What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager of Community Engagement/PHL position at Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts?
About Cradles To Crayons
Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive.
Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity—just one example of the significant short- and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct—a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021.
Cradles to Crayons takes a three-pronged approach to mitigating Clothing Insecurity:
Position Overview
This position reports to the Associate Director of Partnerships & Engagement and supervises the Community Engagement Coordinator. The Manager of Community Engagement serves as a key management team member and an active participant in developing strategies affecting Cradles to Crayons’ acquisition of donated children’s items from the community, with an emphasis on identifying a sustainable model and growth pattern. In partnership with the Operations team, the Manager of Community Engagement is responsible for the organization’s efforts to acquire new and like-new donated children’s items to meet product acquisition goals.
The Manager of Community Engagement strengthens existing partnerships and forges new relationships to help build Cradles visibility, impact, and financial resources. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit with flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment and with individuals with different work styles will be critical for the success of this individual. Given the cross-organization nature of this position, an ability to work across all disciplines and throughout the organization in a persuasive and credible manner is a requirement.
Major Responsibilities
Team and Organizational Support
The estimated salary range for this position is $55,000-$60,000. The compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from the posted range based on geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.
This is a benefits-eligible position. Cradles to Crayons benefits include, but are not limited to:
Diversity and Inclusiveness are core values at Cradles to Crayons, and we continuously strive to be a team where everyone feels welcome and supported. It is the policy of Cradles to Crayons to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Working Conditions
This is a warehouse environment and normal changes in temperature are to be expected while working inside the warehouse or outside, on or around the loading dock. There are no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.
Accommodation
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made by Cradles to Crayons which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or which impose undue hardships on the organization.
About CRADLES TO CRAYONS
Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive. Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity—just one example of the significant short- and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, NYC, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct—a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021. Cradles to Crayons takes a three-pronged approach to mitigating Clothing Insecurity: 1. In-person Engagement—through tens of thousands of children and adults volunteering at our Giving Factory warehouses to sort and package high volumes of new and like-new donations from our communities for our Service Partners to distribute to the children they serve. 2. Online Product Donations—Giving Factory Direct matches product donors directly to children who need the items they have to donate. GFD is currently available in a growing number of communities as we expand our reach nationally. 3. Advocacy and Awareness—Cradles to Crayons is uniquely positioned to raise Clothing Insecurity as a national issue through awareness campaigns, data/evaluation, and legislative outreach. Cradles to Crayons has earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. Only 2% of charities nationwide have received this distinction. C2C has a budget of $12.9M for FY22.
Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive.
Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity—just one example of the significant short- and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct—a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021.
Cradles to Crayons takes a three-pronged approach to mitigating Clothing Insecurity:
- In-person Engagement—through tens of thousands of children and adults volunteering at our Giving Factory warehouses to sort and package high volumes of new and like-new donations from our communities for our Service Partners to distribute to the children they serve.
- Online Product Donations—Giving Factory Direct matches product donors directly to children who need the items they have to donate. GFD is currently available in a growing number of communities as we expand our reach nationally.
- Advocacy and Awareness—Cradles to Crayons is uniquely positioned to raise Clothing Insecurity as a national issue through awareness campaigns, data/evaluation, and legislative outreach.
Position Overview
This position reports to the Associate Director of Partnerships & Engagement and supervises the Community Engagement Coordinator. The Manager of Community Engagement serves as a key management team member and an active participant in developing strategies affecting Cradles to Crayons’ acquisition of donated children’s items from the community, with an emphasis on identifying a sustainable model and growth pattern. In partnership with the Operations team, the Manager of Community Engagement is responsible for the organization’s efforts to acquire new and like-new donated children’s items to meet product acquisition goals.
The Manager of Community Engagement strengthens existing partnerships and forges new relationships to help build Cradles visibility, impact, and financial resources. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit with flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment and with individuals with different work styles will be critical for the success of this individual. Given the cross-organization nature of this position, an ability to work across all disciplines and throughout the organization in a persuasive and credible manner is a requirement.
Major Responsibilities
- Model and lead a positive One Cradles culture, underpinned by Cradles Cultural Values and related behaviors.
- Develop and implement a strategic work plan to enhance relationships with key community stakeholders, strategic partners, and supporters.
- Leverage assets and build high-impact partnerships and strategies to meet quarterly and annual goals for product intake.
- Identify new and existing external relationships with high growth potential and work across departments, particularly Development, to maximize product collection, revenue, volunteer engagement, and visibility for each.
- Establish and maintain a network of donation drop-off locations as well as oversee the addition of community hub locations in key geographic sites.
