Manager, Challenger Learning Centers

Texas State Technical College • Harlingen, TX

11h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Challenger Learning Centers is responsible for leading the strategy, operations, and growth of the Challenger Learning Centers at the Waco and Harlingen campuses. This role oversees utilization growth, stakeholder engagement, operational management, and program delivery to ensure high-quality STEM learning experiences that support institutional outreach and student pipeline development. The position leads relaunch and expansion efforts by building K–12 partnerships, driving utilization, managing operational performance, and aligning programming with institutional and educational priorities. This role also serves as the primary liaison to the Challenger Learning Center Network and integrates best practices to support long-term sustainability and growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, business, marketing, or a related field from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and directly related professional experience as assessed under TSTC’s established equivalency standards.
• Five (5) or more years of experience in program management, education leadership, outreach, business development, or related fields.
• Experience managing complex projects, stakeholder relationships, and operational initiatives across multiple groups or locations.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly between campuses.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with K–12 school systems, STEM education programs, or experiential learning environments.
• Experience supporting launch, turnaround, or growth-focused initiatives.
• Experience in sales, pipeline development, or customer acquisition activities.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains relationships with school districts, educators, Education Service Centers, and regional stakeholders to expand engagement and increase utilization of Challenger Learning Center programs.
• Conducts outreach and engagement efforts to identify opportunities, understand barriers, and strengthen long-term partnerships.
• Leads utilization growth efforts across both Challenger Learning Center locations by developing and managing outreach strategies, engagement pipelines, and booking processes.
• Monitors utilization trends, conversion rates, and scheduling effectiveness to support participation goals and operational performance.
• Develops and implements strategies supporting the relaunch, growth, and ongoing success of Challenger Learning Center operations.
• Coordinates timelines, engagement strategies, and operational plans aligned with institutional objectives and utilization goals.
• Partners with marketing teams to support outreach and awareness initiatives.
• Serves as the primary liaison to the Challenger Learning Center Network and related partners.
• Coordinates participation in training, certification, and collaborative initiatives while integrating best practices and operational standards into local operations.
• Coordinates development and refinement of STEM learning experiences aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards and educator expectations.
• Utilizes feedback and operational data to improve programming, participation, and customer experience.
• Oversees day-to-day operations across Challenger Learning Center locations, including scheduling, booking coordination, operational workflows, and facility readiness.
• Ensures a consistent and high-quality experience for students, educators, and visitors.
• Supervises Challenger Learning Center staff across both locations.
• Establishes expectations, provides coaching and development, and supports staffing models aligned with utilization and operational needs.
• Develops and manages operational budgets for both centers.
• Monitors expenditures and aligns resources with utilization goals, operational priorities, and program performance.
• Develops and monitors operational metrics and reporting related to utilization, participation, pipeline activity, and partner retention.
• Utilizes data and reporting tools to support operational improvements and strategic decision-making.
• Partners with internal departments including marketing, enrollment, workforce teams, and campus leadership to align outreach, messaging, and engagement strategies with broader institutional priorities.

Benefits

• The final salary offer will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
• Equivalent combination of education, training and relevant professional experience will be considered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager