Manager, Business Partner Engagement

Manager, Business Partner Engagement

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, Office-Based, Exempt
LOCATION: Kansas City, Kansas; Hybrid
REPORTS TO: Director of Programs & Experiences

POSITION & ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:
The Manager of Business Partner Engagement is a key connector between education and industry, responsible for cultivating and activating strong relationships with 3DE business partners to bring learning to life for students through customized case challenges. This role ensures that business partners are not only engaged but deeply committed in creating transformative experiences for students through 3DE’s innovative model. You will lead efforts to source, recruit, and steward business professionals to serve as volunteers, ensuring their participation is meaningful, well-prepared, and aligned with 3DE model implementation standards. Success in this role requires a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset to optimize processes, strengthen relationships, and deliver exceptional relationship management for business partners. The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship builder with outstanding organizational and communication skills, leading to an exceptional experience for students through business partner activation. 

Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City teaches kids crucial financial decision-making skills and cultivates their entrepreneurial mindset, helping them find their passion and design a promising career. With over a century of success, Junior Achievement is the leader in experiential learning, redesigning the K-12 education experience to create economic opportunity and mobility for all youth. 3DE by Junior Achievement is transforming high school education to accelerate economic opportunity and mobility. 3DE was designed with and is implemented in partnership with school districts to make high school more relevant, experiential, and connected to the real world through project-based learning, case methodology, and competency development. Our goal is to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow’s economy, providing them with the opportunity for a choice-filled life.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Relationship Management & Activation

• Build and maintain strong relationships with 3DE business partners, ensuring their engagement is impactful and aligned with the mission of 3DE and JAKC
• Serve as the primary liaison for business partner champion, providing clear communication, guidance, and support throughout case activation and volunteer engagement
• Nurture relationships with volunteers and business partner champions by fostering trust and shared purpose, creating experiences that reinforce their value and strengthen long-term partnership.

Volunteer Sourcing & Engagement

• Activate local 3DE business partners through volunteer engagement, aligning business partner expectations with school activation plans.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for national 3DE case partners implemented locally, ensuring representation from diverse industries to maximize the student’s experience.
• Prepare, train, and steward all 3DE volunteers through every stage of their engagement journey, delivering a positive experience that fosters repeat participation and advocacy to others. 

Model Integration & Experience Design

• Work with school teams to develop processes that seamlessly integrate business partner engagement into school operations, ensuring partners have welcoming and well-organized experience while on site.
• Work collaboratively with local 3DE implementation staff, and business representatives to plan and execute on-site and off-site capstone experiences for students. 
• Anticipate and resolve challenges related to sourcing, training, and supporting volunteers, ensuring smooth execution and positive outcomes for students, school-based teams, and business partners.

Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence

• Contribute to the development of the overall strategic vision for business partner integration for the 3DE local market, ensuring students experience a wide range of industries and perspectives. 
• Leverage data and feedback to make informed decisions about business partner engagement, volunteer preparedness, and case activation efficiency driving continuous improvement. 
• Effectively utilize established systems and processes to accurately register, track, and report on business partner volunteer engagement, retention and satisfaction. 
• Other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

• Passion for the mission of JAKC and 3DE, with a growth mindset to innovate and create meaningful change
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in partnership development, account management, or volunteer management required, with preference given to nonprofit experience.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a focus on building relationships and effectively soliciting volunteers.
• Demonstrated success in managing projects or programs, with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to confidently prepare for partner meetings by gathering relevant information, setting clear objectives, and driving successful outcomes.
• Demonstrates a strong ability to work effectively within a team, fostering open communication and shared goals to achieve successful projects.
• Lead with integrity and a commitment to maintain confidentiality of information
• Demonstrated confidence to prepare for conversations and visits with business partners by gathering key information and setting strong objectives to achieve a successful outcome.
• High degree of integrity and a desire to work in a collaborative culture.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite and experience using a CRM system and volunteer management tools, with willingness to learn new systems.
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of cultural and ethnic diversity of constituents, staff and other community partners.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The Manager of Business Partner Engagement position is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing, mission-driven organization. Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City offices are located in a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art facility centrally located in Kansas City, KS. The organization offers a fun, welcoming workplace with high employee engagement as our top priority.

JAKC offers a competitive compensation package with comprehensive plans available to support your health and wellness, including health insurance, generous paid time-off, 401k, and many other benefit offerings. Salary considerations start at $56,000, with education and experience considered.

JAKC is dedicated to life-work balance and offers the opportunity for a hybrid work model and flexibility in scheduling. This role is expected to work 60% of the time in the office or community on behalf of JAKC, and theremaining 40% of the time may be worked remotely with an agreed upon schedule after 30 days of employment. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. In addition, it does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

JAKC’s success depends on our ability to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. We’re committed to attracting, developing, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce and infusing DEI throughout all our internal practices. Every JAKC employee brings diverse talents to our work, and we encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds and all walks of life to apply.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Kate Hood, Director of Programs & Experiences, via e-mail at khood@jagkc.org. Please put “Manager, Business Partner Engagement” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis through December 5th, 2025 or until the position is filled.