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Strategic Partnerships Manager, Sno-Isle Libraries, Marysville Service Center, WA

Posted January 5, 2015

Starting Pay: $6,732.49 – $9,253.38 Monthly (2015 rate-40 hrs/wk)

This position will remain open until sufficient qualified applicants are received. Initial screening will begin January 19, 2015. To ensure first consideration your online application will need to be submitted by this date.

Sno-Isle Libraries is looking for a Strategic Partnerships Manager to provide leadership and direction of external relationships for the library district by establishing and maintaining strategic networks and partnerships. The position will develop effective working relationships between the organization and communities, stakeholders, public agencies, policy-makers, non-governmental organizations and groups at the local, regional, state and national level to meet the library district’s mission and strategic objectives.

Essential Functions:

  1. Serves as the primary liaison and provides leadership and support to local, regional, state and federal government officials, including elected officials, and relevant state agencies; build effective relationships in support of the Library District’s strategic objectives and initiatives.
  2. Maintain ongoing awareness of national, state and community-level issues affecting public libraries and the library district, including potential, pending or current legislation, regulatory action, decisions or issues.
  3. Provide strategic management, coordination, or support for local and strategic library events, ballot measures, and meetings, as needed.
  4. Provide management, planning, engagement support to state, regional and local political, economic and community development initiatives, organizations, partners and sponsors in alignment with library district’s strategic focus, objectives and initiatives.
  5. Maximize library participation in key local, regional and national based organizations.
  6. Research, evaluate, and execute effective strategic partnerships within government, education, non-profit, and business sectors.
  7. Consult and collaborate with library managers on community partnership level agreements and opportunities to ensure they are documented and filed with appropriate parties and the outcomes are evaluated.
  8. Manage the development and implementation of effective stakeholder and civic engagement strategies, including proactive engagement plans with external stakeholders, leaders and key staff in business and economic development communities, non-profit sector, and other key sectors who might influence and impact the library district or community libraries; ensure timely response to stakeholder needs, concerns, inquiries, and keep them informed of critical library issues.
  9. Develop and manage effective relationships through community ambassadors, Friends of the Library groups, volunteer programs and other initiatives; recruit and train volunteers to serve as library community ambassadors and advocates in building positive relationships and support throughout library communities.
  10. Develop effective internal relationships by collaborating and consulting with all departments, internal stakeholders and peers in implementing strategic partnerships and public affairs strategies; create value for the efforts of internal peers and leaders by participating and providing management support to cross-functional library teams.
  11. Provide effective direction to assigned staff to assure the quality of personnel support services. This includes such actions as: interviewing, selecting and training staff; scheduling and assigning tasks and services; coaching staff and arranging for or giving continuing training to enhance their capabilities and quality of service; applying Library District personnel policies and procedures to such matters as granting and scheduling leave, resolving grievances and discipline matters; evaluating staff performance and providing useful and helpful communication to staff on their performance; and promoting and terminating assigned staff members.
  12. Provide oversight, strategic management and supervisory direction which enables the Volunteer Program Administrator to build and maintain effective relationships with targeted groups. This includes the development and delivery of recognition events to celebrate library volunteers, Friends of the Library community groups and a variety of other groups.
  13. Develop and manage program budget and work plan strategy, as well as multiple projects, including budget development, monitoring and reports.
  14. Develop scopes of work and participate in selection of consultants/contracted services; monitor project budget, timeline and performance of contractor when assigned as project manager.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Continually acquire new knowledge and update skills to enhance professional performance in all areas of responsibility.
  2. Serve as a member of the Communications Managers team in support of the Communications Director and senior leadership objectives and initiatives.
  3. Collaborates with Communication Director to plan, organize and implement community or strategic events.
  4. Monitor and report work metrics for dashboard evaluation and effectiveness analysis.
  5. Prepares business correspondence, reports, news releases, ad copy and other marketing/communications materials.
  6. Attends meetings, trainings and workshops as assigned.
  7. Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  1. Thorough knowledge of established trends and practices in public relations, partnership or business development, government relations and public administration, civic engagement.
  2. Knowledge of strategic planning and program development including needs assessment and program evaluation.
  3. Knowledge of public library mission, structure, administration, policies and procedures.
  4. Ability to demonstrate excellent professional judgment in a variety of settings and with individuals at all levels of the social strata.
  5. Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with diverse audiences.
  6. Ability to engage stakeholders and members of the community confidently, and respond to stressful and complex situations with presence and poise.
  7. Ability to be proactive, adaptable, and innovative within a dynamic environment.
  8. Ability to speak, read, write and understand English clearly and concisely.
  9. Ability to deliver presentations to a variety of public groups.
  10. Ability to develop and administer budgets and fiscal assets.
  11. Ability to work independently and to set priorities.
  12. Ability to work cooperatively and maintain effective interpersonal skills with the public and co-workers.
  13. Ability to translate organizational initiatives, objectives and business needs into effective strategies and execute and evaluate those strategies to ensure continued effectiveness.
  14. Ability to drive and hold a valid Washington State driver’s license.
  15. Ability to operate relevant computer systems including hardware and software, such as Microsoft, Word, electronic databases, e-mail, and internet navigation in addition to other office equipment and security systems.

Education and Experience:

  1. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as business, communications, community relations, civic engagement, public affairs, or political science is required.
  2. Five to seven years of experience in one or more of the following: business, business development, communications, community relations, civic engagement, public and government affairs, public administration, library administration or stakeholder engagement.
  3. Two years of experience in supervision is required.
  4. Experience working in a library or public sector environment is highly desired.

Apply online at www.sno-isle.org/employment. (Paper applications are no longer being accepted.) Online applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Incomplete applications may disqualify you. Resumes and letters of interest may be attached at your option, but will not be accepted as a substitute for a completed Sno-Isle application. Questions may be directed to Human Resources at:

Sno-Isle Libraries, Human Resources
Marysville Service Center 
7312 35th Avenue NE, Marysville WA 98271-7417 
Website: http://www.sno-isle.org/employment 
Phone (360) 651-7000, (425) 339-1711
Fax (360) 651-7151
Job Line (360) 651-7040
TTY 1 (800) 647-3753

Applications will be screened and applicants who best match the needs of posted positions will be contacted by phone if selected for an interview. The hiring process can take a minimum of 4 to 8 weeks. Applicants who need accommodations during the application or interview process should contact the Human Resources Department (360) 651-7000.

All offers of employment are conditioned on the provision of satisfactory proof of applicant’s identity and legal authority to work in the U.S. Offers of employment are also conditioned on Sno-Isle’s receipt of satisfactory responses to reference requests and a criminal background check, when required.

NOTE: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Sno-Isle Libraries is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, physical, or mental disability, or the use of any trained guide or service dog by a disabled person. Persons who speak a language(s) in addition to English are encouraged to apply.

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