waypointjobs

IFT

Manager, Academic Engagement

chicago, IL

Check who can apply and the requirements below before continuing.

About this opportunity

IFT lists this Manager, Academic Engagement opportunity in chicago, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.

Job description

Manager, Academic Engagement

The Manager, Academic Engagement is responsible for designing and implementing key engagement and leadership development opportunities to drive retention and recruitment efforts within the student membership space. Through a commitment to excellence, The Manager, Academic Engagement will build brand loyalty in support of long-term growth initiatives. This role requires strong leadership skills to effectively communicate across a robust and diverse student body ensuring all member experiences including networking and educational opportunities deliver value throughout all stages of the business relationship.

Essential Responsibilities

In partnership with Senior Director, Membership Strategy, Transformation, and Growth, serves as the staff resource to the IFT Student Association (IFTSA) Board of Directors and leads development of student member experiences driving engagement, retention and recruitment

Executes all activities for IFTSA, ensuring strategic goal alignment, membership engagement and effective volunteer leadership development

Serves as the IFT Staff Liaison on IFTSA task forces and committees

Executes strategies to serve student chapter/club growth and development including bi-monthly virtual workshops

Analyzes member research to influence student initiatives

Advances membership engagement strategy by developing, designing and implementing networking and educational opportunities for IFTSA and student members

In partnership with the Senior Director, Membership Strategy, Transformation, and Growth, prepares and manages budgets; forecast financial performance

Builds pipeline of student leadership through identification, recruitment, engagement and training of volunteers

Manages submission, review, reporting, and documentation logistics of the IFTSA competitions, awards, and leadership programs via the RhythmQ submission portal

Provides logistical support for all assigned volunteer groups as well as 8 student competitions, awards and closing ceremony at the annual event

Represents IFT professionally at IFT annual event and other organization or industry events when needed

Develops and sustains productive working relationships with IFT members and staff with the ability to collaborate across teams and departments as needed

Manages the application process and dissemination of student competitions, student and new professional programs and travel grants

Serves as web content and online community owner for all student sites

Manages student volunteer lists in organizational database, makes updates as needed

Serves as staff lead and support for RhythmQ submission portal and technology of student and faculty programs

Manages submission, review, reporting, and documentation logistics of the IFT-HERB program approval process via the RhythmQ submission portal

Supports Senior Director, Membership Strategy, Transformation, and Growth in efforts to attract, retain, and celebrate the creative and innovative minds of future food scientists through IFT Fund Motivate initiatives, including Pathful opportunities

Through effective management, cultivates an environment that allows for a strong and productive employee and student experience

Builds brand loyalty through high responsiveness to customer and member needs throughout all stages of the business relationship

Ensures compliance with industry and legal regulations and best practices, and adherence to company processes and procedures

Travel Required

Occasional domestic travel is expected including the ability to attend occasional evening, weekend, and overnight meetings

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in business, management, communications, education, or equivalent

5+ years of experience or demonstrated competency in a similar position requiring progressive administrative responsibilities and program management

Preferred Experience

Project management software experience

Experience with volunteer or program management

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suites

Other Duties

This position, and all others at IFT, may be modified at any time. To ensure operational efficiency and meet the changing needs of our customers and our Business, other duties may be assigned as needed.

Physical Requirements

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $78,000 to 90,000 Per Year (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Benefits: IFT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to reward and energize our employees, so they can live a balanced life and maintain their well-being. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans at affordable rates. Life and Long Term Disability insurance is completely free to all employees. Most benefits begin the first of the month following employee's start date.

Worksite address

chicago, IL, 60290, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.

Ready for your next step?Apply on the official website
Apply on WhatJobs ↗

Explore related searches

Current related jobs

Nestlé USA

WhatJobs

Safety Health & Environmental Specialist

medford, WI

Salary not specified

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.    At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight …

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Associate Banker

steamboat springs, CO

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 10/18/2026 Address: 555 Lincoln Ave. Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Delivers exce…

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job

Nestlé USA

WhatJobs

Factory Manager

medford, WI

Salary not specified

Foods you love. Brands you trust. And a career that empowers you to grow.    At Nestlé USA, we’re all working towards the same goal – to delight …

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Bank Manager

hubertus, WI

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 10/30/2026 Address: 1301 Highway 175 Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Guides, direct…

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Centralized Mortgage Banker

tempe, AZ

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 10/30/2026 Address: 1625 W. Fountainhead Parkway Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Co…

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job

BMO Financial

WhatJobs

Bank Manager

coon rapids, MN

See pay details in description

Application Deadline: 10/13/2026 Address: th Avenue NW Job Family Group: Retail Banking Sales & Service Guides, directs, …

Last received from source 2026-10-07View job