- Supervise and coach a team so they can work seamlessly across the Operations and Development departments.
- Foster an environment that leverages individual and team strengths to meet organizational needs.
- Coordinate and execute community events and meetings including logistics, invitation list, volunteer engagement, site visits and follow up. Includes weekend and evening events.
- Assist in strategic in-kind acquisition and product purchasing planning to support recycled product goals.
- Represent Cradles to Crayons in public-facing meetings, events, and presentations.
Team and Organizational Support
- Serve as a member of the Operations Team and lead efforts to develop and create partnerships to reach product acquisition goals while also strengthening donor relationships across the greater Philadelphia region.
- Manage team members and team performance; train or provide adequate training for each employee; coach, counsel and motivate employees; and evaluate employee.
- Oversee the strategic management and engagement of community-based volunteers in impact-based tasks related to the C2C mission to increase visibility and product intake in the community.
- Work in partnership with the Director of Operations to develop retail corporate and community partnerships across the region.
- Work with the Development and Marketing teams to grow and promote the C2C brand in the community and across the region.
- Support Cradles to Crayons operations and signature events as necessary.
- Work closely with the Development team to identify and target communities to leverage the Giving Factory as a resource to collect product donations.
- Establish and steward networks of support in targeted communities.
- Research, grow and sustain regional retail partnerships for collection and in-kind product donations.
- Organize and unite community networkers under a common goal of achieving full Cradles to Crayons engagement in target communities.
- Support the maintenance of positive donor relationships through positive interaction, timely follow-up and excellent customer service skills. Develop and build a sustainable model for volunteer and collection opportunities including a network of drop off locations outside the Giving Factory warehouse.
- Perform the duties needed to run the General Sort, Clothing Sort, Sizing, Outfits, Books, Shoes, SUPs, and Kitting stations
- Assist the Inventory Logistics Coordinator with the movement, organization, and tracking of inventory.
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining effective communication and coordination with other employees, partners, volunteers, and visitors.
- Always work in a safe manner and contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for other employees and volunteers.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Communications, Business, Organizational Development or another relevant field.
- 3-5 years of experience in community engagement and mobilization programs, relationship development, volunteer management, training and development preferably in programs that are local/regional in scope.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience providing superior customer service.
- Effective interpersonal, organizational, project management and prioritization skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
- Demonstrated practice of exemplary leadership skills (e.g., delegation, management, motivation, and training).
- Computer literacy (e.g., PC and Warehouse Management Systems; Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Salesforce).
- Team player; demonstrate a positive and supportive attitude and willingness to work closely with C2Cs team at all levels.
- Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs regularly.
- Capable of driving a 15-foot box truck and cargo van.
- A car, valid drivers license, medical clearance for truck operation and valid auto insurance, as well as clear driving record.
- Strong commitment to Cradles to Crayons mission and a passion for non-profit work.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce or Raisers Edge.
- Requires flexibility to work weekends and evening events.
The estimated salary range for this position is $55,000-$60,000. The compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from the posted range based on geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other things.
This is a benefits-eligible position. Cradles to Crayons benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Health benefits including medical, dental, vision and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement.
- Employer-sponsored short- and long-term disability and basic life insurance
- Retirement plan matching
- Paid time off, including Summer Fridays and Winter Closure
- Annual professional development stipend
Diversity and Inclusiveness are core values at Cradles to Crayons, and we continuously strive to be a team where everyone feels welcome and supported. It is the policy of Cradles to Crayons to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Working Conditions
This is a warehouse environment and normal changes in temperature are to be expected while working inside the warehouse or outside, on or around the loading dock. There are no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.
Accommodation
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made by Cradles to Crayons which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or which impose undue hardships on the organization.
About CRADLES TO CRAYONS
Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive. Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity—just one example of the significant short- and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, NYC, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct—a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021. Cradles to Crayons takes a three-pronged approach to mitigating Clothing Insecurity: 1. In-person Engagement—through tens of thousands of children and adults volunteering at our Giving Factory warehouses to sort and package high volumes of new and like-new donations from our communities for our Service Partners to distribute to the children they serve. 2. Online Product Donations—Giving Factory Direct matches product donors directly to children who need the items they have to donate. GFD is currently available in a growing number of communities as we expand our reach nationally. 3. Advocacy and Awareness—Cradles to Crayons is uniquely positioned to raise Clothing Insecurity as a national issue through awareness campaigns, data/evaluation, and legislative outreach. Cradles to Crayons has earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. Only 2% of charities nationwide have received this distinction. C2C has a budget of $12.9M for FY22.
Salary : $55,000 - $60,000