Vice President of Community Impact

Overview

Based in Indianapolis and serving central Indiana, Indy Reads builds the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential. We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to gain an education and advance our mission through our innovative Community Classrooms around Marion County and through our community bookstore, which serves as a retail space, community space, and extension of educational programming. We operate through our core values: Student Centered; Innovative; Inclusive; Literacy. This highly regarded, well-established organization has more than 30 years of experience in adult education. Under the direction of new leadership and deeply committed to advancing social equity within all aspects of the organization, from programming and operations to advocacy and community-building, Indy Reads is poised for growth.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Vice President of Community Impact (VPCI) is a member of Indy Reads’ leadership team and oversees Indy Reads’ program department. The full-time Vice President of Community Impact is responsible for setting the organization’s programming strategy in alignment with the organization’s vision and direction. The VPCI cultivates, maintains, and advances innovative partnerships, ensures program compliance with grant commitments, and oversees overall program quality assurance. Currently, this department consists of a teaching team of 11 part-time instructors, a student services team comprised of a Student Services Manager and an ELL Intake Coordinator, a (new) Academic Operations Manager, a Family and Community Program Director, a Bookstore Manager, a Program Associate, and volunteers. This is an exciting opportunity for a community- and social-justice minded, creative leader to advance Indy Reads’ mission by expanding existing programs and reimagining adult education with new initiatives and partnerships. The ideal candidate operates with the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and passion for Indy Reads’ mission. Hybrid work options are available for this position.

The following is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Planning and Innovation

• Collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement Indy Reads programming strategy and budget
• Stay abreast of research and best practices in the field of adult literacy, language acquisition, and community agency building
• Hire, train, support, and develop program staff
• Support program staff and volunteers to work collaboratively and effectively for quality student experience, programming, and community impact
• Contribute to the development and growth of Indy Reads’ volunteer program and oversee volunteer training and placement to grow capacity
• Set annual strategy for overall program planning, including partnerships, class types and locations based on program budget with foresight into adult education trends and best practices
• Contribute to the generation of student-led and student-informed programming to serve current students and their families through the bookstore and beyond
• Support the Family and Community Program Director to develop programming aligned with Indy Reads’ strategic vision
• Serve as an internal conduit between programming, development, public engagement, and operations

Instruction Oversight & Development

• Support the Academic Operations Manager and Student Services Manager to enhance and manage student intake processes for accuracy and quality engagement
• Supervise and support instructors to develop curriculum and resources for classes, including distance education and certification courses
• Evaluate programs, and contribute to developing resources and strategies for student success

• Conduct periodic classroom visits (in-person and virtual), lead PD meetings, and communicate with instructors for coaching and operations purposes
• Work with instructors to improve classroom management, lesson planning skills, distance learning engagement, and blended learning procedures

Business and Partnership Development

• Explore innovative partnerships to advance Indy Reads’ mission and strategic vision, including Workforce Education Initiative and/or Integrated Education Training classes, and creative revenue generating collaborations
• Develop partnerships with organizations that serve adults from groups historically facing low literacy, English language acquisition, and barriers to employment, including immigrants and refugees, at-risk youth (16+), justice involved, and those in high crime and/or low-income areas
• Develop collaborative relationships with other government programs/non-profits such as one-stop partners, employers, and the Chamber of Commerce to offer services to adult learners

Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate with the leadership team to align Indy Reads’ programming, outreach, and development in revenue generating strategies and functions
• Participate in occasional Board meetings, and monthly/recurring grant-required or other relevant meetings (e.g. DWD, etc.)
• Serve as a vital member of the leadership team by staying abreast of issues relevant to the organization and industry and contributing to the development and achievement of the organization’s long-term vision, positive culture, and strategic operating plans
• Contribute to program-related grant applications and reports, as needed
• Assist with program information for marketing/development campaigns and initiatives, as needed
• Serve as strategic thought-partner to the CEO

Requirements

• 7+ years of professional experience with relevant responsibilities, particularly in Adult Education. Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.
• Experience developing and mentoring personnel
• Experience and interest in developing, evaluating, and remediating Adult Education programs
• Familiarity with the Adult Education and WIOA landscape in Indiana, particularly central Indiana
• Familiarity with the Indiana State Adult Education Database(s), particularly InTERS
• Proven organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills and supervisory ability

• Able to engage with wide range of stakeholders, including diverse student body, human services providers, and private sector employers to foster collaboration and partnerships
• Flexible and adaptable leadership style that can advance organizational and educational goals
• Creative and forward-thinking, with strong time management skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to work independently without close oversight, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
• Proficiency with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, Asana, Slack, and other tools
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Curious, open, and dedicated to participating in Indy Reads’ journey to advance DEIA
• Commitment to the mission of Indy Reads
• A sense of humor

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use his/her hands to feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Indy Reads is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We seek employees from all backgrounds to join our team and encourage them to bring their authentic and best selves to work. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Indy Reads makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Compensation
This is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated individual to assume a pivotal role in advancing Indy Reads’ mission. Indy Reads offers a very attractive compensation package, including a competitive base salary ($65-70K) as well as health, 401(k), and generous PTO/days off benefits with 2 Weeks of Wellness, 11 Company Holidays, and 20 days PTO.

Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume on the Indy Reads webpage for this position.

Applications received by February 29th, 2024, will be given priority consideration.