Manager of School Initiatives

Organization

Special Olympics Nevada works to create inclusive opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities through health, education, leadership development and sports. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization offers free year-round training and competition programs for 2,653 athletes in more than 14 competitions in 7 sports annually within the Community Sports Program. The Unified Champion Schools Program encourages leadership development and the growth of Unified Sports®, bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to play as teammates. In 2022, Special Olympics Nevada launched a new program, Mindset Matters, which provides mental health and stress management techniques to students in Nevada schools. In a typical year, Special Olympics Nevada impacts more than 17,820 students by promoting inclusion on school campuses. Special Olympics Nevada is also committed to improving the overall health and well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities through Healthy Athletes events, offering screenings and services free of charge. Special Olympics Nevada relies on the support of 759 volunteers and funding from individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations.

Position Description

Reporting to SONV’s Director of Schools Initiatives, the Manager of Schools Initiatives will drive recruitment efforts for SONV’s Unified Champion Schools, Urban Initiatives Programs, and student engagement efforts. The Manager of Schools Initiatives is responsible for training school staff, students, and district administration on SONV’s school’s programs, expense management, and managing program performance records.

You’ll be a good fit for this job if you…

• Have a passion for our movement.
• Have a proven track in program strategy and implementation.
• Are experienced working with volunteers and people with disabilities.
• Possess excellent computer skills, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Are detail-oriented, highly organized, self-starter, capable of taking direction with ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Have excellent relationship-building, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Have the ability to travel and occasionally work evenings and weekends to meet job requirements.
• Have demonstrated management skills that enable the execution of event plans and projects.

If you excel in rapidly changing environments and diligently meet deadlines, you’ll fit right in with this team. We are a dynamic, fun, fast-paced and highly productive organization looking to create more inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

SONV offers a generous array of benefits to our employees: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, basic life & long-term disability insurance. We also provide a 401K match, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid personal days, paid sick days, and pre-tax reimbursement accounts, and permit business casual attire.

SONV is an equal-opportunity employer.

Position Overview

Reporting to SONV’s Director of Schools Initiatives, the Manager of Schools Initiatives will drive recruitment efforts for SONV’s Unified Champion Schools, Urban Initiatives Programs, and student engagement efforts. The Manager of Schools Initiatives is responsible for training school staff, students, and district administration on SONV’s schools’ programs, expense management and managing program performance records.

UNIFIED CHAMPION AND URBAN SCHOOLS INITIATIVES PROGRAM

• Responsible for supporting and helping grow Special Olympics North America (SONA) Unified Champion Schools (USC) and Urban Schools Initiatives, primarily in Northern Nevada.
• Assist in fostering relationships with Nevada school districts, Nevada Interscholastic Association, and local community organizations.
• Provide Director of Schools Initiatives with accurate data collection, data reporting, and support needed for annual strategy session with SONA teams.
• Provide recommendations to Director of Schools Initiatives on schools/admin./students to recognize for program achievements.
• Lead program area recruitment and actively target and engage both retained and newly recruited schools, educators, athletes, and partners to participate in UCS components to ensure program targets achieved.
• Ensure program expenses remain in line with the annual programs budget.
• Assist in development and/or creation and dissemination of program materials, information tools, newsletters, resources, and toolkits to support school’s implementation.
• Provide support, guidance, and assistance to UCS liaisons implementing UCS strategies and program components.
• Conduct on-site visits to schools for events, presentations, and meetings.
• Serve as the primary liaison for local schools, assisting and/or leading program implementation and expansion.

General Duties

• Adhere to Special Olympics Nevada, Inc. (SONV) mission and alignment with SONV BRITE values.
• Follow all departmental guidelines and procedures in accordance with trainings and protocols.
• Actively engage in Special Olympics all-staff activities, meetings, discussions, and special events
• Attend meetings, public speaking events, workshops, conferences, and program events, as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience in education, youth program development, sport administration or recreation, preferred.
• Volunteer and/or staff management experience with persons with intellectual disabilities, volunteers, educators, youth, or diverse group of individuals.
• Experience collaborating in diverse environments; ability to manage competing task and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Experience working independently and organized to meet established deadlines; critical problem solving; ability to seek assistance or guidance from others.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong computer skills, proficient in use of Microsoft Office software
• Willingness to travel; primarily throughout Northern Nevada.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to interact with
• school administration, staff, students, and families.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power point. Familiarity with Google docs and forms, desired. 

Work Environment and Job Specifications

• Remote work environment. Must reside in Northern Nevada area.
• Work with frequent interruption.
• Sit for extended period of times.
• Lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to travel.
• Some weekends, evenings, and overnights will occasionally be required.