Community Engagement Manager

ABOUT CURESEARCH

Every day, 42 families hear the devastating words, “Your child has cancer.” At CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, we accelerate bold, high-impact research while activating local communities to fuel our mission.

We are a fully remote, collaborative, mission-driven organization committed to a volunteer-led, staff-supported model that elevates community leadership and expands CureSearch’s national reach.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Community Engagement Manager (CEM) is a relationship-centered fundraiser responsible for growing CureSearch’s presence and impact across assigned markets. The CEM empowers, guides, and partners with Leadership Volunteers such as Community Leadership Boards (CLBs) to grow regional fundraising, expand volunteer engagement, cultivate corporate relationships, and build meaningful connections with local patient families.

Importantly, this role also includes direct responsibility for guiding participants' fundraising efforts in our signature Ultimate Hike events, serving as a fundraising coach and mission ambassador for hikers in assigned markets, and working collaboratively with program staff.

This full-time, exempt role is remote. While all qualified applicants will be considered, strong preference will be given to those residing in Minnesota, Missouri, or Texas, and who have access to a major airport.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Community Leadership Boards (CLBs) & Volunteer Empowerment

• Recruit, onboard, and support CLB members in key regional markets.
• Partner with CLBs to develop and execute local fundraising, corporate outreach, marketing, and community engagement plans.
• Coach volunteer leaders, building their confidence and capacity to lead local initiatives independently.
• Partner with the CLB Chair to facilitate CLB meetings, strategic planning, progress reviews, and leadership development.
• Foster a strong, mission-driven volunteer culture grounded in ownership and collaboration.

Fundraising Coaching for Ultimate Hike Participants

• Serve as the primary fundraising coach for Ultimate Hike participants within assigned markets.
• Provide guidance through regular check-ins, individualized support, fundraising planning, and resource sharing.
• Work closely with the Senior Manager, Signature Events, to ensure a seamless participant experience - from recruitment through event weekend and post-event stewardship.
• Strengthen hikers’ connection to CureSearch’s mission through storytelling, updates, and local impact moments.
• Support regional recruitment efforts by engaging local volunteer leaders as Ultimate Hike coaches and ambassadors.
• Provide on-site event support for Ultimate Hike events in the assigned region, focused on cultivation and stewardship efforts

Community-Based Fundraising & Engagement

• Recruit and empower volunteer leaders and committees to plan and execute community fundraising events such as Walks, Community Hikes, and other volunteer-led initiatives.
• Support volunteer-led ideas and initiatives by offering coaching, templates, and best practices.
• Represent CureSearch at regional events, civic group meetings, and community engagement opportunities - ideally alongside volunteer leaders.
• Provide onsite support for community-based fundraising events to ensure a mission-forward participant experience.

Corporate Partnerships

• Partner with CLBs to identify and cultivate local and regional corporate prospects.
• Coach volunteer leaders to initiate or strengthen local corporate outreach, providing strategy, messaging, and materials.
• Support CLBs in stewarding sponsorships, employee engagement opportunities, and workplace fundraising teams.
• Serve as a staff collaborator in meetings as needed, ensuring alignment with CureSearch priorities.

Patient-Family Engagement

• Build supportive, meaningful relationships with families impacted by childhood cancer in the region.
• Partner with families to participate in mission storytelling, volunteerism, fundraising leadership, or awareness activities - always in ways that feel appropriate and empowering.
• Connect families to CLBs and local opportunities that honor their lived experience.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Track volunteer activity, revenue progress, and fundraising performance using CRM systems.
• Conduct debriefs with CLBs and volunteer leaders to celebrate wins and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide insights and market updates to the Director and peers to strengthen the national community engagement strategy.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• Bachelor’s degree OR 5+ years of experience in community engagement, peer-to-peer fundraising, volunteer management, or related fields.
• Experience coaching volunteers or fundraisers, with comfort in guiding others’ fundraising efforts.
• Strong relationship-builder able to engage volunteers, patient families, and corporate partners.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• A coaching-oriented, empowering style that aligns with a volunteer-led approach.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel 15–25% (some evenings/weekends).
• Able to lift 25–30 lbs for event setup.

Preferred

• Experience supporting or leading advisory boards, committees, or CLBs.
• Corporate partnership or sponsorship experience.
• Background in health nonprofits, childhood cancer communities, or mission-driven organizations.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud, Classy, or other CRMs.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Salary range: $60,000–$65,000+ depending on experience and geography
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) match
• Generous PTO, including vacation, sick time, summer Fridays, and year-end break
• Remote work stipends and equipment support
• A mission-driven team that values creativity, collaboration, and work-life balance

READY TO APPLY?

Submit your resume and cover letter to careers@curesearch.org by January 2, 2026.

CureSearch is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) match
• Generous PTO, including vacation, sick time, summer Fridays, and year-end break
• Remote work stipends and equipment support
• A mission-driven team that values creativity, collaboration, and work-life balance