Job Alert! Partner and Community Engagement Manager

Partner and Community Engagement Manager

About the Dallas Innovation Alliance

The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) is a 501c3 consortium of stakeholders across sectors including public, private, civic and academic. Founded in 2015 to support the City of Dallas’ smart cities strategy and execution, the DIA defines a smart city as one that lives at the intersection of community, data and technology to improve quality of life, inclusive economic growth and resource efficiency. Since 2018, the DIA has focused on challenges of equity in mobility, digital inclusion and public safety. This work has culminated in the creation of the digital inclusion program Connected Dallas.

About the Connected Dallas Program

The Connected Dallas is an initiative of the Dallas Innovation Alliance that provides comprehensive digital access support across Dallas. Since 2022, the program has served nearly 20,000 residents. Connected Dallas intends to ensure that community members are well-informed, trained, and connected to the internet, devices, and all services that require connectivity through in-person, online, phone and text support. The foundation of this program was built by the  National Digital Inclusion Alliance’s Digital Navigator model. 

Job Overview

The Partner and Community Engagement Manager is a pivotal role focused on fostering strong relationships with DIA partners and community organizations to expand collective impact and drive meaningful program outcomes. This role emphasizes building collaborative relationships to strengthen program reach, effectiveness, and community engagement.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on engagement managing the activities and performance of the Connected Dallas team, ensuring their efforts align with program goals and organizational standards. Key responsibilities include planning and coordinating community activities, developing high-quality programs, creating and monitoring budgets, performance metrics, and supervising program personnel.

Required Education and Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three (3) years of relevant experience are required, with non-profit management experience preferred; equivalent experience may substitute for education, up to four (4) years.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Team Management and Leadership: 

  • Collaborate with community members, organizations, and key stakeholders to identify opportunities for program and service integration, fostering teamwork among diverse partners to address community needs.

  • Direct management of Community Engagement Coordinator

  • Lead and mentor the Digital Ambassador team, ensuring they provide excellent support to community members.

  • Conduct ongoing training and performance evaluations to help the team grow and stay aligned with company goals.

Community Engagement and Partnership Development: 

  • Foster a sense of belonging and trust by establishing relationships with key community members.

  • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with local organizations, schools, government agencies, businesses, and community groups to advance collective impact efforts and expand program outreach.

  • Improve program operations by coordinating and sharing programming calendars with partners and within the community, promoting collaboration to maximize resource utilization and streamline event planning.

  • Serving as the primary point of contact for Community Anchor Site needs, providing direct support, and escalating issues to DIA leadership as required.

  • Regularly evaluate partnership effectiveness to ensure mutually beneficial relationships that align with the mission of Connected Dallas.

  • Suggest and implement improvements to programs and services

Data Tracking

  • Track, support, and evaluate program data to ensure program goals and key performance metrics are met, optimizing service delivery and impact.

  • Monitor and report on metrics related to community and partner engagement, as well as community events, ensuring initiatives are informed by data and aligned with community needs.

  • Analyze data to assess program effectiveness while tracking and monitoring budgets, and managing programming operating expenses.

Critical Skills and Aptitudes

  • Success in roles requiring project management and execution of multiple tasks while responding to multiple priorities. 

  • Proven ability to work with efficiency and with flexibility, using an agile approach for continuous improvement. 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as comfort presenting to external groups.

  • Proven ability to communicate the value of partnerships and develop strategies to establish, maintain and grow relationships with partners.

  • Knowledge of community programs and familiarity with community landscapes and needs. 

  • Bilingual a plus!

Work Environment & Benefits

The DIA follows a hybrid work policy, the balance of onsite to virtual is dictated by the program needs to fulfill stated responsibilities above. This role will involve substantial time dedicated to on-site presence with our Connected Dallas program and community partners, with some evenings and weekends required on an as-needed basis. Comp-time will be provided for significant outside-of-work hour commitments.

This role is full-time salaried with benefits. The  Dallas Innovation Alliance covers 50 percent of employee healthcare plans, and offers a flexible paid-time off policy which includes vacation, personal, and sick leave. Ten paid Federal holidays are observed, as well as a floating birthday holiday. Additional benefits include retirement plan contributions and a monthly wellness stipend beginning after 60 days with the organization.

The Dallas Innovation Alliance is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. Dallas Innovation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries and a pleasant working environment. 

