Do you believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid? Would you like to work where you are encouraged to promote fun, creativity, and play? If you are motivated and you possess leadership experience – both on and off the playground – we want you to join our team and put your passion for play to work for us.

About Playworks: At Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We create a place for every kid on the playground to get active, build valuable skills, connect, and have fun. We partner with schools, districts, and after-school programs to provide a service or mix of services, including on-site coaches, professional training for school staff who support recess, and consultative partnerships.

About the position:

In the role of Program Manager, you will assist in the planning and implementation of Playworks’ comprehensive school-based play and youth development programming. You will train and oversee school-based staff, maintain strong relationships with school partners, develop new training for program staff, facilitate the implementation of any new or modified programming, and lead initiatives that drive regional scaling and sustainability. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports directly to the Program Director.

Specifically, you will:

• Collaborate with the regional team to oversee Playworks’ programs, planning, and implementing school-based programming at elementary school sites.
• Lead and drive regional impact strategy that aligns with the organizational goals of increasing schools’ ownership over safe and healthy play and ultimately creating long-term systems change in public education.
• Support all elements of Playworks programming and consultation services, including planning, implementation, training, evaluation, and program quality, with a lens for moving schools to a long-term, sustainable relationship with Playworks
• Manage and support 5-10 frontline staff.
• Conduct regular program observations & data reviews to ensure high-quality programming.
• Participate in curriculum development.
• Organize and facilitate staff trainings.
• Conduct evaluations of coaches in accordance with Playworks’ protocol and oversee curriculum implementation throughout the school year to ensure the fulfillment of expectations and responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary contact person for district and school administrators, and consult with schools as needed to achieve program outcomes. Drive school renewals and expansion in target districts.
• Mediate program issues with schools and staff.
• Serve as interscholastic/developmental sports league coordinator and contact person, which includes additional evening hours.
• Lead and participate in the hiring of program staff.
• Lead special events, corporate engagements, etc.
• Lead administrative tasks related to program management (data collection, paperwork, etc.) and assist in additional areas as needed (grant writing, etc.)
• Represent Playworks in building community relationships and supporting national expansion through various special projects such as the development of curriculum for specific student populations, building relationships with new funding sources, and developing training for new sites.
• Support Playworks local training efforts.
• Support sales and renewals targets.
• Become certified to deliver Playworks trainings and deliver locally as needed to support the professional development team.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Successful experience as a Playworks coach or similar experience, such as a background in youth development with a variety of skills and approaches to sports and play.
• Experience establishing and maintaining professional relationships with external clients in diverse communities and community organizations with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience with managing long-term partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and support staff.
• Experience delivering training to adults.
• Demonstrated growth mindset.
• Proven ability to problem solve, think strategically, set priorities, and juggle competing demands effectively with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to use discretion, professionalism, sound judgment, and maintain a high level of confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.
• Strong experience with computer and internet-based programs, including Salesforce, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Google Drive.
• Excellent written communication skills, as well as strong presentation skills with the ability to facilitate small and large group presentations.
• Ability to thrive working independently and within team settings.
• Must be creative and passionate about youth work.
• Sense of humor and resourcefulness are essential.
• Strong organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Adept at receiving and incorporating feedback.
• This position will require travel to various regional locations. School sites will be widely dispersed in the region, therefore daily access to reliable transportation is required.

Compensation & Benefits

Playworks offers the full package - great benefits, a fun place to work, and an opportunity to grow professionally. We offer:

• This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary of $69,300.
• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k), life insurance, employee funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts.
• Generous paid time off with paid vacation, sick and holiday leave.

This is a hands-on, creative, playful place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. If you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, and if you've got the skills, experience, and passion, apply!

Please include:

• A cover letter describing your interest in Playworks and how your experience has prepared you for this role.
• Resume.
• References will be requested.

Typical Physical & Mental Demands: Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching, and eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier and other office equipment. This position requires sufficient physical ability and mobility to stand for extended periods at times; walk on a school site in various weather conditions; to climb stairs at some sites; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach and twist and, dependent on assignment the employee may occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 50 pounds.

As an equal opportunity program, Playworks encourages applications from all individuals regardless of age, gender, gender identity/expression, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, faith, marital status, physical ability, or any other legally protected basis. Playworks evaluates all candidates for employment, volunteering opportunities, or board service on a merit basis.