NRRI Strategic Engagement Manager

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota’s natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.

NRRI’s mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.

The Strategic Engagement Manager serves as an operational leader within NRRI's Office of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, helping translate institutional priorities into coordinated engagement strategies, relationships, and action. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Partnerships & External Affairs, this role serves as a force multiplier across NRRI's growing portfolio of externally facing initiatives by stewarding relationships, coordinating strategic platforms, and maintaining continuity across complex multi-partner efforts.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-oriented, politically and publicly aware, and comfortable operating in fast-moving environments that span industry, Tribal Nations, government, philanthropy, academia, and communities.

• Strategic Platforms, Convenings & Institutional Coordination (40%)
• Coordinate and help operationalize major institutional initiatives, including the Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative (MITI) and other strategic platforms that advance NRRI priorities.
• Lead planning and execution for advisory panel meetings, forums, workshops, stakeholder working groups, and major external convenings.
• Maintain continuity across initiatives by tracking priorities, timelines, decisions, action items, and follow-up responsibilities.
• Translate complex discussions into concise summaries, briefing materials, strategic memos, and decision-support documents.
• Identify coordination gaps, stakeholder needs, and emerging risks across initiatives and partnerships.
• Support executive-level relationship management working with NRRI Executive Director and ensure strong follow-through across external commitments.
• Coordinate and communicate across researchers, leadership, communications, and external partners to keep strategic initiatives moving forward.

• Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement (30%)
• Serve as steward of NRRI's institutional CRM and maintain relationship intelligence across industry, Tribal, philanthropic, government, academic, and community partners.
• Develop engagement plans and track institutional touchpoints, relationship history, next steps, and opportunities.
• Prepare stakeholder profiles, briefing materials, presentations, and partner background documents.
• Lead logistics, follow-up, and relationship management activities tied to strategic partnerships.
• Support relationship development across partner organizations, collaborators, and institutional stakeholders.
• Operate thoughtfully within culturally, politically, and publicly sensitive engagement environments.
• Ensure alignment with University of Minnesota partners, government relations teams, and other institutional offices as appropriate.

• Communications Integration, Institutional Positioning & Intelligence (30%)
• Engage closely with communications staff to ensure alignment between engagement activities, partnerships, and institutional priorities.
• Support messaging development, presentations, and strategic communications tied to high-priority initiatives.
• Develop written content including briefing documents, outreach materials, talking points, and executive presentations.
• Contribute to horizon scanning for emerging opportunities, funding trends, policy developments, and strategic risks relevant to NRRI priorities.
• Help strengthen proactive planning and institutional positioning across major initiatives.
• Support development of partner communications…