To apply, please email info@dallasinnovationalliance.com with your resume and the subject line referencing this job posting. Please no phone calls, faxes, or in-person resume drop-offs. Please reference where you saw this posting. 

Job Type: Full-time

Compensation: $55,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year. Salary is commensurate with experience. 

Must live in the Dallas area and have reliable transportation to communities across the city.


Telecompetitor: Unique Partnerships Spur Texas Broadband and Innovation, Says Alliance Leader

September 3, 2024 - Ian Doescher, Telecompetitor

While city and state governments may move slowly, a nonprofit organization has the agility to convene people, test ideas, and work faster. That’s the model thriving in Texas, where the North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) and Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) are helping push broadband expansion and innovation forward.

Telecompetitor spoke with Jennifer Sanders, who serves as executive director and is a cofounder of both the NTXIA and DIA. Sanders recommends the model of a nonprofit working alongside local governments to help foster partnerships.

“I describe us as straddling the line,” said Sanders. “We have relationships with different sectors, the ability to convene and do matchmaking, and connect the dots among various entities. We have flexibility.”

Texas’ Broadband Challenges

Sanders identified four primary challenges that Texas’ broadband expansion efforts face — dispersed geography, permitting, funding distribution, and the roles of the public versus private sectors:

  1. In a state that happily proclaims, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” it’s no surprise that the state’s dispersed geography is a challenge. Sanders says there are important decisions to be made on the best methods for bringing broadband to various areas in Texas: “Should rural areas have satellite, because of the cost of building hundreds of miles of fiber? Is 5G a better way, so we don’t need that last-mile fiber?”

  2. Sanders said permitting is a challenge when networks cross county lines. “I’ve learned what I didn’t know I didn’t know, like microtrenching is only possible in certain areas, and the depth changes six inches from here to here,” she said, describing these challenges as “Hyper-local barriers to doing things in a new way.”

  3. Making sense of the funding distribution from the federal to the state level is challenging in Texas. Sanders said communities don’t know how the Texas broadband office will split things up. “This leaves them asking: ‘What do we plan for? What do we design? What will we be able to build out?’”

  4. The fourth challenge Sanders named is the public sector versus private sector’s role for broadband expansion, and how to make sure both sides understand the benefit. “First, how do you explain to fiscal hawks why this expansion makes sense? Then, how do you make sure the bleeding hearts understand this is still about the people? It’s both — people are connected to the internet and there can be operational savings.”


    Unique Partnerships for Texas Broadband Expansion

    Sanders described multiple partnerships she has seen that help address some of these challenges.

    The partnership story Sanders loves to tell is about four small towns in Texas that banded together to attract broadband providers to their area: Corinth, Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, and Shady Shores, collectively known as the Lake Cities.

    “They saw that they weren’t attracting the attention of big providers, weren’t getting meetings,” said Sanders. But, despite the challenges of aligning four mayors and four city governments, the Lake Cities moved forward with a joint RFP for an in-line amplification (ILA).

    According to Sanders, the project began construction last year and has been designed such that progress is being made in all four towns at once, with no duplication or overlap.

    “[The Lake Cities] never brag on themselves — they always say, ‘But we’re tiny.’ But I think they should be proud,” said Sanders, emphasizing that a partnership among four towns is a difficult feat to achieve.

    Among unique initiatives, Sanders also listed Connected Dallas’ Digital Ambassador Program — a digital equity program funded by public dollars — and the City of Arlington’s Economic Development department, which made broadband deployments easier by alleviating certain permit requirements. She describes these initiatives as a unique way local Texas governments are “keeping their eyes on the north star” of broadband for all.

    When it comes to looking for partnerships, Sanders recommended looking at organizations that have convening power. “This type of bringing people together function might best be done by chamber of commerce or a university. Rather than creating something independently, see who has the right ingredients.”

Dallas Innovation Alliance and CARDBoard Project Present the Second Annual Get Connected Dallas Event: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity


 

Dallas Innovation Alliance and CARDBoard Project Present the Second Annual

Get Connected Dallas Event: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity

 

DALLAS, TX – September 26, 2024 – The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) and CARDBoard Project are back with a thrilling new edition of Get Connected Dallas. Set for Saturday, October 5th, at For Oak Cliff, this event will kick off Dallas Digital Inclusion Week, bringing the latest in tech, connection, and innovation to the heart of the community.

