About iMentor
iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions. Students work with their mentors one-on-one, in-person and online, to develop strong personal relationships, nurture a college aspiration, navigate the college application process, and build critical skills that lead to college success. In Chicago, iMentor partners with four public schools to ensure every student in the schools receives a mentor. iMentor also provides its curriculum, technology, and best practices to help nonprofits run effective programs in the iMentor model.
iMentor Chicago programming launched in fall 2015 and has grown from 208 pairs to 1,035 in just two years. This year, iMentor is serving more than 6,800 more mentor-mentee pairs nationwide. iMentor raised $2MM nationally to support the launch of iMentor Chicago in the fall of 2015, and the Chicago team raised $800K and tripled in size in its first year of operation, with staff coming from Urban Prep, Mikva Challenge, University of Illinois at Chicago, Teach for America, and the Illinois College Advising Corps.
iMentor has been recognized nationally through funding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, New Profit, the Lumina Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Robin Hood Foundation, and was a subgrantee of the federal Social Innovation Fund. As a team, we are collaborative, fun, bring passion and joy to our work, and deeply believe in human potential. iMentor was recently named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For by Opportunity Knocks and The Nonprofit Times. Read more about our work and values at: http://www.imentor.org
Position Overview
iMentor is seeking a dynamic, creative and entrepreneurial professional to recruit volunteer mentors for iMentor Chicago’s 1:1 college success mentoring program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Corporate & Community Engagement, the Manager of Volunteer Engagement (MVE) will be responsible for creating and executing community engagement and outreach initiatives to mobilize a pool of high-quality, well-prepared mentors (approximately 600 annually) to drive college success outcomes for our mentees.
The MVE will collaborate with the Senior Director to implement a recruitment strategy that is both scalable and sustainable as our program grows. As the lead for all non-employer-based outreach and recruitment, the MVE will steward existing and build new partnerships with a wide variety of community groups, alumni organizations, small businesses, and associations, with a focus on building a volunteer mentor base that represents the diversity of Chicago.
The ideal candidate will have experience in volunteer recruitment, partnership development, community relations or engagement, volunteer management, sales, or promotions. They will be a natural networker who is able to build and maintain a strong bridge to the communities iMentor serves throughout the city. The MVE will be motivated and energized by ambitious goals and must have strong project management skills, and a focus on details, customer service, follow through, and results.
Responsibilities
- Create and execute iMentor Chicago’s community-based outreach, mentor recruitment strategy and engagement to ensure enough high-quality, well-prepared mentors and continue growing the diversity – race, industry, age, neighborhood – of our mentor pool
- Prepare for, lead, and/or support info sessions, mentor orientations and other trainings
- Identify and pursue high potential community recruitment opportunities, which may include speaking engagements, networking events, online postings, and community partnerships
- Devise new, innovative approaches to recruitment outreach and our selection process of qualified volunteers
- Manage communications and follow up with prospective partner organizations, groups, and individuals, acting as the 'face of the organization' and ensuring a superior recruitment process and volunteer experience
- Manage iMentor Chicago’s Mentor Ambassador program
- Maintain accurate records in Salesforce, and collect and analyze data to assess the performance of current recruitment initiatives and inform future mentor outreach strategies
- Manage existing community partnerships to drive mentor recruitment and intake; grow partnerships for increased participation; meet ambitious recruitment targets to support organizational growth
- In partnership with the Senior Director, Corporate & Community Engagement, create and lead engagement campaigns and events for new and existing mentors, including mentor engagement and appreciation
- Support iMentor organization-wide initiatives, requiring occasional evening and/or weekend events
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of work experience, with at least 3 years of experience in volunteer recruitment, community organizing, volunteer engagement and/or partnership cultivation and management
- Experience working in Chicago, and a deep understanding of Chicago communities and networks
- Strong networker who has the natural ability to build bridges with a wide variety of people and communities, connect people with causes, and engage them to take action
- Entrepreneurial, resourceful and persistent
- Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze data, recognize trends, and make recommendations
- Skilled project manager who can identify needs, scope projects, implement strategy and see something through to completion
- Strong public speaking, writing and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate a wide variety of people; intuitive, empathic communicator who can quickly build rapport, trust, and credibility
- Outstanding organizational and time management skills with the ability to juggle many tasks simultaneously without sacrificing thoroughness and detail
- Customer service orientation with superior relationship-building skills
- Quick learner and hard worker with the ability to thrive under pressure and deadlines
- Desire to work in a fast-paced environment; flexible and adaptive to changing priorities
- Comfortable taking on both high- and low-level tasks and projects, from driving strategy to managing data and preparing materials for events
- Aligned in thought and action with iMentor's values (http://www.imentor.org/values
- Views differences between individuals (race, gender, age, cultural heritage, physical ability, education and lifestyle) as an asset and demonstrates an appreciation of the diversity within iMentor
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory fingerprinting and criminal background check
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary commensurate with experience
- Up to 100% employer funded comprehensive medical and dental coverage
- 18 days paid annual vacation and 13 paid holidays + most iMentor functions closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- 401K match up to 4%
- Significant opportunities for professional development and growth
How to Apply
Visit www.imentor.org/jobs to submit a resume, salary history and detailed cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in candidates’ best interest to apply as soon as possible. No phone, email, mail, or fax inquiries will receive a response.
iMentor is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity