ABOUT THE POSITION, as the Regional Partnerships Manager, this role will be responsible for driving growth through strategic sales, outreach, and partnerships throughout Illinois. This individual will play a pivotal role in expanding Playworks’ impact and visibility across the region. As a member of the leadership team, the ideal candidate will bring creativity, proactiveness, strategy, and execution to strengthen and develop long-term relationships. They will help schools realize the value of play for their students and will build new relationships with potential school and district partners. This position specifically includes a blend of relationship cultivation, strategy and outreach for Playworks services to schools, school districts, community partners and funders.
This is a full-time, exempt position which reports directly to the Executive Director.
Responsibilities include:
Partnerships, Sales & Outreach (60%)
- Responsible for generating new business and meeting regional revenue target for all Playworks Illinois programming through direct sales, pipeline development and relationship management.
- Lead prospecting efforts to identify and engage new partners and business opportunities to increase impact and expand our reach in schools and districts that are of the highest strategic priority.
- Manage and execute the entire sales cycle, from lead generation to closing and contracting.
- Serve as primary contact person for a portfolio of school administrators and consult with schools as needed in achieving regional outcomes.
- In collaboration with the Executive Director and Program Director, cultivate new relationships with community organizations, government agencies and funders as appropriate.
- Collaborate with the regional leadership team to evaluate the quality of services to identify areas for improvement, set goals, and strategically plan for consistent program quality improvements.
- Support data collection for all partners in the region.
Strategy & Leadership (25%)
- Supporting the development and implementation of regional growth strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
- Serve on the leadership team, contributing to strategic decisions and planning, providing insight to shape partnership strategy.
- Lead and facilitate monthly pipeline meetings to track progress, ensure alignment and foster cross-team collaboration.
- Support Playworks’ regional leadership team in executing on an integrated school partnership strategy for growing Playworks’ services and expanding our reach.
- Coordinate with the Playworks Program team and Executive Director to ensure the successful delivery of quality of services and sustainable impact.
Presentation and Facilitation (approximately 15%)
- Represent Playworks at events, conferences, and meetings, promoting awareness and enthusiasm for the mission.
- Deliver compelling, persuasive presentations to diverse audiences, showcasing the value of Playworks programming.
- Facilitate games, workshops, meetings, and demonstrations to engage stakeholders and build momentum for partnerships.
- Develop and maintain relationships with partners pre and post partnership cycle, including visits to schools to provide recess observations and collaborative action planning.
If you're a good fit for this position, you already know most of what this job entails. However, to be sure we're providing a complete picture, here are some additional details:
- Proven experience in sales, partnerships, and outreach, ideally in education, nonprofit, or mission-driven sectors.
- Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic growth plans.
- Experience working on teams and facilitating group discussions or meetings.
- Ability to travel regionally for events and partner meetings as needed.
- A proven ability to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- You will be successful if you possess a growth mindset 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
- Passionate commitment to Playworks’ mission and keen desire to contribute to social impact.
- 2-3 years professional experience working in sales, partnerships or business development.
- 1-2 years working directly with students or school staff in an educational setting.
- Has experience collaborating with a leadership team to drive organizational priorities, bridge cross-functional efforts, and foster cohesiveness.
- Eagerness to learn, continuously improve and represent a growing brand.
- Knowledge of Salesforce and Cirrus is preferred.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills that facilitate customer cultivation and negotiations.
- Excellent relationship management, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Initiative, self starter with an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Knowledge of youth development principles and practices, especially relating to issues of equity, inclusion and healthy competition within sports and physical activity.
- Understanding and experience working in a matrix organizational structure.
Compensation & Benefits:
Playworks offers the full package–great benefits, a fun place to work and an opportunity to grow and thrive professionally. We offer:
- This is a full-time exempt position that reports to the Executive Director.
- This position will be remote (hybrid) with frequent travel. Playworks Illinois does not currently have a physical location, however, the role would require you to be in schools and/or community based organizations occasionally. Additionally, some team meetings will be held in-person.
- At Playworks, our starting salary takes into consideration internal pay equity, geographic pay differential and robust external market data. We highly value transparency and equity within compensation and therefore are committed to adhering to established compensation pay points. The starting salary for this position is $68,500.
- A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, 401(k) with employer match, 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
At Playworks we believe in the power of play to bring out the best in every kid. We are changing the school climate 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.
We are committed to racial equity, and we make a particular effort to recruit people of color, indigenous people, gender non-binary people, and people with historically more marginalized identities to apply for open positions. Our core values of cultivating play, center equity, continued learning and collaboration within communities are the foundation of our organization and are infused in all aspects of our work.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself!
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.
