Director of Community Engagement and Recruitment
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Minneapolis, MN, United States
The Director of Community Engagement & Recruitment provides strategic leadership for how BBBSTC builds trust, presence, and participation in the Twin Cities community. This role is accountable for developing and leading a cohesive strategy that drives youth and volunteer participation, strengthens community partnerships, and ensures recruitment efforts align with the agency’s mission, values, and program needs.
As a member of the Advancement Leadership Team, the Director oversees the Community Engagement & Recruitment function, supervising the Manager of Community Engagement & Recruitment and the Community Engagement & Recruitment Coordinator. Together, this team is responsible for generating and converting high-quality inquiries, deepening community relationships, and ensuring BBBSTC is visible, credible, and responsive across the communities it serves.
This is a hands‑on leadership role that balances external community presence with internal strategy, people leadership, and accountability. The Director is responsible for translating organizational goals into a clear, relationship‑driven strategy while ensuring that recruitment and engagement practices remain equitable and results‑oriented. Success requires a strategic leader who can build community trust, manage resources and risk, and align efforts across departments to drive sustainable participation and impact.
Focus Areas
Strategic Direction for Growth & Sustainability:
Driving the high‑level strategy and organizational alignment necessary to ensure the long‑term growth, strength, and sustainability of youth and volunteer recruitment pipelines.
Trust‑Based Community Presence:
Serving as a visible, credible ambassador to build deep‑rooted relationships and foster a trusting presence within diverse communities.
Inclusive Recruitment & Experience Excellence:
Optimizing conversion rates and participant journeys to ensure recruitment is equitable, relationship‑driven, and highly effective for all priority populations.
Strategic Partnership & Representation:
Cultivating high‑impact community partnerships that increase the representation of priority youth and volunteer demographics across the agency.
High‑Performance Team Leadership:
Ensuring organizational clarity and performance by aligning team efforts with agency priorities through mentorship, accountability, and a shared commitment to impact.
Job Details
Location: Hybrid with 2‑day per week in office requirement in Minneapolis, MN
Hiring Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Hours/Day: Monday‑Friday, 40 hours a week – with hours that will include flex time in the evening and weekend hours on a regular basis
Job Type: Full‑time, Exempt
Supervisor: Vice President of Advancement
Position Specifics
Leadership and Strategy
Develop and lead annual Community Engagement & Recruitment strategies that drive youth and volunteer participation in alignment with agency goals and program demand.
Set clear priorities, success measures, and expectations for recruitment and community engagement efforts across roles.
Monitor progress toward goals using data dashboards and regular reporting; adjust strategy based on performance, community feedback, and organizational needs.
Ensure recruitment and engagement strategies support equitable access, representation, and inclusion—particularly for historically underrepresented communities.
Partner with the Vice President of Advancement to align department goals with the agency’s strategic plan and resource priorities.
Lead strategy and efforts to engage with the community by building authentic, trusting relationships that result in increased participants and partnerships.
Promote and foster an agency‑wide culture of community centrism.
Translate community insights and market trends into forward‑looking recruitment strategies that anticipate shifts in volunteer behavior and engagement.
Community Presence & Partnership Leadership
Serve as a visible, trusted representative of BBBSTC in the Twin Cities community.
Build and sustain authentic relationships with community leaders, corporations, affinity groups, faith‑based organizations, schools, municipalities, and nonprofit partners.
Identify and steward partnerships that generate participant engagement, recruitment opportunities, and long‑term trust.
Ensure BBBSTC shows up consistently, professionally, and relationally across community spaces.
Elevate participant voice and community insight to inform recruitment strategies and organizational decision‑making.
Serve as a visible ambassador of the organization’s brand and values, leveraging storytelling and public speaking to deepen community trust and expand reach.
Recruitment & Participant Experience
Provide strategic oversight for volunteer and youth recruitment pipelines, ensuring alignment with program needs, geography, and demographics.
Partner closely with the Manager of Community Engagement & Recruitment to improve inquiry generation and conversion rates, reduce friction and delays in the recruitment process, and strengthen the volunteer experience from first contact through enrollment.
