Community Partnership Manager

Title:   Community Partnerships Manager

Supervisor:  Chief Strategy Officer

Department:  Partnerships

Classification: Exempt

Contract Length: Full-Time – Year-Round (260 staff work days)

Founded in 2000, the Milwaukee Academy of Science is a K4-12th grade independent charter school serving nearly 1,900 scholars in downtown Milwaukee. The mission of MAS is to graduate students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level. African American students comprise 99% of the student body and over 95% of students are considered economically disadvantaged. Regardless of student background and external factors, MAS maintains the expectation that students should be on grade level and proficient on state assessments.

Job Summary: 

The Community Partnerships Manager will manage community partnerships that serve students and parents district-wide as well as lead a variety of community engagement efforts for the Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS). MAS has over 75 partnerships that are constantly growing and evolving. This person will be responsible for stewarding positive, productive, mutually beneficial partnerships in each academy (elementary, middle, and high school). This person will ensure that the objectives and desired outcomes of partnerships are met and/or problem-solve to overcome any challenges that present themselves. This will be done alongside and in collaboration with the administrators, teachers, students, and parents. This person will also be responsible for celebrating partners and partnerships and showcasing our work through special events and other communication efforts (e-newsletters, social media, media, etc.) that support the larger development efforts of the school.

Position Relationships: 

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Supervises: volunteers

Coordinates with: District team, academy leaders, and teaching teams

Position Responsibilities: 

Partnership Management

• Maintain current partnerships and ensure the partnerships achieve the desired outcomes from both parties and that partnerships are integrated into the classroom whenever possible
• Build new partnerships in collaboration with emerging partners based on projects, goals, or needs of the school
• Create custom programs to address the needs of the school or the partner
• Maintain accurate records of partnerships to ensure ongoing communication and understanding
• Manage budgets and spending related to partnerships and/or grant-funded partnerships
• Gather data (quantitative and qualitative) to demonstrate impact and create reports to convey the impact of grant-funded and other partnerships
• Serve as a liaison between partners and administrators related to the school day, after school, and/or summer school programs
• Design, plan, and execute special events related to partnerships and community resources (i.e. annual partnership celebration, virtual career day, mentoring, career prep programs)
• Creatively engage the public to inform stakeholders of programs and partnerships via communications efforts (e-newsletters, social media, media, etc.)
• Provide partnership and program support as needed

Volunteer Coordination

• Solicit, select, train, and supervise volunteers/interns as needed related to partnerships and programs
• Identify areas of need where volunteers can assist with administrative team and create opportunities
• Maintain records of volunteers and integrate communications with this group of stakeholders
• Showcase volunteer efforts at special events and via communications efforts (e-newsletters, social media, media, etc.)

Grant Management

• For grant-related partnerships, manage budgets and spending related to partnerships
• For grant-related partnerships, gather data (quantitative and qualitative) to demonstrate impact and create reports to convey the impact of the partnership
• Prepare grant reports in a variety of formats–written, visual, video, social media–that convey, acknowledge, and celebrate the grantor’s contributions
• Maintain accurate records of grant calendar for received and proposed grants
• Assist with project or program creation that will inform grant applications and research to find funding sources for projects and programs

Communications & Marketing

• Create content (graphic design and copy) related to partnerships for communication and marketing efforts such as e-newsletters, social media, events, and presentations
• Contribute descriptions, data, photo/video to assist the development team with featuring community partnerships and the impact on students and our community
• Support alumni engagement efforts in a variety of ways, from communication, to advertising events, to sharing opportunities, to maintaining relationships and connections
• Collaborate with departments across the school to share the outcomes and impact of K-12 partnership efforts

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Experience in administration, coordination, program development, after school and youth development programs and services, and/or academics in K-12 setting
• Experience working with people and communities of color
• A passionate commitment to education equity
• Cultural sensitivity and understanding of special family and youth issues
• Knowledge of available community resources that provide services to families
• Strong work ethic, initiative, sense of urgency, and the ability to work within a team
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also being a strong team player and proactively communicating with necessary stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and a variable workload
• Demonstrated ability to be analytical, detail-oriented, and to problem solve
• Demonstrated experience in working with multiple stakeholders and collaborative working relationships
• Ability to write and organize reports with skill in gathering required information
• Skills in written and verbal communication. Ability to assist in preparing and giving oral presentations
• Computer skills necessary using word processing, spreadsheets and database programs
• Excellent verbal/written communication and presentation skills

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience: 

Master’s degree in education or related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree required

Mental, Emotional, and Physical Demands and Environmental Factors: Ability to maintain professionalism and composure under pressure; ability to function at a high level in a high-paced environment; some evening hours required for special events, standing, lifting required for special event set up

Computer Skills:  At a minimum, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Slides, Google Drive, and familiarity with Canva and/or other platforms that can support graphic design and newsletters