Partnerships Manager

Title:                 Partnerships Manager

Supervised by:  Managing Director of Program Strategy

Status:               Exempt, Salaried, Fulltime

Date:                 June 2022

ORGANIZATION

Founded in 2013, VOCEL is a non-profit early childhood education organization whose purpose is to ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow and lead. Through a two-generation model rooted in language-rich environments and social-emotional development, VOCEL helps parents, caregivers and educators maximize young children’s brain growth, by providing tools and facilitating communities of support. 

VOCEL’s theory of change asserts that adults provide more nurturing interactions, robust communication, and play-based learning experiences to their young children when supported by VOCEL’s programs.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

VOCEL is seeking a Partnerships Manager to support growth in VOCEL’s portfolio of programs. At the core of this role, the Partnerships Manager will 1) assess and help develop new partnership opportunities and help build VOCEL’s reputation as a leader in the early childhood space in Chicago, and 2) build awareness of VOCEL’s programs leading to increased enrollment. The Partnerships Manager will report to the Managing Director, Program Strategy and work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to nurture existing relationships and partnerships, establish new relationships, and lead awareness building, engagement and recruitment activities.

Specific responsibilities will include:

1. Partnership Recruitment & Enrollment (50-55%)

Partnership Recruitment

• Collaborate with Program Director and Managing Director of Program Strategy on partnership strategy, recruitment pipeline, and enrollment trends
• With input from the MD, Program Strategy and Marketing & Communications Manager, develop outreach plans and marketing initiatives
• Build relationships with current partner schools and organizations
• Support partners by keeping them updated on VOCEL and relevant information via newsletter, meetings, etc
• Establish relationships with partner site prospects; build investment from school and organization leaders to partner with VOCEL
• Develop referral partnerships to promote VOCEL’s portfolio of programs[JI4]

Enrollment

• Promote VOCEL and enroll new families or educators at community events at schools, churches, non-profits, health clinics, community fairs, etc. 
• Set vision for, recruit and manage VOCEL Ambassadors (including current or alumni VOCEL parents) to build awareness of VOCEL’s programs and recruit peers
• Develop and manage skilled volunteer roles to support your work
• Brainstorm and vision with graphic designer/marketing consultant on program marketing materials
• Distribute VOCEL marketing materials in communities where VOCEL programs exist 
• Collaborate on site enrollment data with Marketing & Communications Manager and other VOCEL staff to generate solutions to meet or exceed recruitment goals for each program

2.        Stakeholder & Community Engagement (20-25%)

• Serve as one of the lead ambassadors for VOCEL and a liaison for communities (in person and virtually) where VOCEL programs operate.
• Conduct initial research and outreach for partnership recruitment
• Coordinate and prepare VOCEL leadership and staff to meet with potential partners and stakeholders
• In conjunction with the grassroots marketing associate, represent VOCEL in conversations, meetings and at events such as LSC, PAC/BAC, and neighborhood community gatherings
• Identify potential CPS and community organizations to build relationships within neighborhoods where VOCEL operates (and possible future locations) 
• Establish and nurture strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including school and community partners, community members and VOCEL family and educator participants

3.        Communications & Data Management (15-20 %)

• Communicate VOCEL’s vision and program model via clear and compelling verbal, print and digital messaging
• Provide regular avenues for parent, educator, and community feedback and voice (1-on-1 meetings, surveys, focus groups, town hall meetings) 
• Provide written updates on project progress to a variety of audiences including VOCEL staff, board of directors, funders, and others
• Develop metrics to measure ROI from partnerships
• Submit weekly logs of meetings, calls and work completed including plans for follow-up and cultivation onto Salesforce

4.        Miscellaneous (5-10%)

• Serve as a collaboration point between Program and Development departments
• Serve on a VOCEL team culture committee and fulfill responsibilities as required by committee head
• Attend all staff meetings and other VOCEL activities (in person and virtual) as necessary

WHAT YOU BRING 

This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic individual who is interested in working in an entrepreneurial and collaborative organization that is highly focused on mission.   

Background and experience we’d like to see: 

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience working in community engagement, account management, partnership development or related field
• Bilingual communication abilities preferred (English/Spanish)
• Undergraduate degree required
• Ability to travel locally to meetings, community events, etc.; personal vehicle & clean driving record required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point), Google Suite, Zoom, Slack, and social media marketing
• Experience with Salesforce

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Experience in early childhood education, parent/family support, education (PreK-12), or non-profit work 
• Alignment with VOCEL’s core values (https://www.vocel.org/core-values)
• Put people first
• Welcome all
• Innovate with intention
• Promote equity
• Embrace the child within
• Build a better tomorrow
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to project plan, delegate responsibilities to team members and follow-up accordingly to meet deadlines and due dates
• Strong attention to detail
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Eagerness to continuously learn; growth mindset
• Interest in nonprofit, community-centered work
• Warmth and positivity when interacting with children, parents/caregivers, educators, staff, partners, and external stakeholders

WORK ENVIRONMENT  

• The daily schedule is flexible and will be set in conjunction with the Managing Director of Program Strategy to accommodate internal and external meetings and events. Some evening and weekend hours will be required. Local travel to program, school, and community sites in the Chicagoland area is required; some overnight travel outside of Chicago may be required. Some of those sites may not be ADA-accessible.
• This position operates primarily in an office environment with wireless internet and limited space. The position may be remote on an as-needed basis and with prior approval from manager. 
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers (laptops), photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and common office supplies.
• This position requires a reliable cell phone with the capability to add apps for communication with participants and staff, i.e., Slack, Bamboo, etc.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and see. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to operate office equipment. This position may require long periods of sitting.
• The employee will occasionally lift objects up to 50 pounds, with assistance if needed.
• VOCEL offers a smoke- and drug-free environment.
• Partnerships Manager will be required to provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S. 
• VOCEL has instituted a COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate. Partnerships Manager will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster or comply with designated procedures for obtaining a permissible exemption, per VOCEL’s COVID-19 Vaccine Policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, military service, order of protection status, physical, mental, or neuro disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes. 

WHAT WE OFFER

VOCEL offers a competitive compensation package including: 

• Annual salary of $55,000-$62,000; commensurate with experience
• Health and dental insurance (50-60% covered by VOCEL)
• IRA with employer matching
• Technology reimbursement 
• Mileage reimbursement 
• Generous paid time including:
• Paid holidays (12 days) with opportunity to swap holidays for personal/religious observance
• 10 days of elective paid time off per year
• 6 days of break, determined by VOCEL
• Up to 5 paid sick days
• Up to 5 paid self, family, and community care days

TO APPLY:

• Follow instructions at this link
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted
• No phone calls please
• Deadline is May 3. Position begins June 21.