Champion a participant‑centered approach that balances responsiveness, clarity, and accountability for volunteers, youth, and families.
Ensure consistent messaging, expectations, and communication across all recruitment and engagement touchpoints.
Design and continuously optimize the end‑to‑end recruitment journey using data and feedback loops to increase conversion rates and reduce time‑to‑match.
People Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach, and support the Community Engagement & Recruitment team through regular 1:1s, team meetings, and performance feedback.
Create a culture of clarity, collaboration, learning, and accountability within the team.
Support staff in navigating complex community dynamics, balancing relationship‑building with results.
Ensure roles are well‑defined, workloads are aligned to priorities, and team capacity is used effectively.
Lead through change with transparency and adaptability as strategies evolve.
Foster a high‑performance, inclusive team culture by coaching staff to set and achieve ambitious goals while supporting professional growth and retention.
Data, Systems & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Ensure data related to community relationships, recruitment, and engagement is accurate, meaningful, and used to inform decisions.
Partner with Data & Impact to develop and refine dashboards and indicators that track recruitment and engagement outcomes.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to align messaging, campaigns, and community‑facing materials.
Work closely with Program leadership to anticipate participant needs and ensure recruitment efforts are responsive and coordinated.
Contribute to agency‑wide advancement initiatives, events, and strategic efforts as needed.
Leverage data storytelling to influence cross‑functional decision‑making and secure buy‑in for recruitment strategies and resource allocation.
BBBS Mission Alignment
Maintain knowledge of community needs, resources, and networks.
Communicate professionally with internal and external constituents.
Work collaboratively to achieve results as specified in the strategic plan.
Promote teamwork by overseeing and participating in various teams, including work groups and interdepartmental meetings.
Positively represent BBBS in the larger community.
Assist in agency‑wide events and initiatives including recruitment, fundraising, event management, and community outreach.
Honor and respect the diversity of lived experiences, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the organization.
Contribute to the overall success of the agency in order to achieve the BBBS mission.
Handle data from youth, families, mentors, or other constituents with care, ensuring secure and private maintenance.
Requirements
While we have identified specific requirements for this role, we acknowledge that not all candidates may possess every requirement listed. We encourage all applicants who believe they possess the necessary skills and experience to apply, regardless of whether they meet each requirement to the fullest extent.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred, but experience in sales, volunteer recruitment, marketing, communications, public relations, community engagement or a related field is valued.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, recruitment, advancement, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
Minimum 2 years of experience in recruiting or sales.
Proficiency in a second language preferred, but not required.
Demonstrated success building and sustaining external partnerships across diverse communities.
Experience leading teams, setting strategy, and managing performance outcomes.
Strong understanding of equity‑centered engagement and relationship‑based recruitment.
Experience using data to guide strategy and decision‑making.
Salesforce or CRM experience preferred.
Ideal candidates would have experience engaging with BIPOC affinity groups, community groups, and professional organizations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strategic thinker who can translate community insight into clear priorities and action.
Strong people leader with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold teams accountable.
Highly relational, with credibility and presence in diverse community settings.
Excellent communicator—able to influence, align, and represent the organization effectively.
Comfort navigating complexity, ambiguity, and change.
Deep commitment to BBBSTC’s mission, values, and youth‑centered work.
Solid organizational, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work proactively to solve problems and resolve conflicts with volunteers, partners, and coworkers.
Detail‑oriented and highly organized individual; able to plan and organize multiple projects simultaneously.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance coverage or have reliable transportation for meeting work responsibilities and priorities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, regularly, on‑site and out in the community to engage and connect with families, partners, the community, and potential volunteers.
Physical Requirements
This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately
40–50 pounds , with or without reasonable accommodation.
The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public at community events, as well as regular use of standard office equipment and technology such as computers, mobile devices, and phones. Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.
About BBBSTC
Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities is the largest and oldest youth mentoring organization in the greater Twin Cities serving Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka and parts of Dakota and Washington counties. Each year, we match up to 2,600 youth (Littles) and their families with caring adults (Bigs) who volunteer as youth mentors.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
As a member of the Advancement Leadership Team, the Director oversees the Community Engagement & Recruitment function, supervising the Manager of Community Engagement & Recruitment and the Community Engagement & Recruitment Coordinator. Together, this team is responsible for generating and converting high-quality inquiries, deepening community relationships, and ensuring BBBSTC is visible, credible, and responsive across the communities it serves.
