Manager, Partner Relations

CRADLES TO CRAYONS INC • Chicago, IL

5d • $69,000 - $73,000

About The Position

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) was founded in 2002, with the mission of providing children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive - at home, at school and at play. C2C is at the cutting edge of volunteer management, and through its “Giving Factory” provides unique, hands-on opportunities for people to help other people. Headquartered in Boston, MA, C2C opened in Philadelphia in 2007 and in Chicago in 2016. How Our Model Works: Cradles to Crayons collects new and nearly new children's items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations. Donations are then processed and packaged by volunteers and are distributed to disadvantaged children through a collaborative network of social service agencies and school partners. C2C supplies these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. Cradles to Crayons meets a critical need as many children 12 years old and younger live in low-income and/or homeless situations. These living conditions can have negative effects on self-esteem as poverty can lead to increased social and emotional behavioral challenges; it impacts early education since half of children living in poverty start 1st grade up to 2 years developmentally behind their peers; and safety may be compromised as children living in poverty have increased risk of injury. While meeting the immediate needs of low-income children, Cradles to Crayons also sets a foundation for lasting change by providing meaningful, tangible volunteer opportunities to thousands of individuals and families and hundreds of corporations each year by organizing clothing collections, hosting fundraisers, or working in the "Giving Factory" warehouse. Cradles to Crayons earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for several consecutive years. Only 2% of charities rated have received this distinction, differentiating C2C from its peers, exemplifying the high standard of service at C2C, and indicating that C2C outperforms most other charities in America. POSITION OVERVIEW: Cradles to Crayons collaborates with a network of close to 100 Service Partner organizations located across the Chicagoland area to provide high quality items for children from birth through age 12. This network of Service Partners includes schools, hospitals, head start programs, homeless shelters, community health centers, early intervention programs and more. The Manager of Partner Relations is responsible for managing these external partnerships as well as overseeing annual distribution initiatives.

Requirements

• This is a mid-level position with a minimum of 3+ years of superior customer service and non-profit experience required
• 1-2 years of previous staff management experience required
• Ability to speak fluent Spanish required
• Time management skills with the ability to prioritize, set goals and track work
• Strong people & interpersonal skills
• Ability to anticipate problems and issues and exercise independent judgment in seeking a resolution
• Proficient with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams)
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to evolving priorities and contribute to operational improvements in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends required

Responsibilities

• Model and lead a positive “One Cradles” culture, underpinned by Cradles’ Cultural Values and related behaviors
• Work cooperatively with staff, volunteers, and interns to support the mission of Cradles to Crayons to both meet and sustain its goals
• Manage donation distribution programs and partnerships with social service organizations across the Chicagoland area in order to meet annual goals set around how many children’s items will be distributed
• Participate in Cradles to Crayons’ special events/initiatives and manage all aspects related to network of service partner involvement.
• Ensure the timely communications of partner demand, working collaboratively with the Operations team
• Manage the Partner Relations Associate and team interns including coaching, motivating and evaluating performance
• Assist in building comprehensive department guidelines, toolkits, and trainings to guide the process of receiving, filling, and distributing orders (of children’s items) placed by partners
• Ensure the successful development and implementation of all distribution services to partners while fostering strong relationships with stakeholders
• Manage annual Service Partner portfolio audit process to ensure effective allocation of C2C resources through regular communication and site visits to service partners
• Build strategies around partnership engagement and utilization, manage pilots, and oversee long-term strategy around deepened partnership engagement
• Ensure that all guidelines and contract standards are executed; ensure that all paperwork and contracts are current and effectively managed
• Represent Cradles to Crayons externally at related collaborative events and opportunities.
• Collect testimonials and impact data from service partners
• Manage current and future special programming, including the annual Backpack Distribution and Diaper Distribution Days
• Support cross-market teams for overall strategy and effectiveness, serve as a resource and mentor
• Support development of IT systems and tools to support department work and resources for Service Partners
• Demonstrate adaptability and problem-solving in a dynamic environment where programs and priorities may evolve over time
• Ensure timely and accurate distribution data tracking in Salesforce
• Maintain accurate account and partnership information
• Assist in analyzing the organization’s geographic penetration, the effectiveness of our existing partnerships, and make recommendations as needed to make C2C more effective

Benefits

• Health benefits including medical, dental, vision and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
• A monthly cell phone and internet usage stipend
• Employer-sponsored short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance
• Retirement plan matching
• Annual professional development stipend

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed