Position Summary:

The Senior Manager, Network Engagement, is a member of the Center Relations Team, which leads the organization’s engagement and support of Challenger Learning Centers. As Senior Manager, Network Engagement, they will serve as the primary day-to-day contact for Centers, ensuring each Center stays connected to the Headquarters team, has access to the information and support needed to succeed, and understands the mission of the overall organization. Ensuring each Challenger Learning Center understands the value and benefits of the partnership is key to the role.

In collaboration with the Vice President, Center Relations, the Senior Manager will develop and implement a strategy that builds and continually strengthens the partnership with all Challenger Learning Centers and fosters strong relationships with each local team. They will create and execute plans that increase engagement with and between Challenger Learning Centers, sharing resources and best practices, and coordinating collaboration across the Centers.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for all Challenger Learning Centers, providing proactive strategic outreach and timely, supportive responses to requests.
• Understand the needs of each Center, evolving outreach and resources to address those needs.
• Lead the execution of a proactive communications plan, including email newsletters, conference calls, webinars, in-person visits, and website updates.
• Plan and execute the annual multi-day meeting, including site selection, registration management, session and speaker development, and on-site logistics.
• Support onboarding of new Challenger Learning Centers and new staff at existing Centers.
• Work across teams on Challenger Learning Center-specific initiatives such as program distribution, consulting services, partnerships, grants, special events, etc.
• Ensure the collection of program impact data and organize and analyze annual reports.
• Manage outside contractors/vendor relationships.
• Play a substantial role in developing the annual department plan and budget.

Administrative

• Keep abreast of relevant industry trends and best practices in STEM education, education technology, nonprofits, etc., and share knowledge with others.
• Identify and share funding and partnership opportunities and assist with proposals as needed.
• Attend staff meetings, assist with office support, and participate in professional networking and team-building activities. Support other administrative duties as needed.
• Track and maintain database of interactions and engagement with Centers.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 5+ years of relevant experience in relationship/partner management, associations and networks and/or communications. Prior experience working with or at a Challenger Learning Center a plus.
• Experience with nonprofits, membership organizations or affiliates
• Ability to travel 25% of the time
• Strong relationship-building skills with exceptional service-oriented attitude
• Event planning experience
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and speaking/presenting
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple projects/activities.
• Strong program management skills leading to execution of concurrent projects
• Experience with creating and managing project budgets

Work Location & Flexibility:

While we prefer candidates based in the Washington, D.C. area where team members work in the office two days per week as part of our hybrid policy, we are open to considering strong candidates outside the area for a fully remote position. Successful candidates will work during Central and/or Eastern Time Zone hours.

Salary and Benefits:

We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive compensation. The salary range for this position is $65,000 – $95,000 and will be dependent on experience and employee location. We desire to maintain the best possible environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the organization. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re ready to be part of a transformative organization that believes in the power of STEM education, we want to hear from you!

Applicants should submit both a resume and a cover letter to careers@challenger.org for consideration. Only complete applications will be reviewed. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to every submission, but we truly appreciate your interest in joining our team.

We are an equal opportunity employer that welcomes and encourages diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.