West End Research Coordinator

City of Rock Island•Rock Island, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Martin Luther King Center is seeking a Research Coordinator to serve as the backbone support for a collective impact model aimed at transforming the West End of Rock Island. This role is crucial for building the West End community’s wealth, power, and livability by bringing together diverse stakeholders and leading a synchronized effort towards a common goal. The Project Coordinator will provide day-to-day support and facilitation for the West End Revitalization effort, working collaboratively with community partners, the steering committee, and other stakeholders to achieve lasting, positive change.

Requirements

A minimum of 3 years of work experience.
1 or more years of proven community outreach and coordination experience.
The presence to inspire confidence and passion in external audiences and to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders.
Advanced project management skills.
Ability to thrive in a fluid, unstructured, entrepreneurial environment without formal training.
Flexibility and the ability to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed.
Commitment to the collective impact concepts.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Strong community engagement and facilitation skills.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).
Existing relationships with, or ability to build relationships with, a cross-sectoral range of stakeholders in the local or regional area.
Commitment to the mission of West End Revitalization.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a valid Class D Illinois driver’s license or an equivalent license from the employee’s state of residence.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a list of community partners and upcoming events.
Organize outreach based on the list of community partners and upcoming events, including follow-up.
Coordinate research and other activities with initiative partners to minimize redundancies and align strategies and actions.
Conduct individual outreach and education as needed.
Work with the Steering Committee to update the outreach strategy as new needs emerge.
Coordinate with other related projects and coalitions to understand the current landscape of local and regional activities and integrate their work into Steering Committee and workgroup processes.
Build and maintain relationships with community partners.
Maintain an understanding of current implementation challenges and develop comprehensive solutions.
Provide support to partner organizations in aligning their work to a common agenda.
Coordinate advocacy supporting activities of partners.
Communicate the objectives of the West End Revitalization to the community and potential partners.
Facilitate ongoing communication between West End Revitalization partners through regular conference calls, in-person meetings, or email updates.
Plan and manage logistics of community events, and attend them.
Create or manage the creation of regular summary reports of West End Revitalization progress.
Develop communications materials as the West End Revitalization evolves.
Develop web and social media strategy.
Compile and maintain a list of press clippings.
Create press strategy, including drafting press releases and coordinating with media outlets.
Identify potential funding sources to support West End Revitalization’s goals and priorities.
Write grants or coordinate the work of a grant writer.
Work with implementing agencies to provide information to support their grant applications.
Coordinate West End Revitalization grant reporting to funders.
Track all West End Revitalization funding.
Coordinate indicator refinement with workgroups and the Steering Committee.
Ensure all partners are aware of targets and indicators.
Create or manage the creation of yearly summary reports of West End Revitalization progress.
Coordinate the work of a data manager or consultant.