Community Engagement Manager, Emerging Technologies

Responsibilities

• Emerging Technology & Education Research Engagement - 40%
• Develop expertise in emerging technologies and research infrastructure relevant to Merit's community, initially including sensor networks and research IoT, quantum networking, AI democratization, and cyberinfrastructure. (E)
• Build relationships with higher education, research, and technology stakeholders to understand emerging needs, challenges, and opportunities. (E)
• Lead consultative discovery to understand technical and organizational requirements and identify opportunities where Merit's infrastructure, services, expertise, or partnerships can create value. (E)
• Translate complex technology trends and research requirements into actionable business, partnerships, service, and strategic opportunities for Merit and its community. (E)
• Monitor research and education technology trends, participate in relevant professional communities, and represent Merit as a knowledgeable resource and collaborative partner.
• Partner across Merit to evaluate emerging opportunities and contribute to market research, solution development, and go-to-market strategies.
• Rural Health Care Program Growth & Healthcare Engagement - 30%
• Lead Merit’s Rural Health Care (RHC) Program , serving as the subject matter and business development lead expert on FCC/USAC requirements in order to identify where these technologies create opportunities for Merit and our members. (E)
• In coordination with Engagement department resources, develop the Engagement strategy to achieve the 10% RHC adoption-growth goal including development of a targeted pipeline of prospective RHC participants, particularly healthcare organizations and eligible higher education institutions with a heavy focus on rural entities. (E)

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, business, telecommunications, higher education, research administration, public policy, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least five (5) years of experience in business development, consultative technology engagement, higher education, research technology, telecommunications, healthcare technology, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and business opportunities within higher education, research, healthcare, government, or nonprofit environments.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical concepts and communicate their relevance to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience conducting discovery and translating organizational or technical requirements into potential solutions, partnerships, or business opportunities.
• Experience developing business plans, engagement strategies, proposals, presentations, or similar business-development materials.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, including experience communicating with executive, technical, research, and community audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to independently research and develop expertise in rapidly evolving technologies and programs.
• Ability to develop and manage multiple opportunities and initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience working within or supporting higher education and research environments.
• Knowledge of research and education networking and advanced networking infrastructure including familiarity with Internet of Things (IoT), sensor networks, edge computing, research data infrastructure, AI infrastructure, quantum networking, or related emerging technologies.
• Experience developing technology pilots, research partnerships, public-private partnerships, or multi-institutional collaborations.
• Experience with federal technology, research, broadband, or healthcare funding programs such as the FCC Universal Service Fund and Rural Health Care Program, particularly the Healthcare Connect Fund as well as engaging with healthcare organizations.