Community Engagement Manager, Western & Southwest Regions

Community Engagement Manager

At Merit Network, we believe technology has the power to connect people, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity. For 60 years, our nonprofit organization has supported education, research, healthcare, government, libraries, tribal organizations, and nonprofits through innovative technology and connectivity solutions. Join a team of passionate professionals who are committed to making an impact and helping create a future where communities have the tools and connections they need to thrive.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Member Services and Community Engagement, you will identify, organize and execute efforts to support the needs and strategies required of our Western and Southwest Region members. You will also be part of Merit's Moonshot initiative, an effort to assess and address the digital divide for Michigan communities. This regional role includes coordinating regional Member needs, broadband expansion, business development, and strategic engagement.

You will develop and implement strategic plans to include analysis of member needs and service requirements, including ongoing outreach and support.

You will be the primary account manager for key accounts also supporting strategy and business development, service sales, and recruitment to support the following:

• Member Engagement - Sales & Account Management Outreach Activities
• Merit Services Sales
• Member Recruitment
• Community engagement and business development activities related to broadband expansion

You will work both independently and within a team environment as well as across the organization with other Merit departments. You should be able to manage multiple projects and opportunities, and be able to prioritize and manage your work schedule in a fast-past environment.

You will become a subject matter expert related to local and regional strategic ecosystem building as it relates to network and security technology services, community building and broadband infrastructure. In addition to care and maintenance of existing Member organizations in the assigned region, this position will focus on the development of community ecosystems and strategic relationships throughout the state.

As an effective team member, you will be a highly organized self-starter, able to work under deadlines, juggle multiple assignments simultaneously, be proactive and be willing to continually learn.

Have questions about the role or want to learn more before applying?

Join our informal, open-forum Zoom sessions to connect with the hiring team! Drop in at any time during the hour and stay as long as you'd like - whether you have specific questions or just want to listen in.

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 | 12 PM - 1 PM EST

Essential Functions for this position are followed by an (E).

As the Community Engagement Manager, your key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Engagement & Procurement Activities (70%):

• Be the primary contact for assigned Member accounts and related strategic stakeholders (primarily in Western and Southwest Michigan, or as assigned) (E)
• Provide customer focused engagement with key stakeholders within member and prospective member organizations (E)
• Responsible for revenue generation and Membership growth through account management, outreach and business development activities (E)
• Develop and implement a business plan to grow Membership for strategic market verticals and organizations, and expand adoption of Merit services with a focus on key members (E)
• Engage with decision-makers and technical staff to provide consultation on current and future needs of Merit services and network connections utilizing both direct knowledge and organization-wide subject matter expertise (E)
• Manage with self-sufficiency through the sales process of inquiry, discovery, quoting, presentation, and closing by providing pre and post-sales outreach (This includes RFP responses and quotes) (E)
• Develop, qualify and close service sales leads, achieving sale and account management objectives set forth by management (E)
• Accurately document all sales and engagement related activities, support documents, and progress in CRM with accurate judgment of projected close dates and contract amounts.
• Sufficient and accurate administrative use of all Merit systems will also be required. (E)
• Partner with the Member Success Associate team to coordinate quoting, installation and support activities ensuring Member Success and a positive Member experience. (E)
• Be a resource to Merit's Members in other regions as requested by management
• Attend and conduct lead generation activities at conferences and events in Michigan and nationally, as required
• Prepare and/or present relevant content at meetings, training sessions, and events
• Work to connect uncoordinated intra-state activities in a strategic and cohesive manner within your peer Engagement Manager team, escalating opportunities to Merit leadership where appropriate

Sales Engineering (20%)

• Conduct and/or…