This is a hands‑on leadership role that balances external community presence with internal strategy, people leadership, and accountability. The Director is responsible for translating organizational goals into a clear, relationship‑driven strategy while ensuring that recruitment and engagement practices remain equitable and results‑oriented. Success requires a strategic leader who can build community trust, manage resources and risk, and align efforts across departments to drive sustainable participation and impact.
Focus Areas
Strategic Direction for Growth & Sustainability:
Driving the high‑level strategy and organizational alignment necessary to ensure the long‑term growth, strength, and sustainability of youth and volunteer recruitment pipelines.
Trust‑Based Community Presence:
Serving as a visible, credible ambassador to build deep‑rooted relationships and foster a trusting presence within diverse communities.
Inclusive Recruitment & Experience Excellence:
Optimizing conversion rates and participant journeys to ensure recruitment is equitable, relationship‑driven, and highly effective for all priority populations.
Strategic Partnership & Representation:
Cultivating high‑impact community partnerships that increase the representation of priority youth and volunteer demographics across the agency.
High‑Performance Team Leadership:
Ensuring organizational clarity and performance by aligning team efforts with agency priorities through mentorship, accountability, and a shared commitment to impact.
Job Details
Location: Hybrid with 2‑day per week in office requirement in Minneapolis, MN
Hiring Salary Range: $65,000 – $85,000
Hours/Day: Monday‑Friday, 40 hours a week – with hours that will include flex time in the evening and weekend hours on a regular basis
Job Type: Full‑time, Exempt
Supervisor: Vice President of Advancement
Position Specifics
Leadership and Strategy
Develop and lead annual Community Engagement & Recruitment strategies that drive youth and volunteer participation in alignment with agency goals and program demand.
Set clear priorities, success measures, and expectations for recruitment and community engagement efforts across roles.
Monitor progress toward goals using data dashboards and regular reporting; adjust strategy based on performance, community feedback, and organizational needs.
Ensure recruitment and engagement strategies support equitable access, representation, and inclusion—particularly for historically underrepresented communities.
Partner with the Vice President of Advancement to align department goals with the agency’s strategic plan and resource priorities.
Lead strategy and efforts to engage with the community by building authentic, trusting relationships that result in increased participants and partnerships.
Promote and foster an agency‑wide culture of community centrism.
Translate community insights and market trends into forward‑looking recruitment strategies that anticipate shifts in volunteer behavior and engagement.
Community Presence & Partnership Leadership
Serve as a visible, trusted representative of BBBSTC in the Twin Cities community.
Build and sustain authentic relationships with community leaders, corporations, affinity groups, faith‑based organizations, schools, municipalities, and nonprofit partners.
Identify and steward partnerships that generate participant engagement, recruitment opportunities, and long‑term trust.
Ensure BBBSTC shows up consistently, professionally, and relationally across community spaces.
Elevate participant voice and community insight to inform recruitment strategies and organizational decision‑making.
Serve as a visible ambassador of the organization’s brand and values, leveraging storytelling and public speaking to deepen community trust and expand reach.
Recruitment & Participant Experience
Provide strategic oversight for volunteer and youth recruitment pipelines, ensuring alignment with program needs, geography, and demographics.
Partner closely with the Manager of Community Engagement & Recruitment to improve inquiry generation and conversion rates, reduce friction and delays in the recruitment process, and strengthen the volunteer experience from first contact through enrollment.
Champion a participant‑centered approach that balances responsiveness, clarity, and accountability for volunteers, youth, and families.
Ensure consistent messaging, expectations, and communication across all recruitment and engagement touchpoints.
Design and continuously optimize the end‑to‑end recruitment journey using data and feedback loops to increase conversion rates and reduce time‑to‑match.
People Leadership & Team Development
Lead, coach, and support the Community Engagement & Recruitment team through regular 1:1s, team meetings, and performance feedback.
