School Partnership Specialist

Communities In Schools of Chicago•Chicago, IL

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

At Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago, we believe students can enhance their learning when their needs are met, and that includes mental and emotional health. Every day, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and hundreds of community organizations to bring no-cost, high-quality programs directly to schools. These programs help students stay focused, engaged, and on track to graduate. During the 2025–26 school year, we'll serve over 80,000 students across 250 schools, connecting them to life-changing support from arts and academic enrichment to health and mental wellness services. We're looking for a School Partnership Specialist to join our team. If you're passionate about supporting the unique needs of schools, love building relationships, and want to play a key role in improving the success of thousands of Chicago students, this is your chance to make a real impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
2+ years of experience in education, nonprofits, or customer/account support
Experience with urban public schools highly preferred
Must pass CPS background check and hold a valid driver's license with daily access to a vehicle
You're part account manager, part match-maker, part counselor-and 100% committed.
You thrive in dynamic environments, love building relationships, and approach challenges with humor and empathy.
Skilled at multitasking and synthesizing info from multiple sources
Confident communicator and relationship builder
Mission-driven with a passion for this work
Detail-oriented with strong follow-through
Empathetic listener with a solution-oriented mindset
Comfortable driving across the city (reliable transportation required)
Tech-savvy: Proficient with Microsoft Office, databases, and virtual meeting platforms

Responsibilities

Listen + Learn: Understand each school's unique culture, needs, and communication style.
Connect + Support: Refer programs aligned to those needs-not just based on priorities but based on conversations and trust.
Follow Through: Help schools activate the program, track its success, and circle back with feedback for both schools and community partners.
Manage the Data: Enter and track all program referrals in our internal system-yes, even adding referrals yourself to prevent
Navigate Chaos with Calm: Meetings get canceled. Emotions run high. SPSs know how to absorb energy without letting it derail the work.
Plan + Execute Events: Lead and organize ACTIVATE events and workshops, juggling logistics, budget, and follow-up to ensure strong school participation.
Build the Bridge: Partner closely with Community Partnership Specialists to bring referrals to life, speaking confidently about program value.