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 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.

Playworks is the leading national nonprofit leveraging the power of play to transform children’s physical and emotional health. Playworks serves over 2,000 schools in 23 U.S. cities, and reaches 1 million students directly and through professional training services.

At Playworks, we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing school climates by leveraging the power of safe, fun, and healthy play at school every day. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. 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.

Here’s where you come in:

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 AmeriCorps Members (coaches) and/or Site Coordinators in the City of Detroit, Metro Detroit, and Lansing metropolitan areas, maintain strong relationships with school partners, develop new training for program staff, and facilitate the implementation of any new or modified programming. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports directly to the regional Program Director.

Specifically, you will:

• Collaborate with the regional team to oversee Playworks’ programs, planning, and implementing school-based programming at elementary school sites.
• Manage and support 8-10 AmeriCorps Members (coaches) and/or site coordinators in the City of Detroit, Metro Detroit, and Lansing, Michigan.
• Conduct regular, weekly program observations & data reviews to ensure high-quality programming.
• Support AmeriCorps Members, including tracking hours, organizing and participating in volunteer service activities, and encouraging completion of their term of service.
• Participate in ongoing regional curriculum development.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate staff trainings.
• Perform evaluations of coaches according to Playworks’ protocol and oversee curriculum implementation during the school year to ensure fulfillment of expectations and responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary contact person for school administrators and consult with schools as needed to achieve program outcomes.
• Mediate program issues with schools, staff, principals, and Playworks implementers.
• Serve as interscholastic/developmental sports league coordinator and contact person, which includes additional evening hours.
• Participate in the hiring and onboarding of new program implementers.
• Plan, organize, and facilitate Playworks special events.
• Lead administrative tasks related to program management (data collection, paperwork, etc.) and additional areas as needed (grant writing, etc.)
• Represent Playworks in building community relationships within Michigan and supporting national expansion through various special projects, such as developing curriculum for specific student populations, building relationships with new funding sources, and developing training for new sites.
• Support Playworks local training efforts by providing on-site support or collaborating with the internal sales team.

Here are some additional details:

• The most successful candidate will be a self-starter with strong organizational skills and proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines with varying levels of intervention.
• You will be successful if you possess a “Get It Right” attitude and you seek and incorporate feedback easily.
• The strongest candidate will have demonstrated high professional standards with the ability to see the big picture and manage practical details.

Required 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 in establishing and maintaining professional relationships with external clients in diverse communities and community organizations with excellent interpersonal skills.
• An excellent sense of judgement, especially when making decisions regarding the growth and sustainability of team members and partners.
• Demonstrated experience with managing and supporting direct reports.
• Strong experience with computer and internet-based programs, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Drive.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to facilitate small and large group presentations.
• Ability to thrive working both independently and within team settings.
• Must be creative and passionate about youth work and developing team members.
• A sense of humor, curiosity, and resourcefulness are essential.

This position requires travel to various regional locations. School sites are widely dispersed in Michigan, specifically the Lansing-East Lansing metropolitan area, the City of Detroit and Metro Detroit; therefore, daily access to reliable transportation is required.

• Requires flexibility to readily adapt to a changing environment.

Compensation & Benefits:

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

• The salary for this position is $58,900/yr
• This is a full-time, exempt position that reports directly to the regional Program Director.
• 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, and fun-loving place to work, all while contributing to the success of our nation’s youth. So, if you're ready to immerse yourself in the education sector, working on a rewarding set of challenges and if you've got the skills, experience, passion, and a team spirit, 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.

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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.

Playworks is changing the way children experience school every day by leveraging the power of safe and healthy play. We create a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Our ambitions demand that we invest in recruiting, developing, and managing a team that reflects the broad diversity of our communities. Our core values of inclusion, respect, healthy community, and healthy play are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work, including recruiting and retaining the best talent we can.

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.