Outreach & Engagement Program Manager, VEP

PenFed Credit Union • West McLean, VA

17d • Hybrid

About The Position

The PenFed Foundation for Military Heroes is hiring a (Hybrid) Outreach & Engagement Program Manager, VEP at our Tysons, Virginia location. The Outreach and Engagement Program Manager plays a critical and strategic role in the national growth of the PenFed Foundation s Veteran Entrepreneur Program. This position will build, lead, and scale outreach efforts to position the VEP as the gold standard for veteran entrepreneur programs nationwide. The Manager is a high-energy, mission-driven leader responsible for expanding national visibility, cultivating partnerships, and driving applicant, mentor, and donor engagement. This role will develop and implement outreach strategies, establish new relationships across the veteran, military, and entrepreneurship ecosystems, and collaborate with the Foundation s team to elevate the program s brand and impact. Regular travel to veteran job fairs, military installations, TAP events, entrepreneurship conferences, and partner convenings is required, as the Manager serves as the public-facing ambassador for the Veteran Entrepreneur Program - developing the relationships, infrastructure, and visibility that will drive its continued growth and national reputation. Equivalent combination of education and experience is considered. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job duties, and the position will perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in outreach, community engagement, business development, or veteran program promotion.
• Deep familiarity with veteran and military spouse communities, including TAP programs, DoD networks, and transition resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a professional and polished public presence.
• Proven ability to speak publicly, represent a brand, and connect with diverse stakeholders including funders, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit partners.
• Self-starter, comfortable working independently, and managing a dynamic travel schedule.
• Strong organizational and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency with email platforms, CRMs, Canva, and standard office tools.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Bachelor s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Travel nationally to attend and represent the PenFed Foundation at events such as veteran job fairs, TAP classes, entrepreneurship summits, innovation expos, pitch events, veteran business showcases, and regional/national veteran-serving conferences.
• Promote the Veteran Entrepreneur Program and Military Heroes Fund grant program to transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and community leaders.
• Recruit qualified applicants for both the accelerator and incubator programs across the country.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective speakers, mentors, judges, and subject matter experts to support VEP programming.
• Engage with donors, sponsors, and corporate/community stakeholders interested in supporting the veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Work in collaboration with the Program Director and other Foundation staff to align messaging, branding, and outreach materials.
• Collaborate with and support the efforts of Program Managers.
• Distribute marketing collateral and maintain an inventory of promotional materials for tabling, outreach, and follow-up.
• Track interactions, leads, and event outcomes in a shared CRM or reporting tool to support program growth and impact measurement.
• Represent the Foundation at high visibility speaking engagements and panel discussions when requested.
• Identify new event opportunities, communities, and media outlets that align with the Foundation s mission and audience.
• Support ecosystem mapping in new cities where incubators or accelerators may launch, assisting in identifying potential partners and allies.
• Provide post-event summaries, travel reports, and recommendations for continuous outreach improvement.

Benefits

• We provide our employees with a lucrative benefits package including robust medical, dental and vision plan options, plenty of paid time off, 401k with employer match, on-site fitness facilities at our larger locations, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees