Job Title: Director of Community Engagement and Training:: POSITION IS CLOSED!
Organization: For nearly 30 years, the Godly Play Foundation has been cultivating a network of adults around the globe committed to nurturing the spiritual lives of children. Through storytelling resources, training, mentoring, and research, we help leaders in churches, schools, hospitals, and social service agencies build spaces for children to explore their spiritual lives through story, wondering, and play. Godly Play is a Montessori-inspired and unique approach to Christian education grounded in the belief that children have innate spiritual experiences and connections with God. We see the work of children’s spiritual formation to be about the nurtured exploration of their relationship with God.
Team: We are a small staff of eight across the United States. We are a flexible and innovative team, and, in all our work, we intentionally collaborate taking a team-approach to serving our mission. We work together to catalyze our shared commitment to Godly Play.
Role: The position will play a significant role in helping the Foundation build our infrastructure, strategy, and team to support our growing community engagement and Godly Play training needs. We are looking for an innovative and inspiring leader committed to working alongside and supporting our Godly Play trainers and helping to cultivate learning communities (in-person and online) for adults who mentor children in Godly Play to deepen their practice.
Reports to: Executive Director
Responsibilities:
1. Lead Godly Play College of Training
a. Provide comprehensive support for Godly Play trainers (currently over 50 licensed trainers)
b. Maintain our community and learning development platform
c. Regularly communicate training opportunities including maintaining a vibrant web presence, engaging social media channels, and regular e-newsletters
d. Plan and facilitate annual in-person trainer gatherings, regular virtual meetings, and regional events for trainers to build community and collaboration
e. Explore and implement effective pedagogical learning models for supporting trainers in developing and deepening their practice
f. Lead the recruitment, screening, and training of new trainers
2. Lead Community Engagement and Membership
a. Work with other Foundation staff to develop a strategy to foster relationships and support the development of Godly Play programs
b. Develop a vision for comprehensive community engagement and collaborate with Foundation personnel to implement and sustain relationships
c. Maintain the Godly Play database (CRM)
d. Represent Godly Play at national and regional conferences and conventions
e. Collaborate with the communications specialist to develop a communication strategy including regular email, social media, and website updating
f. Work with other Foundation staff to build a new membership virtual platform for community building, online learning, and resource sharing
g. Manage membership platform
h. Manage communication with member churches and organizations
i. Plan and support regular online member gatherings, webinars, and formation opportunities
j. Actively seek new member churches, schools, hospitals, and dioceses/organizations
k. Provide support and resources for programs in member organizations
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated Disposition, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Knowledge of the Godly Play method and practice and/or Montessori education
· Alignment and commitment to the Foundation’s mission and work in the world
· Alignment with Godly Play’s Beloved Me, Beloved We Initiative and vision
· Commitment to developing and sustaining diversity, equity, and inclusion work in an open and affirming environment
· Demonstrated success with an intentional service-oriented approach
· Demonstrated experience with professional and compassionate written and oral communication across various platforms (phone, web, social, video, email, face-to-face)
· Ability to use relevant digital technology apps and platforms to effectively accomplish role and Foundation initiatives (e.g., database management, community/learning engagement tools, virtual workshop systems, web-based apps, productivity apps, and virtual event registration)
· Ability to manage several ongoing projects and prioritize effectively
· Ability to collaborate with internal and external Foundation constituents
· Demonstrated success with both working in a team-environment and accomplishing work independently
· Demonstrated record of cultivating communities built on mutual care and respect for one another
· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop new and maintain existing relationships
Education and Experience:
· Experience working in faith-based, non-profit, or educational organizations focused on children
· Education or training in learning theory, pedagogy, children’s spirituality, psychology, or education
· Experience supporting community engagement strategies
Preferred Qualifications:
· MA in Education, Psychology, Childhood Spirituality, Christian Education, Non-profit Leadership, or an equivalent advanced degree
· Experience leading adult trainers
· Experience developing community engagement strategies
· Experience implementing community, learning, and development platforms including a CRM or LMS
Conditions of Employment:
· Successful completion of background check
Terms of Employment:
· Full-time exempt position (1.0 FTE)
· 100% remote work (occasional travel)
· Schedule flexibility (congruent with accomplishing director-level work)
· Computer provided with monthly stipend to maintain work phone and internet
Salary and Benefits:
· Expected annual salary starts at $60,000 based on experience
· Medical Insurance (100% employee premium paid by Godly Play)
· Retirement (3%)
· PTO (vacation and sick)
· 12 holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s off
Evaluation and Review: Formal review with the Executive Director occurs annually. Ongoing formative assessment and informal evaluations occur on a regular basis throughout the year and as needed.
How to Apply:
We are no longer acceptation applications!