Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. Learn about the energetic, creative people working to ensure every kid has the chance to play—every day.

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ABOUT THE POSITION, as the Regional Partnerships Manager you will ensure the successful implementation of Playworks programming through delivery of Playworks Pro programming, directly supervising the work of a team of trainers and program specialists, and ensuring the renewal and expansion of the partners you manage. You will help schools realize the value of play for their students and will build new relationships with potential school and district partners. This position specifically includes a blend of relationship cultivation, strategy and outreach for Playworks services to schools, school districts, community partners and funders.

This is a full-time, exempt position which reports directly to the Regional Partnerships Director.

Responsibilities include:

Management and growth strategy

• Manage and support trainers and program specialists.
• Collaborate with the regional team to evaluate the quality of services and skill of staff members to identify areas for improvement, set goals, and strategically plan for consistent program quality improvements.
• Serve as primary contact person for a portfolio of school administrators and consult with schools as needed in achieving program outcomes.
• Mediate program issues with schools, staff and principals and Playworks Staff.
• Support Playworks’ regional leadership team to create and refine an integrated school partnership strategy for growing Playworks’ services within the region. 
• In collaboration with the Regional Partnerships Director, build new relationships with other community organizations, government agencies and funders as appropriate, as well as representing Playworks at events, conferences and community gatherings.
• Serve as a liaison between Playworks and partners who have purchased Playworks services by representing Playworks at trainings, meetings and consultative visits.
• Support data collection for all Pro partners in the region.
• Contribute to the development and continued quality improvement of Playworks curriculum
• Coordinate with Playworks trainers, Program team and Regional Partnership Director to ensure the successful delivery of quality of services and sustainable impact. 
• Support the creation of written materials and tools such as training packets, posters, conference programs, promotional materials and other educational and marketing resources
• Contribute to the sales pipeline to increase impact according to plan and in the schools and districts that are of the highest strategic priority. Responsible for approximately 20% of the regional training revenue goal through partner retention and/or new partnerships

Training Delivery (approximately 20%)

• Provide trainings and consultation to teachers, school staff and admin, and youth workers within the areas of play, youth development, recess design, physical activity, group management, conflict resolution, youth leadership and program sustainability
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners pre and post trainings, including visits to schools to provide recess observations, consultation, and collaborative action planning with school recess teams

If you're a good fit for this position, you already know most of what this job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some additional details:

• The most successful candidate will be a self-starter with strong organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• You will be successful if you possess a growth mindset and you seek and incorporate feedback easily.
• The strongest candidate will have demonstrated high professional standards with the ability to see the big picture and manage practical details.

Required Skills & Experience

• Passionate commitment to Playworks’ mission and keen desire to contribute to social impact. 
• 1-2 years working directly with students or school staff in an educational setting.
• 2-3 years experience managing teams.
• Eagerness to learn and represent a growing brand
• Knowledge of Salesforce and Cirrus is preferred. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that facilitate customer cultivation and negotiations.
• Excellent relationship management, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Initiative, self starter with an entrepreneurial spirit
• Knowledge of youth development principles and practices, especially relating to issues of equity, inclusion and healthy competition within sports and physical activity
• Understanding and experience working in a matrix organizational structure
• Comfort with a playful, exuberant and mildly irreverent workplace culture

Compensation & Benefits:

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:

• This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Regional Partnerships Director.  This position will be based in our Illinois office with frequent travel. 
• At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $64,600.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, life insurance, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
• Generous paid time off with paid vacation, sick and holiday leave.

This is a hands-on, creative, playful and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, apply!

Please include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume.
• References will be requested.

At Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships. 

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We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivating play, center equity, continued learning and collaboration within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities or board service on a merit basis.

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