Manager, Special Projects and Partnerships, Raising Readers Nashville

Raising Readers Nashville is a collective impact initiative cultivating an environment where all children can grow the reading skills they need to thrive. The Manager of Special Projects and Partnerships will analyze root conditions affecting early learning, identify relevant research and trends across comparative markets, and convene cross-sector stakeholders to implement city‑wide, systems level solutions by incubating innovative solutions, accelerating existing strategies, and championing effective models across four domains: Ready to Read, Education Support, and Family and Caregiver Engagement. The position will support stakeholders as they translate a common vision for the city into a clear, well‑organized action plan that includes defined metrics for evaluation. If successful, the Manager of Special Projects and Partnerships will strengthen the alignment of people, practices, and policies within early literacy systems to ensure that educators are well prepared and supported to teach, families are engaged as co‑educators and advocates in the learning process, and children improve their literacy outcomes. This position manages work through influence, facilitation, and project leadership, rather than direct supervision. Primary Duties & Responsibilities Work with the Associate Director of RRN and the Director of Education to develop a community‑driven implementation plan for system‑level strategies, outlining the people, tactics, policies, and resources necessary to achieve shared outcomes. Facilitate cross‑sector convenings, workgroups, and learning sessions. Ensure a balance of relevant stakeholders and foster alignment, trust, and shared ownership. Maintain organizational resources such as facilitation guides, project plans, budgets, and other strategy tools. Track implementation progress and flag risks, barriers, and opportunities for course correction. Work with the Manager of Operations to ensure operational consistency across RRN strategies, and to coordinate the procurement of outside resources such as contractor support when necessary for teams to achieve their desired outcomes. Develop and maintain positive relationships that advance RRN’s strategies and United of Greater Nashville’s broader goals within the education focus area. Prepare clear, accessible summaries of project progress, outcomes, and lessons learned for diverse audiences. Ensure that strategic implementation of high‑level, systems‑oriented strategies align with best practices, current research, and emergent policy related to early learning. Resource participating partners with professional development and capacity building opportunities to ensure that all thought partners have high quality, accessible, and relevant materials throughout the implementation process. Collaborate with the Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation to track and evaluate progress towards high levels, system‑oriented solutions designed to address root conditions affecting student literacy so that United Way of Greater Nashville successfully fulfills its mission as the backbone agency. Advance United Way’s visibility in education initiatives by representing the agency as a leader in early learning. Work collaboratively across the various internal departments to communicate the work of Raising Readers Nashville and the collective impact of partners on education systems. Education Bachelor’s degree or higher in early education, education, human development, public policy, public administration, or a related field of expertise. Qualifications Skilled at convening diverse stakeholders, navigating ambiguity, and supporting productive groupwork, especially involving groups of mixed background, discipline, and interest. Actively listens, synthesizes perspectives, and helps groups move from discussion to action. Curious, reflective, and committed to continuous improvement. Comfortable using data and feedback to test assumptions and refine approaches. Experience collecting, analyzing, and using data to inform planning, implementation, and evaluation. Experience supporting continuous improvement design and implementation, using learning cycles to inform real‑time adjustments to pilot strategies and operations. Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative insights into clear findings, lessons learned, and implications for decision‑making. Comfort shaping and strengthening evaluation practices that support strategy, innovation, and learning, including documenting proof points, implementation insights, and early signals of impact. Excellent written and verbal communication, especially meeting preparation, facilitation, and public speaking. Able to translate complex information into accessible insights. Maintains composure in fast‑paced, evolving environments. Balances structure with flexibility while managing multiple priorities. Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and self‑directed. Experienced managing multi‑partner projects with overlapping timelines and deliverables. Strong decision‑making skills with sound judgment in recognizing the scope of authority. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and cultural competence issues in early childhood system building. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, virtual meeting platforms, and project management software. Ability to perform with minimal supervision. Ability to prioritize work and manage time effectively to meet deadlines. Valid driver’s license. Preferred: knowledge of and experience in systems change, systems building, collective impact, and community‑based work. Physical Demands Visual acuity, manual dexterity, hearing, driving, standing, walking, sitting, stooping, bending, lifting, and carrying 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential duties. Working Conditions Minimum of 37.5 hours per week. Based on campaign schedules, position often requires work beyond traditional hours. Flexible schedule required during special projects and events. Work involves frequent interaction with other members of the United Way staff, volunteers, representatives of non‑profit agencies and the general public. Occasional use of personal vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed). The employee is required to stand, walk, climb, and balance. Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items and work with the fingers and perform repetitive hand/wrist motions. Well‑lighted, heated, and/or air‑conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation. Disclaimer This position description is not intended to be all‑inclusive. An employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or volunteer leadership as required. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. United Way of Greater Nashville reserves the right to revise or change the description and specifications as the need arises. Equal Opportunity Employer United Way of Greater Nashville is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY