Conference & Stateholder Manager

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Conference & Stakeholder Manager serves as a central connector, facilitator, and project manager supporting collaborative initiatives that advance organizational and network priorities for both the Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) and its partner Volgenau Climate Initiative (VCI). This role integrates stakeholder engagement, convening coordination, and project execution to ensure strategic programs translate into measurable outcomes. This position will support two initiatives, GOF’s Watershed conference and VCI’s State Public-Private Partnerships Network. The manager maintains momentum between convenings, supports cross-sector collaboration, and ensures alignment across internal teams, partners, and external stakeholders. This position reports to the Director of Marketing at the Great Outdoors Foundation.  

SUMMARY OF GREATOUTDOORS FOUNDATION

The Great Outdoors Foundation is a nonprofit organization that advances conservation through innovation, collaboration, and stewardship. GOF brings together corporate partners, government agencies, agricultural stakeholders, and conservation leaders to advance bold, solutions-forward programs that protect land, water, and natural resources for future generations.

CORE COMPETENCIES  

• Strategic thinker with ability to manage multi-layered initiatives.
• Highly organized with strong project management skills.
• Relationship-oriented and collaborative across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communicator with ability to translate ideas into action.
• Agile and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

Stakeholder & Network Coordination

• Build and maintain relationships with partners, subject matter experts, and stakeholders.
• Engage participants and partners to strengthen collaboration and alignment.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for network members and collaborators.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration across stakeholders and working groups.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and cross-initiative alignment.
• Support recruitment and retention of participants and partners.

Convening & Programming Coordination

• Lead planning and coordination of workshops and convenings.
• Develop programming in collaboration with internal teams and stakeholders.
• Coordinate speakers, facilitators, and participants.
• Manage logistics, schedules, and communications for events.
• Facilitate discussions and capture key takeaways and next steps.
• Support ongoing engagement between formal convenings.

Project & Initiative Management

• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and workflows.
• Track progress on initiatives, deliverables, and milestones.
• Monitor risks, bottlenecks, and dependencies.
• Coordinate across teams to ensure alignment and execution.
• Support implementation of collaborative action plans and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure responsibilities and follow-through across stakeholders.

Communications & Knowledge Sharing

• Develop and distribute updates, reports, and communications.
• Share progress, insights, and opportunities across the network.
• Maintain consistent communication with stakeholders and leadership.
• Capture and communicate key insights from meetings and convenings.
• Support storytelling, reporting, and strategic messaging.

Information & Resource Management

• Maintain stakeholder lists and contact databases.
• Organize and manage shared documents, resources, and systems.
• Manage communication platforms and knowledge hubs.
• Ensure accessibility and visibility of key resources.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

• Track outcomes, partnerships, and progress across initiatives.
• Collect examples of impact, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Support reporting and evaluation requirements.
• Identify insights to improve future programming and strategy.

Vendor, Partner & External Coordination

• Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and partners.
• Manage timelines, deliverables, and expectations.
• Track performance and ensure quality execution.
• Assist with vendor sourcing and evaluation.

Strategic Support & Growth

• Identify emerging opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Support development of future initiatives and convenings.
• Provide insights into leadership based on stakeholder engagement.
• Contribute to strategy around collaboration, growth, and funding opportunities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, and three to five years of relevant experience preferred. Qualified candidates must be self-starters that are detail oriented, flexible and comfortable in a fast paced, constantly changing environment. Candidates must have the ability to think quickly and creatively. A strong sense of cooperation and strong communication skills are necessary, and passion for outdoor recreation/quality of life experiences is vital. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

BENEFITS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The Great Outdoors Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, LTD, STD, Life, retirement contributions, paid time off and standard holidays.

The physical and mental demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential job results. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve the essential job results.