In 2015, with the support of the Bezos Family Foundation, Save the Children began integrating Vroom into our programs to help parents in their role as their child’s first teacher. Vroom provides a mobile app and printable cards to support brain building, learning activities to children, families and communities. The Vroom project is currently implemented in 52 rural communities across seven states.
In this newly created position, the Senior Specialist for Community Innovation will work side by side the with the Director of Early Childhood Programs and the Senior Director U.S. Field Operations to oversee all aspects of the Vroom project and support integration with other initiatives across Save the Children’s US program work. Applying sound processes, continuous improvement practices, effective communication skills and relationship management acumen, he/she will ensure that Vroom project deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.
- Exercise independent judgment and discretion on significant matters related to functional area
- Objectives and milestones are determined jointly by employee and supervisor and implemented with management support
- Functional based policy and practices exist. Incumbent is provided with the "what", but is most likely to determine the "how"
- Provide information to their Manager or to other Senior Managers so that they can make accurate decisions
- Build effective relationships with peers and managers. Relates well to all kinds of people
Project Management: 50%
- Provide day-to-day management and coordination of Vroom according to project plans and schedules. Monitors progress throughout to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget and meet or exceed expectations.
- Mobilize resources to launch and execute projects in accordance with project framework.
- Define team member roles and expectations; ensure that project staff receive necessary training and are utilized effectively.
- Manage internal and external partner stakeholders as needed.
- Ensure that all project requirements and solutions are clearly defined; obtain approval from team leads at each milestone.
- Manages project risks and resolves issues; escalates to Early Childhood Director or Senior Director as required for resolution
Communications and partner management: 40%
- Communicate progress and obtain buy-in from impacted stakeholders for all key project deliverables, plans and changes.
- Manage internal and external partner stakeholders as needed.
- Ensure that all requirements, project plans and changes are communicated to all affected team members.
- Manage relationships with all partners; monitor their progress and adherence to partner plans.
- Research, explore, cultivate and build relationships with potential program and content partners to support existing and future projects.
- Collect needed success stories to equip resource development with the ability to raise future funds to support the work.
Project reporting: 10%
- Ensures timely project reporting through regular team meetings and steering committee meeting updates.
- Provides quality checks on all aspects of projects and deliverables, reporting on these at each gateway milestone to ensure that the end product fulfills the project objectives.
- Work with resource development to ensure all donor reports are completed in a timely manner.
- Excellent planning and problem-solving skills
- Strong leadership skills; able to make independent decisions quickly and effectively with the ability to determine impact on p
- Ability to multi-task and work well within tight timelines
- Very strong organizational skills
- Exceptional written and oral communications skills sufficient to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and staff through all levels of the organization.
- Strong interpersonal skills to augment a close working relationship with core team member
- Proficient in Microsoft Applications (Excel, Word, PPT, Project)
- Must be self-directed and results-driven with a strong customer focus
- Demonstrated experience cultivating and managing external partnerships
- Innovative, flexible, adaptive and creative
- Willing to travel as needed – Approximately 30% of the time
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities.