Posted on June 29, 2012

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Executive Director

For more than 15 years, Playworks has leveraged the power of play at recess and throughout the school day to accelerate children’s learning and improve school climate. In partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Playworks currently serves more than 300 schools in 23 cities across the country, reaching 130,000 children daily. Principals and teachers tell us as a result of having Playworks on their campus, kids are more active, bullying, fights and injuries significantly decrease, and students return to the classroom focused and ready to learn.

In addition to placing Playworks’ staff in schools full-time, Playworks’ Training Department offers fee-for-service workshops and hands-on training and technical assistance to enable schools, school districts and community-based organizations to put our approach into action in their communities. For more information, please visit www.playworks.org.

About the Position:

We're looking for a dynamic, entrepreneurial and talented leader to lead our organization in the Chicago area. The Chicago Executive Director will be responsible for the financial sustainability and growth of the program by developing local funding sources, increasing the number of school partnerships and leading the team that delivers excellent Playworks programs for schools throughout the local districts. This position requires demonstrated success in fundraising, board support and staff leadership. Successful candidates must bring a strong knowledge of the public school system, ability to lead/develop teams and proven experience managing the day-to-day operations of a growing direct service organization. This position reports to a Regional Executive Director and is located in Chicago, IL.

Duties Include, but are not limited to:

• Manage Chicago based fundraising activities including developing foundations relationships, corporate sponsorships and individual donor solicitation strategies
• Grow and support a Chicago Board of Directors charged with providing guidance, actively supporting fundraising goals, and increasing networks for Playworks throughout Chicago
• Work closely with a Regional Executive Director to design and implement a development plan for the Chicago region
• Serve as external face of Playworks in the community, within schools, in philanthropic circles and in the media to increase visibility and brand awareness
• Work with community volunteers and volunteer agencies to promote greater community involvement
• Lead all efforts to expand programming in new school districts and continually recruit new school partnerships

Program Oversight and Operations

• Provide leadership for a team of Playworks staff; establish organizational values, promote a fun, collaborative environment while communicating expectations and employee recognition
• Manage the city budget and work with the Regional Executive Officer to develop and monitor programmatic budgets (program and leagues); including securing contracts and accounts receivables with schools and districts
• Supervise and provide guidance to the team responsible for Playworks’ Chicago programming, including program planning, implementation, expansion, evaluation and overall program quality
• Work closely with national leadership team and with City Executive Directors throughout the country to gather, share and implement best practices and promote learning amongst Playworks cities
• Ensure a wide array of professional development opportunities for each team member and effective performance evaluation systems that promote growth and achievement of individual and organizational goals

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience as a successful leader in the nonprofit sector, government, private sector or education with proven visionary management and strategic planning capability
• Ability to employ creative fundraising techniques to drive the sustainability of the Chicago office
• Entrepreneurial self-starter and creative thinker with experience producing results in a rapidly growing, deadline-driven, fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong experience managing a highly capable team using outcomes measurement and goal-setting
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Playworks
• Experience creating and maintaining high-level relationships within the philanthropic community, school districts, government and private sector
• Knowledge of the cultural landscape of Chicago and surrounding communities and an ability to build collaborations with a variety of existing and new community contacts
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• Strong computer skills, ability to use existing technology to achieve desired results; Knowledge of Salesforce, and the Google platform a plus
• Ability to lead and inspire others and build a team environment
• High professional standards with the ability to see big picture and manage practical details
• Passionate commitment to Playworks’ mission and youth development approach
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive Non-Profit salary with potential bonus
• Employer-paid health coverage
• Access to employee-funded pre-tax health and child care spending accounts
• Paid vacation, sick and holiday leave

Application Instructions

To Apply:

• Go to http://www.playworks.org/jobs/office/apply-now to upload your resume and a thoughtful cover letter
• Please no phone calls
• Position will remain open until filled