Teach For America – Massachusetts seeks a driven, focused individual to take the recent success in our Western Massachusetts sub-region to the next level. You will play a critical role in bringing top talent – TFA corps members and alumni – to our partner schools in Springfield and Holyoke. As a recruiter, you will identify and attract prospects to fill key teaching and leadership roles, fueling a local moment of growth and innovation in Western Mass. As a community leader, you will grow a thriving network of educators through innovative and effective programming and events, and build powerful connections between our TFA corps members, alumni, staff, partner schools, and the broader community.
The ideal candidate is a natural recruiter and networker who builds trust and relationships quickly and draws energy from engaging externally. You enjoy the challenge of recruitment, and use a disciplined, systematic, yet passionate approach to exciting others about the opportunities in Western Mass. You’re also a community builder, motivated by making connections and developing creative strategies for building lasting connection to our work. As an engaging, local representative of Teach For America, you partner effectively with a diverse set of constituents, from new teachers to principals, from long-standing community leaders to those new to the region. As a result of your efforts, our partners in the Western Mass. sub-region will attract and retain the talent they need to fulfill their vision of a quality education for all students.
The School & Community Partnerships team is a newly formed function of the Massachusetts regional team. Deeply rooted in our strategy of meeting the talent needs of our partner schools and communities, this team works statewide to attract and retain talented educators for K-12 and district/CMO roles. With the support of your manager, you will set vision and direction for executing our Western Mass. talent strategy, and collaborate with a team of colleagues doing similar work across the state.
The Director, School & Community Partnerships – Western. Mass. reports to the TEAM LEAD, School and Community Partnerships.
Talent Recruitment, Cultivation and Hiring
- Manage and own the Western Mass. corps member matriculation and onboarding process, working towards specific and ambitious goals to build our Western Mass. cohort
- Manage and execute the Western Mass corps member hiring process, ensuring all incoming corps members are prepared, licensed, and fully hired ahead of the school year
- Partner with the recruitment team to identify and cultivate prospects to teach in our Western Mass. sub-region as corps members, with particular attention to prospects who are themselves from Western Mass.
- Design and execute effective outreach strategies to cultivate and attract TFA alumni prospects to take positions in our partner schools and districts
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with local principals and hiring managers to facilitate partnership placements
Community Building and Talent Development
- Develop a vision and strategy for a thriving and engage TFA community in Western Mass. that attracts and retains top talent in our partner schools
- Develop and implement a talent strategy that fuels the education ecosystem in Western Mass., including schools, districts, and nonprofits, through full-time hires, volunteerism, and board leadership
- Design and execute innovative events and other professional development opportunities for our alumni in Western Mass.
- Collaborate with our Western Mass. teacher coaches to build community and connection among corps members and alumni, bolstering retention and connection to the sub-region
Regional Team Responsibilities
- Support, attend, and/or participate in regional team activities, including regular staff meetings and retreats, and regional pre-service (one week in June).
- Participate in team-wide initiatives and campaigns, such as selecting and matriculating corps members and outreach to our local alumni
- Deep understanding of how schools operate, likely from prior experience working in schools in a teaching or operational support capacity.
- Teach For America alumni or current staff member preferred
- Deep ties or networks in Western Massachusetts preferred
Skills
- Results-oriented with a campaign mindset - thrives in a fast-paced culture and is motivated by meeting high-stakes goals
- Superb interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to engage, motivate, and inspire others to action
- Strong networking skills, with experience building a thriving community
- Energized by people – loves working directly with people to support individuals’ development
- Entrepreneurial mindset – someone who is excited by the opportunity to proactively develop new and innovative ways to meet our goals
- Exceptional written and spoken communication skills
- Strong organizational and project management skills
Technical Skills
- Familiarity with Google Docs, Google Spreadsheets, Microsoft Excel and other MS Office applications
- Familiarity with Salesforce.com or other CRM platforms is a plus
- Experience with Pardot, Constant Contact, or similar graphic design or print/online publishing platforms a plus
Work Demands
- Expectation that this staff member lives in the Springfield/Holyoke area or nearby
- Occasional evening or weekend availability required for events
- Frequent day travel to Boston or the South Coast for team meetings and events (approx. 2-3 times/month)
- Position is scoped for 50-55 hours per week, with additional time during peak periods