Economic Empowerment Services Manager
Memphis, TN
USPGMS/ US Ministries – US Employment Services /
Regular, Full-time /
Hybrid
POSITION SUMMARY:
Are you a person of compassion? An advocate for justice? Someone who stands up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaks out for the marginalized, the exploited and the forgotten? Do you believe in our calling as Christians to welcome the least of these and love our neighbor?
If you answered ‘yes’, to any of the above, World Relief, and millions of people around the world need you.
This position is responsible for the oversight of World Relief Memphis’ (WRM) Economic Empowerment Services (EES) by ensuring quality program delivery, strong internal collaboration, and beneficial community partnerships that advance the mission of the organization. Responsibilities include staff and intern supervision, grant management, interdepartmental collaboration, volunteer integration, and partnership network building that leads to greater economic and community inclusion of immigrants. The goal of Economic Empowerment Services at WRM is to build a more inclusive economy and community by collaborating with community stakeholders to empower immigrants as drivers of their own career journeys. This is achieved through inclusive programming that meets goals of enrollments and collaborates with partners to address systemic issues within Memphis that prevent greater participation in our local economy.
Role & Responsibilities
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- This position reports to the Integration Director and is responsible for three programmatic areas:
- Early job preparedness, placement, and follow up:
- This program supports clients in preparing for and entering the US workforce upon arrival in the US and building financial literacy skills to improve resilience and ensure self-sufficiency.
- Employer Engagement Program:
- This program serves to support clients in their career goals by partnering with companies in the Midsouth to develop custom ELT and skill-building curriculum tailored to meet client and employer goals.
- Partnership Building: Facilitate a network of community stakeholders that meets monthly and is committed to building a more just and welcoming community where immigrants can thrive.
- To successfully meet the goals of these programs, the EES Manager will successfully perform the following responsibilities:
- Staff Supervision:
- Hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate a growing EES team (4 to 8 is anticipated)
- Lead EES staff in setting and achieving appropriate and achievable individual/team objectives and goals to meet department and funder standards
- Provide personal and professional development opportunities and support to program staff to ensure staff utilize individual strengths
- Facilitate one-on-one meetings with direct reports
- Facilitate regular team meetings to ensure collaborative and quality, team-based service provision
- Guide staff in brainstorming strategic and appropriate employment, transportation, financial literacy and other skill building solutions for clients
- Provide ongoing feedback to staff and conduct mid-year and annual performance development reviews
- Program and Grant Management & Budget Oversight:
- Oversee the development, execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all EES programming
- Ensure staff are equipped to secure employment opportunities and transportation solutions in collaboration with enrollments as soon as possible, but ideally within the first 4 months of arrival
- Facilitate cross-team meetings with other department staff on shared programmatic goals that prioritizes client outcomes and positive partner engagement
- Provide crisis management and conflict resolution support to clients when necessary
- Develop and maintain systems, policies, and procedures for the EES team, within the framework of WRM systems and policies
- Develop projections for all program grants and ensure these are met on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis
- In partnership with the Finance and other office leaders, draft and manage program budgets, reviewing them on at least a monthly basis to ensure expenses do not exceed budgeted allotments
- Participate in grant writing for renewal grants and grant acquisition activities for new opportunities when appropriate to the scope of EES
- Collaborate with the fundraising team to identify and apply for new funding opportunities to meet evolving needs of enrollments and to serve immigrant clients not currently eligible for available services
- Program Evaluation and Reporting:
- Maintain a working knowledge of all department and service area grants to inform program planning, execution, evaluation, reporting and alignment.
- Ensure program tools and database processes are kept up to date and utilized by team members
- Complete and submit reports and statistics to WRM leadership and grantors on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and/or annual basis
- Perform regular reviews and quality control of client case files, program data and dashboards to ensure appropriate and timely service delivery and accurate reporting to grantors
- Participate in all program monitoring's and audits conducted by state and federal grantors and the World Relief Home Office
- Interdepartmental Collaboration:
- Meet regularly with supervisor to discuss EES updates, needs and strategy
- Participate with other service managers and staff in weekly meetings to collaborate, plan, and coordinate individual client service provision, volunteer engagement opportunities, and share community partnership opportunities
- Initiate collaboration and communicate regularly with other service managers to problem-solve and better serve clients
- Develop and review client service systems and tools with other team managers
- External Partnership Building:
- Initiate, develop and expand positive ongoing relationships with relevant local employers and community stakeholders who are committed to hiring clients and ensuring greater participation in the workforce and broader community
- Research and stay abreast of local employment trends, needs and opportunities to inform organization and community-based strategies
- Lead and support the EES team in the development and fostering of positive relationships with employers, partner organizations, businesses, churches, and volunteers to support client outcomes
- Participate in community feedback sessions on a quarterly basis, and collaborate with other service managers to identify and plan for opportunities for program growth and respond to feedback
- In conjunction with team members, develop and maintain opportunities to integrate WRM volunteers and interns to support client goals and self-sufficiency plans, as well as EES programming activities
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Previous professional experience in managing individuals toward shared team goals strongly preferred
- Previous experience in social services sector or related field strongly preferred
- Grant writing and program design experience preferred
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Skill and sensitivity working with people from various backgrounds and beliefs
- Ability to work well on a team in a synergistic work environment, a flexible and motivated team player
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize in a fast paced and fluid environment
- Ability to coach, motivate, and encourage others to work effectively and pursue excellence
- Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills; ability to assess, analyze, and respond to changing realities appropriately
- Ability to manage multiple demands and deadlines with flexibility
- Decisive, ability to obtain necessary information to make good decisions
- Strong ability to work independently, take initiative, remain focused, productive, and accomplish goals in a challenging, fluid and sometimes unpredictable environment
- Commitment and ability to collaborate effectively across department and program areas
- Cross-cultural experience or previous experience working with refugees preferred
- Ability to mediate conflict and provide constructive feedback in a timely manner
- Must be willing to perform other tasks as assigned
- Bi-Lingual desired (e.g. Spanish, Swahili, Dari)
Requirements
- Mature and personal Christian faith
- Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
- Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
- Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Evangelicals For the Health of The Nation document
- Valid driver’s license and reliable access to an insured vehicle required
- Must be able to pass a background check and MVR check
- Strong skills in Microsoft software including Excel, Word, Power Point, Team, Zoom, and Outlook
- Willingness and ability to commit to the position for a minimum of three years
- Fluent in English with strong interpersonal and communication skills–listening, speaking, writing
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Up to 25% domestic travel only required
World Relief offers a competitive benefits package (25 hours + per week):
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Offer 16 company Paid Holidays + 4 additional Personal days per year!
- Paid Sick and Vacation Time
- Paid Parental Leave (12 weeks for qualified employees)
- FSAs: Medical & Dependent Care, & Commuter Funding
- Supplemental Life Insurance (employee, spouse, and children)
- Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident insurance policies
- Legal Shield Insurance
World Relief pays 100% for eligible employees:
- Group Term Life (employee, spouse, and children)
- Long Term & Short-term Disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
- Long Distance Travel Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
World Relief - Retirement:
- 401K & Roth
- WR matches up to 4%, then an additional quarter percent up to 10%
- Eligibility: Full Time (40 hours per week) is eligible after 3 months of employment. Part time is eligible after 1000 hours in a year.
World Relief Discounts (Immediately Eligible):
- Verizon
- Pet Insurance through Nationwide
- Home and Auto insurance through Liberty Mutual
- Working Advantage Discount Program
- Active & Fit Gym Membership
World Relief is honored to be recognized with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation for exceeding the core components of our well-being program including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, and whole person health.
