Community Relations Manager

Overview

Location: Des Plaines, IL Category: Staff Posted On: Thu Jan 29 2026

Job Description:

The Community Relations Manager develops and leads the implementation of Oakton's community engagement strategy by building meaningful partnerships with organizations, businesses, schools, and civic leaders. Serving as a key liaison between College and Community leaders, the Manager connects groups seeking to collaborate with the College and equips Oakton representatives to serve as effective ambassadors. In this role, the Manager provides counsel to and works closely with Oakton's Advancement, Admissions/Enrollment, Workforce Development, Human Resources, and other departments to ensure outreach efforts align with and advance the College's institutional goals.

• Develop and implement the strategy and growth of the Oakton Ambassador initiative, strategically recruiting College employees including senior leaders and Trustees to represent Oakton within community organizations to build awareness, strengthen the College's influence, and advance institutional priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of tailored training, message points, fact sheets, presentations, and other resources to Ambassadors to ensure consistent representation of the College.
• Maintain a deep understanding of community stakeholder groups (e.g., Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, K-12 schools, nonprofit organizations), and their alignment with Oakton College's mission and strategic priorities. Identify and pursue high-impact opportunities for Ambassadors, strategically recommending placement of colleagues, including senior leaders, to represent Oakton within identified organizations.
• Develop and implement a strategy for sponsoring and participating in community events. Propose and manage sponsorship budget resources and coordinate event staffing and materials to ensure alignment Oakton's with strategic goals and robust engagement with students, employees, alumni, and community partners who represent Oakton.
• Represent Oakton at high-profile community meetings, events, and programs often during evenings and weekends.
• In collaboration with Academic Affairs, the Office of Admission, and other departments, lead the development and implementation of a campus visit program for K-12 schools and external stakeholder groups. Tailor visits to showcase Oakton's academic programs, student services, and career pathways as part of a long-term enrollment strategy.
• Lead outreach to high-influence external groups and leaders to garner support for and participation in community-facing College events. Develop and implement outreach strategies that attract diverse external audiences and ensure meaningful engagement.
• Leverage a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system (i.e., Salesforce) to track and analyze community relationships and engagements, identify gaps, and provide regular reports and recommendations to College leadership. Assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts and recommend strategy changes as needed.
• Highlight and amplify community partnerships and engagement through internal and external communication channels, ensuring visibility and recognition of Oakton's role as a district wide resource.
• Partner with the Director of Communications and External Relations, Chief Advancement Officer, College President and other senior leaders to support legislative outreach and engagement with local, state, and federal elected officials, advocating for Oakton's priorities and funding needs.
• Provide orientation and ongoing education to, and coverage for, Welcome Center personnel in conjunction with partners from the Communications department and Office of Admission.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Supervision Received:
  Direct supervision from the Director of Communications and External Relations.
• Supervision Exercised:
  May oversee student workers and contractors as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, education, public administration, or related field, or equivalent job experience required.
• Minimum of five years of…