In the upcoming fiscal year, Teach For America Chicago-Northwest Indiana will convene corps members, alumni, supporters and community members to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the founding of our region through a series of events and programming. The Managing Director, 20th Anniversary Summit will lead the creation of the programmatic elements in consultation with a working group representative of our constituents and across our functional teams in the region. This person will also design and execute the project plan to ensure a seamless series of events.
The Managing Director, 20th Anniversary Summit should be a visionary leader who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and has strong skills in operating, planning and executing. This person possesses a close attention to detail and a passion for ensuring this series of events celebrates the progress of the region and helps catalyze the movement to end educational inequity.
The Managing Director, 20th Anniversary Summit is a member of the External Affairs team and reports into the VP, External Affairs.
Set Vision and Direction for the Region’s 20th Anniversary Campaign (20%)
- Launch staff, supporter and member 20th anniversary working groups
- Shape and steward the vision and direction for the 20th Anniversary Campaign, working closely with regional leadership, the External Affairs team (XA), staff, supporter and member working groups
- Build and execute a fully integrated 20th Anniversary Campaign project plan, including events and marketing milestones, as well as campaign goals
Design Sponsorship Opportunities Associated with the 20th Anniversary (5%)
- Work closely with members of the External Affairs team to define sponsorship opportunities with the 20th anniversary
Project Manage Execution of Anchor Events (60%)
- Project manage execution of 20th anniversary campaign
- Partner with the Director, Marketing and Communications in the design and faithful implementation of 20th anniversary marketing/communications campaign
- Create and execute a strategy to drive event attendance
- Create and execute a system to identify, research, and vet speakers – manage the process to prepare speakers for their respective events
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with external vendors
- Enlist and manage a corps of member and staff volunteers to support the execution of anniversary events. Communicate and invest members of cross-functional teams in 20th Anniversary operational plans according the role they are playing.
- Act as primary contact to fellow functional team colleagues for all logistical and operational concerns and efforts
Participate in all Team Responsibilities (5%)
- Prepare for and lead check-ins with your manager around progress toward goals and your ongoing development
- Prepare for and participate in XA team meetings and retreats
- Collaborate with and support XA colleagues’ work and development
Collective Responsibilities (10%)
- Fulfill foundational responsibilities that allow our region to do our work, make decisions, grow as professionals, and strengthen our team culture, including but not limited to attending regional meetings, operating with our Core Values and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, completing our performance management cycle, and upholding our data management, office operations, and fiscal responsibilities
- Make a direct impact on the organizational mission of enlisting, developing and mobilizing leaders to strengthen the movement for educational equity by participating in selection (6-10 days total plus preparation and close out time), matriculation (up to six windows across the year), regional recruitment activity, member facing events (including Leadership Summits and Summer Training), our alumni giving campaign, alumni survey, and at least one regional or national committee/working group, and other initiatives that impact our members and partners
- 7+ years of professional experience, with significant cross-functional project or event experience preferred
- Prior experience collaborating and managing processes across multiple teams and through peers
- Prior Teach For America staff and/or alumni experience strongly preferred
- Evidence of significant measurable impact in previous experience
- Strong design and vision-setting skills
- Strong critical thinking skills and ability to synthesize programming ideas and communicate strategic recommendations to relevant stakeholders
- Ability to develop and cultivate effective relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders and support them in contributing to a shared goal
- Ability to quickly understand cross-team dynamics and create communication/working structures between different internal teams
- Ability to create and implement systems and structures that result in well-executed programming
- Strong communications skills, including written work and presentations, and ability to effectively present and facilitate ideas
- Operates with flexibility and adaptability in an entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment
- Strong ability to manage workload effectively and follow through on execution
Work Demands
- Ability to work evenings and weekends, particularly as it relates to 20th Anniversary Summit events
By joining staff, you join a network of individuals committed to pursuing equity for all students and developing themselves as professionals in the process. We as an organization value the longevity of our employees and offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. The salary for this position is also competitive and depends on your prior work experience. Please be advised, you will have an opportunity to discuss salary in more detail after you begin the application process.