JA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MANAGER

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois; East Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois seeks an JA Experiential Learning Manager to lead the implementation of JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, JA Take Stock in Your Future and JA Titan curricula in partner districts.

You will manage program calendars, coordinate logistics with schools, train and coach 20–40 volunteers, emcee simulations for 130+ participants, and ensure high-energy, curriculum-aligned experiences across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years’ relevant work experience.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; CRM/database experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure curriculum is implemented according to MOUs with districts.
• Manage program calendars and resources; resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Communicate requirements to educators and administrators.
• Coordinate logistics with schools for simulations/competitions.
• Oversee onsite volunteer training and coaching during simulations.
• Emcee onsite simulations for large groups and manage stage presence.
• Design engaging learning experiences aligned to curriculum objectives.
• Maintain student/teacher registrations in the CRM and ensure timely data entry.

Skills

Curriculum coordination

Volunteer management

Public speaking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

3+ years’ relevant work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM/database experience

Job description

Job Title

JA Experiential Learning Manager

Organizational Information

Junior Achievement of Central Illinois

Reports to

Program Director

Status

Full-Time, Salaried

Primary Responsibilities

• Ensure the implementation of the JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, JA Take Stock in Your Future and JA Titan curriculum for elementary, middle or high school students in partner school districts is executed according to established school district Memorandums of Understanding.
• Manage program calendars for JA Experiential Learning and ensure capacity is being fully utilized, proactively addressing any scheduling or resource conflicts.
• Effectively communicate program requirements to educators and school administrators.
• Serve as contact to coordinate all logistics with schools for their simulation or competition days and to set appropriate expectations, ensuring they are met.
• Facilitate onsite volunteer training and provide guidance throughout the simulation to 20-40 volunteers. Help them coach students by applying their personal experiences within the simulation.
• Emcee the onsite simulation (approx. 3.5 hours) in front of 130+ (students/volunteers) Monday – Friday on scheduled dates. Must exhibit showmanship and a natural stage presence in front of large groups and on a microphone.
• Design and execute a best-in-class learning experience during student JA BizTown and JA Finance Park simulations at school preferred locations, aligning simulations with curriculum learning objectives and creating authentic application opportunities.
• Manage onsite engagement of up to 150 students per day by facilitating daily activities, coordinating daily simulation schedule, and managing other logistics to ensure completion of simulation.
• Deliver a consistent, high-quality, high-energy experience every simulation or competition day of each program year.
• Maintain accurate records for student/class registrations and ensure data is documented within the JA CRM in a timely manner.

Program Sustainability

• Assist in developing and executing JA Experiential Learning teacher and volunteer recruitment plans to meet or exceed annual student impact goals.
• Develop and deliver partnership presentations to new districts, schools, organizations, and prospective teachers and volunteers.
• Recruit teachers and volunteers, conduct trainings, solicit feedback, manage recognition efforts, and maintain compliance documentation.
• Manage and support relationships with volunteers, teachers, and community partners.
• Provide teachers with tools to implement curriculum for students to prepare before coming on site, assure program quality, foster positive school relations, and develop the yearly planning calendar.
• Conduct inventory tracking for all simulation resources (tablets, props, store fronts, program materials, etc.).
• Set up simulation software, including storefront customization. Provide technical support and troubleshoot common issues with simulation software and/or storefront technology.
• Set up competition software and provide technical support and troubleshoot common issues within the competition software.
• Collect required program forms and complete daily reports in a timely manner.
• Ensure a constant state of operational readiness through walk-throughs, observations and inspections.
• Prep and reset to ensure program resources and all essential materials for students and volunteers are prepared and ready prior to arrival.
• Utilize non-program days (e.g. summer) to innovate and elevate the current student programs as well as strategize program growth.

Constituent Experience

• Deliver a best-in-class experience for every student, volunteer, educator and guest that participates in The JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, JA Take Stock in Your Future and JA Titan programs in the classroom and at the simulation or competition locations.
• Support schools and teachers with the implementations of in-class curriculum to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the simulations or competitions, developing and managing resources as needed.
• Steward partner brands within the JA Experiential Learning environment to provide a strong return on investment.
• Embody organizational culture and reflect guiding principles to build strong working relationship with peers.

Safety & Security

• Be an expert in all onsite emergency and safety procedures.
• Take an active role in the onsite emergency procedures, including guiding constituents to safety during an emergency or drill.
• Prioritize constituent safety at all times.

Education/Experience

Qualifications (required)

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3+ years’ relevant work experience
• Candidates of all degree and academic certification levels will be considered
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail
• Strong cross-functional team collaboration, communication, and presentation skills
• Ability to think strategically as well as make quick and sound decisions
• Strong computer skills; high level of customer service
• Ability to manage data appropriately and efficiently. Proven proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products, specifically, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point. Demonstrate comfort and experience using a customer relationship management or comparable database.
• Works well in a fast-paced environment
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive within the JA of Central IL service area
• Ability to remain in a stationary position or walk nearly 100% of the time
• Ability to regularly move and set up items weighing approximately 50 lbs.

Core Competencies

• Influence Others: Provide sound rationale for recommendations; generate enthusiasm for ideas by tapping into shared values. Promote own positions and ideas with confidence and enthusiasm even in the face of resistance.
• Build Relationships: Adjust interpersonal style to a variety of people and situations; cultivate networks with people across a variety of functions within and outside the organization.
• Support Business Strategy: Demonstrate an understanding of JA's mission, vision and overall strategies; align own activities with organization's goals and strategies.
• Drive for Results: Consistently achieve work objectives; readily put in time and effort required to achieve goals. Work to resolve routine and unexpected problems.
• Demonstrate Adaptability & Resourcefulness: Overcome obstacles and constraints without becoming discouraged; maintain a positive outlook and sense of humor in difficult situations.
• Make Sound Decisions: Identify novel solutions to old problems; come up with new ways of looking at problems, processes, or solutions. Define reasonable alternatives; focus on important information without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary: Commensurate with experience. JA also offers a full benefits package.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.

Any questions? Contact us!