This year’s event, made possible by Santander Consumer USA, Capital One, and EY, features live performances, workshops, tech exhibits, and cutting-edge interactive experiences. It’s the perfect place to learn, connect, and get inspired by Dallas’ brightest tech minds. Check out all the activities to get stamped for raffle entries, including laptops, State Fair tickets, gift cards, and more! To keep guests in the fair spirit, enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, and make a stop at the digital caricature artist before you shop at the For Oak Cliff Farmer’s Market!

Unleash Your Creativity with the Innovate & Create Digital Art Challenge

New this year is the highly anticipated Innovate & Create Digital Art Challenge, in collaboration with the City of Dallas Office of Community Care, Arts & Culture, and the Dallas Public Library. Artists across the city have been working on innovative digital masterpieces, and now the top finalists will take the stage at Get Connected Dallas! Attendees will have the unique opportunity to **vote live** for their favorite artwork as it’s showcased throughout the event. The Audience Choice Award winner will receive prizes including a laptop, a family pack of State Fair of Texas tickets and more!

 

Submissions are now open until October 1st at 8:00pm!

The winner, crowned by public vote, will take home exclusive prizes and gain recognition as a digital art trailblazer in the Dallas community. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a tech enthusiast, this competition will demonstrate the powerful intersection of creativity and technology.

Robot Petting Zoo: A Futuristic Playground

Another highlight not to be missed by kids and adults alike is the awe-inspiring Robot Petting Zoo, presented by RobotLab, Trilogy NextGen Solutions, and BEST of Texas. Here, you can meet, greet, and even "pet" a variety of robots designed for education, industry, and fun! Interact with cutting-edge robotics technology that’s shaping the future—from agile robotic arms to friendly AI companions, this exhibit is an interactive exploration of the tech that’s transforming the world around us.

 

This experience isn’t just for tech lovers—it’s for anyone curious about the future of robotics and how these advancements can impact our everyday lives. Whether you’re 9 or 90, the Robot

Petting Zoo will spark your imagination and show you how robots are becoming part of our world.

 

Entertainment to Keep You on Your Feet

The Get Connected Dallas event promises high-energy performances from DJ 13lackbeard, the official DJ of the Dallas Cowboys, who will be spinning tracks that will keep the crowd moving all day long. SpaceBoi Fresh, a crowd-favorite MC, will bring his vibrant energy to the stage as he hosts the event and engages the audience. Infinite Arts Movement will join the action onstage at 12:00pm.

 

Get Connected

Getting connected to the internet and to the resources available are a huge part of Get Connected Dallas - explore workshops to sharpen your digital skills in cybersecurity and design and visit our "10-Step Resource Alley" showcasing organizations that provide access to services ranging from transportation and shopping to education.

“This event is more than just a tech showcase—it’s a celebration of innovation, creativity, and community to provide human and digital connection," said Jennifer Sanders, Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance. "We can’t wait for attendees to experience these exciting additions, from the art challenge to the robot petting zoo, workshops, and incredible live performances."

Armando Cantu, Executive Director of the CARDBoard Project, added: "Get Connected Dallas is about bringing people together to bridge the digital divide. We’re not just talking about access to the internet—we're talking about empowering our community with tools for better education, job training, and healthcare. Events like this are vital for showing everyone how technology can improve their lives."

 

Event Details:

·       Date: Saturday, October 5th, 2024

·       Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm

·       Location: For Oak Cliff, 907 E Ledbetter Dr, Dallas, TX 75216

·       Admission: Free and open to all

For more information, and to register, visit www.getconnecteddallas.org.

Join us for a day packed with music, art and tech, and help us bridge the digital divide, one connection at a time.

About Dallas Innovation Alliance
The Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of the City of Dallas' smart cities strategy. We define a smart city as one that lives at the intersection of data, technology, and community to improve quality of life, economic development, and resource efficiency. Through collaboration, we develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges for the benefit of the City and its residents.

About CARDBoard Project
CARDBoard Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded on November 2, 2016, with a mission to bridge the digital gap and educate under-resourced communities on the importance of internet access and assistance in navigating digital tools. Our goal is to provide resources to help our guests achieve self-sufficiency.