Program and Volunteer Manager - Scottsdale, AZ
Founded in 2003, GiGi's Playhouse Inc.’s mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all. We profoundly change lives through national campaigns, educational programs, and by empowering individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. All programs are free and are therapeutic or educational in nature. Each one of our programs is designed to work on specific skill development, including speech and language, literacy, socialization, and fine and gross motor skills. GiGi’s Playhouse has opened over 60 locations across North America and is growing by several locations annually.
GiGi’s Playhouse offers innovative programs for children and adults with Down syndrome, designed to develop confidence and the development of a broad variety of skills – educational, therapeutic and career development. Programs are 99% volunteer run. The Program and Volunteer Manager works in-person in the Playhouse and facilitates the implementation of all programs, ensures they operate effectively, supports volunteer recruitment, orientation, scheduling, training, and recognition of volunteers within the Playhouse. This includes making sure programs are properly staffed with skilled and trained volunteers and follow structured curriculums. Interacting well with people at all levels of the organization is necessary - daily communication with staff, volunteers and participants with varied diagnoses and their families will be needed in this role to be successful. A flexible schedule is a must, as you may be needed to oversee or cover programs when needed, including some evenings and weekends. All staff members are the face of GiGi’s Playhouse and play an essential role representing GiGi’s to families, volunteers, donors, and community members.
Reports To: Executive Director
Program Strategy and Planning
- In partnership with Program Committee and/or Executive Director, define long term (6-12 months) program plan, including program sessions, themes, rolling out new programs, etc.
- Work with Playhouse families (surveys, focus groups, etc.) to understand additional demand for new program types, better program times, themes, etc. to ensure the Playhouse is meeting the needs of families while remaining consistent with the GiGi’s mission.
Program Oversight and Continuous Improvement
- Ensure all programs at the Playhouse meet the stated objectives and branding messages delivered by the GiGi’s Playhouse national office
- Maintain a project log for ongoing improvement of current programs and activities to help inform better solutions
- Partner with National Program team to leverage and continually improve centralized strategies and tools for program execution and volunteer management
- Demonstrate sufficient understanding of program objectives and execution models to be able to fill in on occasion to help support program needs.
- Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
- Written and oral communication: Ability to express ideas and thoughts verbally; expresses ideas and thoughts in written form; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others adequately informed; selects and uses appropriate communication methods.
- Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Innovation: Displays original thinking and creativity; meets challenges with resourcefulness; generates suggestions for improving work; develops innovative approaches and ideas; presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
- Planning/Organizing: Prioritizes and plans work activities; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources; sets goals and objectives; organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans.
- Quality: Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; applies feedback to improve performance; monitors own work to ensure quality.
- Customer Service: Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
- Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills related to technical tools.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Education and/or Experience: Five years related experience and/or training in a field working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Marketing experience a plus.
- Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), plus proficiency in social media platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. Ability to work proficiently in a database program (Salesforce) to manage interactions and transactions with all individuals who interface with this location, including volunteer skills and hours, program participation, etc.
- Work Environment: This role requires extensive engagement with playhouse families and the community. It is an in-person role that will have occasional visits to community organizations (e.g., to build relationships with organizations that can partner for volunteer recruitment).
GiGi’s Playhouse Core Values: GiGi’s challenges all staff and volunteers to embody the following core values:
- Enthusiastic: Bringing positive, high energy to your work.
- Best of All: We are always looking to improve every day, with all that we do. Challenge yourself every day to embrace a Generation G life.
- Get It Done: Making things happen and blasting through barriers when needed. Figure it out together.
- Believe: Believe in ourselves, believe in our mission, believe in each other, and believe in the history that brought us here.
- Locally Concerned, Enterprise Minded: We collaborate, share best practices, and leverage the collective learnings from across the GiGi’s network.
