Campus Expansion Manager

Debate it Forward: Campus Expansion Manager

Organization Background

Debate it Forward (DIF) is a rapidly growing 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded in 2016, DIF specializes in communication and debate programs for young students, students of low income, and students with diagnosed learning or developmental differences. Two years ago, DIF was working with 20 students a week. Today, DIF is working with 400 students a week.

Organization Values

Debate it Forward is guided by six core values:

• Accountability
• Ownership
• Problem Solving Skills
• “Students First” Mentality
• Empathy
• Adaptability

The Role

The Campus Expansion Manager will seed Debate it Forward operations at a new college campus (either Northwestern or Loyola). Campus Expansion Manager will lead efforts and strategy to scale the organization in a new environment.   

Key responsibilities include:

• Teaching
• Co-teach DIF classes throughout the school year; ensure best practices are utilized in and out of the classroom
• Utilize existing curriculum and provide content improvements and updated lessons to further improve DIF content; administer impact measurements to ensure that lessons are being taught effectively
• Campus Operations
• Establish and implement goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effect changes required for improvement. This ranges from creating staff schedules to rewarding strong teaching performance.
• Source and recruit college staff through various techniques (databases, e-mail, social media, etc.) including general strategies and university specific approaches (e.g. Handshake)
• Plan and coordinate professional development opportunities and trainings for staff including workshops, meetings, classroom assessment; implement coaching sessions and mentorship programs to establish a culture of continuous learning; oversee learning activities, curriculum and resources-evaluate the results of learning courses; coordinate and plan team bonding activities to ensure positive morale.
• Strategic Growth and Expansion
• Provide long-­range planning for DIF university hub to include recruitment, training, further expansion, funding, and general maintenance and upkeep programs in accordance with campus strategies and master plans
• Develop, document and apply innovative approaches, solutions, and techniques to account for lessons learned, hurdles experienced, and milestones reached. Coordinate with, report and make recommendations to senior management in order to grow market share, improve customer experience and drive growth
• Act as a liaison between Leadership and the campus by working closely with both parties and communicating feedback and progress
• School Partnerships 
• Identify and analyze opportunities for new DIF partner schools; source prospects, pitch, negotiate, and close with interested school partners 
• Oversee work before partnership launch; coordinate and collect prerequisites for school contracts (rosters, waivers, surveys, etc.).Work closely with Leadership to ensure that all expansion efforts are consistent with and supportive of the DIF model
• Other duties as assigned

Role Location

 The Campus Expansion Manager (CEM) will be based in two primary locations: Debate it Forward’s Chicago Streeterville office (541 N Fairbanks Ct) and at the respective college campus (either Northwestern or Loyola). The CEM will report directly to the CEO and COO.

Candidate Profile 

A successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness and interest in working in a dynamic, fast-paced and growth-oriented organization.  The Campus Expansion Manager will be a key leader in many aspects of the organization, including teaching, campus operations, strategic growth and expansion and school partnerships. To be successful in the role, the CEM should have the following professional experiences and competencies:

Must Have Experiences:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in recruiting, building, and managing teams
• Experience teaching a variety of kids with unique needs
• Experience with project management

Nice to Have Experiences: 

• Experience working in a high-paced, tight-deadline environment
• Experience coaching peers on best practices

 Must Have Competencies

• Performance orientation
• Strategic thinking
• Attention to detail
• Team leader/motivator 

Nice to Have Competencies

• Communication and influence
• Entrepreneurial drive