Community Engagement Manager

Motown Museum • Detroit, MI

1d

About The Position

The Community Engagement Manager primarily organizes, oversees and directly executes programs focused on engaging the community in the museums mission. This role strengthens Motown Museum’s connection to Detroit’s neighborhoods, cultural partners, educators, and creative communities. This role also builds and maintains strategic relationships, represents the Museum publicly, and expands the visibility of Motown Museum and Hitsville NEXT through authentic, impactful engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred (communications, community development, arts administration, social sciences, or related field).
• 2–4 years of experience in community engagement, partnership development, outreach, or related field.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication and public speaking ability
• High cultural competency and deep familiarity with Detroit’s creative and community landscape
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate community needs into opportunities
• Organized, reliable, and able to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Comfortable attending events, speaking publicly, and representing the Museum
• Forward-thinking collaborator
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general comfort with technology

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with Detroit’s arts and cultural ecosystem is a strong plus

Responsibilities

• Oversee and execute the Museum’s Summer Series, ensuring the programming reflects community needs, creative interests and the Museum's mission.
• Lead the planning, creation and execution of additional community-focused events throughout the year, designed to strengthen the Museum’s connection to Detroit residents, creatives and partner organizations.
• Collaborate with internal departments to coordinate logistics for all community-engaging activities, including scheduling, outreach, and on-site engagement.
• Support other Museum programs and initiatives as needed, which may include tasks such as coordinating schedules, assisting with paperwork, preparing materials and helping with event-day operations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Motown Museum and local organizations, cultural institutions, schools, and community groups.
• In coordination with the Museum’s leadership and strategic vision, Identify, build, and maintain strategic partnerships that broaden awareness, participation, and support for the Museum’s mission.
• Represent the Museum at designated community meetings, events, forums, and civic gatherings.
• Develop outreach strategies aimed at engaging youth, creatives, educators, and Detroit residents.
• Represent the Museum in media interviews, speaking engagements, community panels, and press opportunities as assigned.
• Attend and support Museum-related community events both on- and off-site.
• Coordinate the Museum’s presence at external community events, ensuring brand alignment and mission-centered storytelling.
• Collaborate with local artists, creatives, and community leaders to support cultural initiatives that uplift Motown’s legacy and the stories of Detroit.
• Connect talent with community programs, events, and opportunities that increase visibility for both the artists and the Museum.
• Contribute ideas and opportunities that align with community needs and cultural trends.
• Work with the Creative and Marketing teams to ensure community engagement efforts are accurately and consistently amplified across digital platforms, newsletters, and press releases.
• Develop content ideas (not execution) that highlight community collaborations and impact stories.
• Provide notes, insights, and community perspectives that inform marketing and outreach campaigns.
• Maintain accurate budget tracking for community engagement programs.
• Develop evaluation methods to collect data and feedback from program participants and community stakeholders.
• Track community engagement metrics, partnership outcomes, and participation trends.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to leadership about community needs, relationship opportunities, and engagement impact.
• Contribute to the community engagement sections of grant proposals and final reports.
• Participate in full team effort events and programs sponsored by the Museum.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager