Volunteer Innovation Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB TITLE: Partnerships & Volunteer Manager

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

DATE: March 2025

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

A coat. A meal. A pair of glasses. Simple things like these often stand between a child and their ability to learn. Care to Learn partners with Missouri school districts and community members to fill these gaps and to help keep students focused on what matters most: learning.

You can help a child succeed.

You are an includer. You have a passion for representing voices that are not always heard. You can interact with all people and keep them effectively connected. You naturally think about how things are connected and how everyone relies on each other. You are a bridge builder and do your best work when you can showcase these talents.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB

This position leads community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and Closet Program operations for Care to Learn. This role prioritizes building and stewarding relationships with businesses, organizations, and volunteers that lead to increased support, financial, in-kind, and service-based, while ensuring Closet Program operations are executed with excellence and consistency.

Working closely with organizational leadership, this position will play a key role in shaping and strengthening Care to Learn's community engagement strategy. As the organization grows including the addition of development leadership and the transition into a new facility, this role is expected to evolve, with opportunities to expand impact, refine strategy, and enhance the overall volunteer and partnership experience.

The Partnerships & Closet Program Manager plays a critical role in expanding Care to Learn's reach and impact by connecting community engagement to program execution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PERFORMANCE AREAS

1. Community Partnerships & Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses and community organizations
• Cultivate opportunities for financial support, sponsorships, and in-kind donations
• Convert community relationships and volunteer engagement into long-term supporters and advocates
• Serve as the primary point of contact for partnerships, ensuring strong communication and stewardship
• Represent Care to Learn in the community through meetings, presentations, and events
• Collaborate with leadership to align partnership opportunities with organizational priorities
  

2. Volunteer Program Leadership

• Implement and lead a comprehensive volunteer program
• Recruit, schedule, and coordinate volunteers and group opportunities
• Create a meaningful, mission-driven volunteer experience
• Utilize systems for volunteer communication, tracking, and engagement
• Establish volunteer recognition and retention strategies
• Engage volunteers in program support, fundraising, and events
• Build pathways for volunteers to become long-term supporters and advocates
  

3. Closet Program Operations

• Lead planning, setup, execution, and breakdown of monthly Pick Packs and Restocks
• Ensure Closet Program spaces are organized, stocked, and operationally ready
• Maintain systems that support efficient and consistent program execution
• Collaborate with internal teams to align program operations with organizational needs
• Leverage volunteers to support the execution of Closet Program activities
  

4. Events & Organizational Support

• Organize and support partnership events and volunteer opportunities (on- and off-site)
• Support Care to Learn special events and initiatives as needed
• Collaborate across teams to ensure alignment between community engagement and program execution
  

5. Continuous Improvement & Impact

• Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships, volunteer engagement, and program operations
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, growth, and innovation
• Track and report on partnership, volunteer, and program impact
• Contribute to storytelling that highlights community involvement and mission impact
  

6. Inventory & Logistics Management

• Maintain an accurate inventory of Closet Program items
• Track incoming and outgoing inventory across all program activities
• Monitor inventory levels and proactively communicate needs
• Coordinate supply needs with staff, partners, and donors
  

ROLE BALANCE & EXPECTATIONS

This role balances external relationship development with internal program execution. Success requires the ability to:

• Prioritize high-impact partnership and volunteer engagement work
• Build systems that allow Closet Program operations to run efficiently
• Leverage volunteers to support program execution
• Adapt focus seasonally based on program and community needs
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong commitment to Care to Learn's mission and core values
• Ability to build and sustain relationships across diverse audiences
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Ability to balance external engagement with internal operations
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to lead volunteers and create an engaging experience
• Systems thinker with strong attention to detail
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
• Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms)
  

Physical Requirements and Percentage of Work Time Spent on Activity

• Seeing: Must be able to see to read documents/reports and use computer. 75-100%
• Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with staff, donors, vendors, and general public. 75-100%
• Sitting: Must be able to sit for long periods of time. 50-74%
• Standing/Walking: Must be able to move about the work area. 50-74%
• Climbing/Stooping/Kneeling: Must be able to stoop or kneel to pick up items off the floor. 50-74%
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift 20 pounds with or without reasonable assistance. 50-74%
• Grasping/Feeling: Must be able to type, handle documents, and use equipment and electronic devices. 75-100%

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years of experience in partnerships, community engagement, operations, or related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Education, Nonprofit Management, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit, education, or community-based work preferred
• Experience managing volunteers and/or programs strongly preferred.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal working conditions in an office absent extreme factors. Some travel may be required up to 25% percent of the time.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Also, they do not establish an employment contract and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

Care to Learn is an equal opportunity employer and employer decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or creed, disability, national origin, or any other protected status.

Excellent benefits package available. Salary commensurate with experience.

About Care to Learn

Founded in 2008, Care to Learn exists to meet children's emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so they can succeed in school. To date, Care to Learn has met over 4,600,000+ health, hunger, and hygiene needs of Missouri students. Headquartered in Springfield, MO, Care to Learn serves a population of 135,000+ students in 55+ school districts.

The Care to Learn team is guided by our core values: servant-hearted, enthusiastic, striving for excellence, and constantly innovating. We are passionate and highly driven professionals excited to further the Care to Learn mission by positively impacting the communities we serve.