Scholar Engagement & Support Manager

The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) unites and empowers remarkable military veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Inspired by Pat Tillman, who proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country, family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Over the last 20 years, the Pat Tillman Foundation has supported nearly 1,000 Tillman Scholars as they’ve furthered their education and increased their professional impact in the world.

PTF seeks a mid-career, lifelong learning professional to assist in the management, oversight, and execution of various programs and engagement for the Tillman Scholars program.  The Manager for the Programs and Leadership team, reports to the Associate Director of Programs and Leadership, has no direct reports, but indirectly manages many projects for PTF. The Manager will be entrusted with a great deal of autonomy and needs to be innovative and creative while having the ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing, highly collaborative environment. This role will be a thought partner to the Associate Director of Programs and Leadership and act as spokesperson and ambassador for PTF and its community. 

We understand that people gain skills through various professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. If you believe you have the skills to succeed in this role, regardless of industry, we encourage you to apply. 

Who You Are

Highly Organized & Proactive Coordinator: You excel at managing multiple tasks, tracking project details (adeptly using tools like Asana), and prioritizing effectively to ensure program activities, communications, and events run smoothly and meet deadlines. You value transparent processes but are resourceful and can work effectively with minimal direction to support team objectives.

Program-Focused Collaborator: You understand how efficient program support, clear communication, and strong Scholar engagement directly contribute to the Foundation's mission. You proactively collaborate with Programs and Leadership team members, Tillman Scholars, and other departments (like Marketing and Development) to ensure seamless information flow and achieve specific program goals (like supporting PTLS logistics or coordinating communication calendars).

Adaptable & Responsive: You navigate changing priorities and new information effectively, readily adjusting your approach to meet evolving program needs, whether it's pivoting on virtual event plans, managing Scholar requests, or responding to new data insights.

Mission-Driven & Engaging Communicator: Genuinely motivated by the Foundation's mission, you enjoy interacting with and supporting Tillman Scholars. You contribute positively to their experience by ensuring clear, timely communication (via email, social media, Tillman Connect), supporting engaging events, and facilitating access to resources like Professional Development Funds.

Detail-Oriented & Process-Minded: With a keen eye for detail, you accurately manage program administration, track essential Scholar data and engagement in Salesforce, and analyze program feedback (assessments/evaluations). You look for practical ways to improve communication, data tracking, and event logistics workflows for better efficiency and user experience.

Committed to Tangible Impact: You are passionate about making a direct difference for the Tillman Scholar community. You translate this by diligently supporting program execution, managing logistics, ensuring Scholars connect with resources, and contributing to the overall success of initiatives that empower veterans and their families.

What You'll Do:

• Support Program Execution & Planning: Provide comprehensive assistance to the Associate Director of Programs and Leadership across the full lifecycle of Tillman Scholar programs and events – from initial planning and logistical coordination through successful execution and post-program reporting.

• Facilitate Scholar Communication & Engagement: Act as a key facilitator for communication between the Programs and Leadership team and Tillman Scholars, managing inquiries, coordinating engagement efforts via email and social media (in partnership with Marketing), and overseeing platforms like Tillman Connect to share resources effectively.

• Coordinate Virtual & In-Person Events: Take the lead on coordinating virtual events for Scholars and provide crucial logistical support for major in-person gatherings, including assisting with planning for the Pat Tillman Leadership Summit (PTLS).

• Manage Key Scholar Program Components: Oversee specific program elements critical to the Scholar experience, such as managing the Professional Development Fund application process, handling Scholar requests efficiently, and coordinating engagement initiatives for Scholar Leaders (SLIC).

• Drive Project Workflow & Tracking: Utilize project management tools, particularly Asana, to meticulously track tasks, manage timelines for program activities (including communication calendars), and ensure a smooth, organized workflow for the Programs team.

• Administer Program Data & Evaluation: Manage the creation and analysis of program assessments and evaluations to track learning outcomes while maintaining accurate Scholar data, engagement records, and contact information within Salesforce. Salesforce experience is preferred

• Collaborate Across Foundation Teams: Work effectively with colleagues in other departments, serving as a liaison for program needs, such as coordinating with the Development team on in-kind sponsorships for PTLS or aligning communication schedules with the Marketing team.

• Contribute to Team & Mission Goals: Undertake other related duties and special projects as assigned, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to supporting the overall objectives of the Programs team and the Pat Tillman Foundation mission.

This position will report to the Associate Director of Programs and Leadership and is based in Chicago, IL. Ex. Periodic travel is required. The position is available immediately.

Based in Chicago, the Pat Tillman Foundation offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative and welcoming environment where passionate and curious thinkers will thrive.