School Partnerships Manager

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.

Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

Children First Fund (CFF) is the foundation and external partnership arm of CPS, which works to match Chicago's resources with the schools and communities where they are needed most. Through CFF, everyone in Chicago-from the philanthropic and business communities to higher education, healthcare and cultural institutions to individuals-has the opportunity to make a profound and positive impact on the lives of our students.

Job Summary:

Reporting to and in partnership with the Managing Director of Strategy & Investments, the School Partnerships Manager will develop, implement and manage the day-to-day activities of the CFF's direct to school strategy. This includes overseeing the CFF School Partnership Program, partner activations, school-based grants and distribution of gifts and experiences. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The School Partnerships Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

* Oversee a strategy and portfolio of prospective donors to fundraise for direct-giving and partnership with CPS schools and students;
Manage full lifecycle of fundraising including prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship;
Synthesize schools' external funding and partnerships needs into compelling storytelling via presentations, proposals and marketing packages

* Identify new, creative ways to engage corporate partners and their employees (e.g. contests, citywide events, cause marketing campaigns, point of purchase). Manage partner activation and donations at the school level (e.g. corporate employee engagement events, donation of in-kind resources)

* Manage and grow the CFF School Partnership Program cohort, working closely with prospective donors, existing partners, and school leadership, as well as CFF and CPS Communications;
Develop and execute trainings to build school-based staff's confidence and skill with raising philanthropic funds and stewarding partners

* Support and provide oversight to schools in tracking and managing philanthropic grant expenditures, and provide guidance in stewarding funds properly for CFF school-level philanthropic grants;
Communicate grant deliverables for select CFF school-level grants with school teams/leaders and support in completing deliverables

* Develop and manage an ongoing process to collect data to better assess school needs and understand where external partners and philanthropy could be of the highest impact;
Create and manage a tracking platform that highlights real-time needs, gaps and opportunities across CPS to ensure resources are applied strategically and equitably;
Research and evaluate new partnership opportunities, and match thoughtfully and equitably to school needs

* Collaborate closely with CPS central office departments to support logistic coordination of experiences, grant-funded programs at schools, and in-kind donations including working with CPS warehouse and facilities, etc.

* Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the School Partnerships Manager must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required

Experience

Required:

* Minimum of five (5) years experience in development, corporate partnership management, fundraising, and/or corporate social responsibility is required

* Experience tracking and managing philanthropic grants is preferred

* Experience working in schools or education systems preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Strong project management, multi-tasking and problem solving skills

* Ability to forge deep relationships with internal and external stakeholders

* Fundraising and donor communications

* Excellent communication and customer service skills

* Ability to think creatively, strategically and operationally

* Enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed to excellence

* Self-starter who can anticipate problems and develop preemptive solutions

* Ability to be flexible and to adapt to a continually shifting environment

* Passionate about making a material impact in the lives of students

* Ability to think…