciation activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of formal education and experience.
• Two years of experience in sales, business or community development, client account management, event planning, or implementation where defined goals or targets are required.
• Experience as a marrow or PBSC donor or direct connection to the mission is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation with capacity to hold event materials (e.g., canopy tent, 6' folding table, storage totes).

Skills

• Knowledge of sales and marketing, volunteer management, and developing in-market strategies.
• Ability to navigate college and university systems (e.g., athletics, diverse affinity groups, student government, Greek organizations).
• Experience networking and developing community partnerships within ethnically diverse communities.
• Proficiency in using social media and leveraging digital marketing to drive recruitment.
• Excellent oral and written communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects.
• Self-motivated, goal-driven, and able to demonstrate interaction with and influence over others.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Salesforce, and internet tools.
• Bilingual language skills may be necessary depending on location.
• Willingness to travel within the region (25%-50%), work evenings/weekends, and occasional national travel (3-4 trips per year).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Accident, critical illness, and hospital coverage
• Well-being, legal, identity theft, and pet benefits
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off, holidays, and leave options
• Incentive plans