Partnership Manager

Job Title: Advising and Coaching Partnership Manager

Classification: Salaried: Exempt

Salary: $77,400.00 

Reports to: Lead of Advising and Coaching 

Benefits: Full benefits package includes health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Also includes education support program, employee development program, 403(b) retirement plan( with standard 4% employer contribution and up to an additional 3% match), 240 hours of PTO, 13 paid holidays, 6 weeks fully paid parental leave, employee assistance program, downtown Lansing parking permit and cell phone reimbursement.

Employment Type: Full-Time, In-Person (statewide travel expected): 40 hours per week

Location: Lansing, Michigan

POSITION SUMMARY

The Partnership Manager will oversee a caseload of 15-20 MCAN AmeriCorps Members that are geographically dispersed throughout the state. Partnership Managers are responsible for ensuring AmeriCorps Members adhere to AmeriCorps and program (AdviseMI and College Completion Corps) policies and expectations, are integrating a college attainment culture into the community host site and are successfully supporting Michigan students to be on the path to obtaining a college degree or certificate to move Michigan closer to Sixty by 30. Partnership Managers also ensure that site supervisors and other local partners understand the program and are meeting program requirements and expectations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Functional Responsibilities 

Site Support and Partnership: Facilitate new strategies and ideas, via the AmeriCorps Members, for AdviseMI and College Completion Corps partner host sites to increase student attainment outcomes.

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with partner high school and campuses and their administration/staff. This includes on-going and meaningful communication and jointly finding solutions to issues that arise with the partnership.
• Enable sustainability for college access and success in the community and host site by bridging AmeriCorps Members’ service terms, supporting sites that may not have a placed AmeriCorps Member, prepare new partners, and work with host sites to build systems to maintain momentum and student centric impact.
• Elevate effective practices from host site partners and share learnings with the field.
• Ensure the AmeriCorps Members and host sites are appropriately and proactively connecting to MCAN initiatives, departments, staff, and programs to achieve impact, including opportunities for professional development, grants, and convenings. Serve as a conduit between partner sites and opportunities and resources of MCAN. 
• Represent the department in the second-round interview process (including the candidate(s) and host site) and share recruitment materials to ensure placement of AmeriCorps Members within the assigned caseload.
• Support the Lead of Advising and Coaching in the administration of the program, including specific grant/funder requirements.

Data-Informed Strategy: Employ a data-informed approach to promote impact.

• Coordinate with AmeriCorps Members and partner host sites, via formal meetings and on-going discussion to set outcome goals. Utilize program specific materials to track and analyze these goals on an ongoing basis using real-time data and implement strategies to ensure successful completion of college access and success goals.
• Engage in monthly departmental strategy meetings to identify themes of support and develop strategies to support impact based upon real-time context.
• Complete quarterly reports to analyze progress made towards impact measures, to identify strategies for increasing metrics in the next quarter, to assess host sites, and to begin planning areas of support and/or additional training that to provide to the assigned caseload.
• Facilitate meetings with AmeriCorps Members and/or sites, in-person or virtually, for ongoing learning and connection, including formal professional development sessions, sharing best practices, and other opportunities.
• Represent the department through travel to partner host sites and communities with the purpose of building and maintaining local community relationships, including with local college access networks, scholarship programs, community-based organizations, other college attainment initiatives, and higher education institutions. Conduct approximately two site visits per program year.
• Collaborate across MCAN programs, including the High School Innovations team, the Higher Education Innovation team, and the Community Mobilization team, to maximize opportunities and minimize redundancy.
• Develop, refine, and share resources with AmeriCorps Members, sites, and other stakeholders, promoting consistency across partnership manager caseloads and in the Advising and Coaching Department.

Accountability: Ensure AmeriCorps Members, site supervisors and sites are adhering to AmeriCorps and program policies and expectations.

• Establish clear goals, expectations and accountability measures aligned with departmental and organizational priorities.
• Develop tracking systems to evaluate AmeriCorps Members on an ongoing basis to ensure AmeriCorps Members meet service deliverables and achieve impact, adhering to AmeriCorps policies. Partnership Managers will provide coaching, in partnership with the site supervisor, to AmeriCorps Members for improvement. In instances where expectations are not being met, the Partnership Manager will implement the program’s discipline policy, incorporate program documentation requirements and collaborate with the Lead of Advising and Coaching and the MCAN Human Resources team.
• Complete formal evaluations on at least a biannual basis, in partnership with the on-site supervisor.
• Utilize partnership assessment tools and develop other tracking systems to evaluate host sites on an ongoing basis to ensure host sites are in alignment with the MOU and adhering to AmeriCorps policies. In instances where expectations are not being met, Partnership Managers will provide coaching to sites for improvement.
• Work with the Lead of Advising and Coaching to plan and execute member training, and professional development, including program orientation, off-cycle program orientation, and on-going monthly trainings. This includes accessing training needs with AmeriCorps Members and site supervisors, making appropriate training arraignments (collaborating with the Department Lead) to finalize training content, secure speakers (if needed), etc.), evaluating training effectiveness, and following up to ensure learnings are implemented. 
• Work with the Lead of Advising and Coaching on AmeriCorps Members and site recognition, including highlights online and social media, nominations for awards, local recognition opportunities, and sharing success stories internally and externally. 
• Develop resources and support the AmeriCorps Members to promote program retention and plan for Life After AmeriCorps. This includes conversations on their aspirations, exploring options, and providing connections where relevant. 

Equity and Inclusion

• Lead and champion equity-centered strategies, policies and practices within areas of responsibility, consistent with MCAN’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Contribute to a workplace culture that values diverse perspectives, continuous learning and inclusive practices.

Organizational Participation

• Actively participate in organizational meetings and cross-functional initiatives.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven and values-aligned organizational culture.
• Engage in continuous learning, professional development and organizational improvement efforts.
• Support organizational priorities and initiative as needed to advance MCAN’s mission.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Support the planning and implementation of departmental goals and strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree preferred. 
• Three to five years of experience with supervision and management
• Three to five years engaging in college access or success related field.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Have an ability to collaborate across departments on multiple projects and timelines and work independently with minimal management to effectively perform duties in a fast-paced environment.
• Have ability to think critically to solve problems, pay attention to detail, and follow through on tasks assigned through completion.
• Work efficiently and adhere to established deadlines.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Have a passion for working in the nonprofit and education sector, especially for postsecondary attainment.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of working on a computer either in a sitting or standing position.
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate organization’s office facilities.
• Ability for regular in-state and national travel and overnight stays.