Create a culture of clarity, collaboration, learning, and accountability within the team.
Support staff in navigating complex community dynamics, balancing relationship‑building with results.
Ensure roles are well‑defined, workloads are aligned to priorities, and team capacity is used effectively.
Lead through change with transparency and adaptability as strategies evolve.
Foster a high‑performance, inclusive team culture by coaching staff to set and achieve ambitious goals while supporting professional growth and retention.
Data, Systems & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Ensure data related to community relationships, recruitment, and engagement is accurate, meaningful, and used to inform decisions.
Partner with Data & Impact to develop and refine dashboards and indicators that track recruitment and engagement outcomes.
Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to align messaging, campaigns, and community‑facing materials.
Work closely with Program leadership to anticipate participant needs and ensure recruitment efforts are responsive and coordinated.
Contribute to agency‑wide advancement initiatives, events, and strategic efforts as needed.
Leverage data storytelling to influence cross‑functional decision‑making and secure buy‑in for recruitment strategies and resource allocation.
BBBS Mission Alignment
Maintain knowledge of community needs, resources, and networks.
Communicate professionally with internal and external constituents.
Work collaboratively to achieve results as specified in the strategic plan.
Promote teamwork by overseeing and participating in various teams, including work groups and interdepartmental meetings.
Positively represent BBBS in the larger community.
Assist in agency‑wide events and initiatives including recruitment, fundraising, event management, and community outreach.
Honor and respect the diversity of lived experiences, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the organization.
Contribute to the overall success of the agency in order to achieve the BBBS mission.
Handle data from youth, families, mentors, or other constituents with care, ensuring secure and private maintenance.
Requirements
While we have identified specific requirements for this role, we acknowledge that not all candidates may possess every requirement listed. We encourage all applicants who believe they possess the necessary skills and experience to apply, regardless of whether they meet each requirement to the fullest extent.
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree preferred, but experience in sales, volunteer recruitment, marketing, communications, public relations, community engagement or a related field is valued.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in community engagement, recruitment, advancement, nonprofit leadership, or related fields.
Minimum 2 years of experience in recruiting or sales.
Proficiency in a second language preferred, but not required.
Demonstrated success building and sustaining external partnerships across diverse communities.
Experience leading teams, setting strategy, and managing performance outcomes.
Strong understanding of equity‑centered engagement and relationship‑based recruitment.
Experience using data to guide strategy and decision‑making.
Salesforce or CRM experience preferred.
Ideal candidates would have experience engaging with BIPOC affinity groups, community groups, and professional organizations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Strategic thinker who can translate community insight into clear priorities and action.
Strong people leader with the ability to coach, motivate, and hold teams accountable.
Highly relational, with credibility and presence in diverse community settings.
Excellent communicator—able to influence, align, and represent the organization effectively.
Comfort navigating complexity, ambiguity, and change.
Deep commitment to BBBSTC’s mission, values, and youth‑centered work.
Solid organizational, problem‑solving, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work proactively to solve problems and resolve conflicts with volunteers, partners, and coworkers.
Detail‑oriented and highly organized individual; able to plan and organize multiple projects simultaneously.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and current auto insurance coverage or have reliable transportation for meeting work responsibilities and priorities.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, regularly, on‑site and out in the community to engage and connect with families, partners, the community, and potential volunteers.
Physical Requirements
This position operates in a hybrid environment that includes office work and frequent presence in community and event settings. The role requires the ability to set up and break down outreach and tabling materials, including lifting, carrying, and transporting items up to approximately
40–50 pounds , with or without reasonable accommodation.
The position also requires extended periods of standing, walking, and engaging with the public at community events, as well as regular use of standard office equipment and technology such as computers, mobile devices, and phones. Reliable transportation is required to travel to community locations throughout the Twin Cities.
About BBBSTC
Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities is the largest and oldest youth mentoring organization in the greater Twin Cities serving Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka and parts of Dakota and Washington counties. Each year, we match up to 2,600 youth (Littles) and their families with caring adults (Bigs) who volunteer as youth mentors.
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