By The Hand Club For Kids is a Christian, after-school program that emphasizes academic excellence while nurturing the whole child – mind, body and soul. Located in Chicago’s most under-resourced neighborhoods, By The Hand helps children have abundant life. The culture of By The Hand is Christ-centered, people-focused and results oriented. While loving and nurturing, By The Hand has a strong results-orientation, a very structured program and a growth mindset that believes with hard work we can all continue to learn and grow. 

Joining By The Hand’s incredible mission as an abundant life builder means jumping right into the work of healing and hope on behalf of our extraordinary children. You’ll have the opportunity of a lifetime to impact the trajectory of generations of stories; helping students soar to success in their academic performance, practice personal accountability and, even more importantly, grow in their understanding of God and their relationship with Jesus. 

By The Hand is a not-for-profit, religious organization. Individuals employed at By The Hand are working in ministerial roles and perform all or some of the following responsibilities: sharing the Gospel, teaching chapel, leading Bible studies, discipling students, and modeling behavior that is consistent with Christ’s teaching. 

Rate of Pay: $45,000-$52,000 per year

Overview of Position

The Manager of Volunteer and Group Engagement (MVG) is critical in articulating By The Hand’s mission and values to prospective external partners. The Manager of Volunteer and Group Engagement will be responsible for the full cycle recruitment process of volunteers from understanding volunteer needs of the organization, facilitating recruitment events, application review, interview coordination and background check processing. He/She will build a pipeline of volunteer talent and partnerships through strategic networking, varied communication tools, and coordination of outreach events. He/She will also serve as a business partner meeting organizational needs through the volunteer recruitment process including site based needs, hosting and coordinating volunteer connections within the organization. 

Spiritual Requirements

• Has a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ, evidenced by a lifestyle that demonstrates the Word of God, and is in regular fellowship with other members in a Bible-believing church.

• Agrees with the By The Hand Club Doctrinal Statement and adheres to the Employee Biblical Standards of Living.

• Shows by example, the importance of Scripture memorization, Bible study, prayer, witnessing, and Christian fellowship.

• Leads a team devotional on a regular basis and participates in weekly team prayer.

• Has completed an evangelism course and is trained and prepared to share the gospel with anyone who inquires. 

• Works with staff and members of the EOS Leadership Team to monitor and enforce policies and procedures to further By The Hand’s religious purpose and freedom.

Role Responsibilities 

• Performs in a way that is consistent with the vision, mission, and culture of By The Hand and commits to excellence in every aspect of the overall operation. 

• Models cultural values of By The Hand Club For Kids in day-to-day behavior. 

• Follows all policies as outlined in the operational guide, including maintaining brand standards and ensuring 100% adherence to the Child Protection Policy. 

• Participates in employee growth plans, including quarterly conversations and annual review meetings. 

• Collaborates with all departments within the organization to identify and maximize opportunities for synergies between volunteer talent and organizational goals.

• Recruit a minimum of 10 new volunteers each month.

• Develops and seeks recruitment activities that generate potential volunteers, such as open houses, group volunteer events, school visits, church speaking opportunities, community events and the like.

• Builds, cultivates, and maintains relationships with community partners to continually expand recruitment opportunities.

• Actively pursues new potential school, church, community, and corporate partners and liaises for services and events that promote By The Hand to potential volunteers.

• Collaborates with the volunteer team on volunteer recruiting campaigns and marketing tools such as flyers and brochures

• Communicates effectively with diverse audiences to deliver a compelling vision tailored to their motivations and interests to volunteer in a Christian ministry. 

• Works with established partner churches, schools, community agencies, corporate organizations, and the like to offer creative solutions to getting connected with By The Hand, and expanding those partnerships.

• Arrange annual speaking engagements with partner organizations and keep partner organizations informed and appreciated.

• Coordinates and participates in leading in-person and virtual volunteer group events within the organization.

• Collaborates with the volunteer development team to ensure timely processing of volunteers and proper recording and filing of necessary documents.

• Collaborates with other departments to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for the volunteer community.

• Assists in the retention of consistent volunteers through regular appreciation events, community-building activities, thoughtful and regular communication, and other means to communicate thankfulness.

• Helps to develop and lead training for volunteers to grow in their supportive roles, and to help them acquire specific skills to serve By The Hand.

• Performs all other duties as required and assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

• This position requires a Christ-like servant leader who has a sense of calling and models Biblical principles. 

• Passion and commitment to urban student transformation, confidence to lead in a challenging situation, and belief that all children can learn. 

• Outstanding problem-solving skills with an orientation toward results, action, impact, and influence. 

• Demonstrated strong relationship building skills with children and adults. 

• Proven work experience as a recruitment or community engagement coordinator. 

• Ability to work on a flexible schedule, including frequent evenings, weekends, and Sundays.

• Effective time management and prioritization skills in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.

• Interest and skill in connecting with people from all walks of life and building relationships.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

• Ability to understand volunteer needs and accurately translate requests into effective recruitment drives.

• Excellent written, oral communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent decision-making skills.

• Willing learner and self-motivated to stay current regarding new technologies.

Education and Experience

• B.A. or B.S. in a related field and equivalent experience.

• 2 or more years of recruitment experience.

• Experience working with or volunteering with a Christ-centered, youth-serving organization is preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of Google Suite, Google Drive and MS Office Suite.

• Must have a valid driver's license, available transportation, and their own auto insurance to travel around the city.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopies, filing cabinets and fax machines. This job is not a virtual job, but it requires in-person attendance as agreed upon by your immediate supervisor.

Physical Demands

The employee is regularly required to speak and listen. This role may require you to move equipment from room to room and lift up to 50 pounds. The individual is also required to travel throughout the city and to other organization sites to meet with partners, students, and staff.

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities described are not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform. The employee may be required to perform additional functions as necessitated by business demands. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Employment with By The Hand Club For Kids is at will, and the employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. 

By The Hand Club For Kids is an equal opportunity employer. By The Hand does not unlawfully discriminate against any protected classes. As a ministry, By The Hand is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees or prospective employees on the basis of religion in our screening and selection process. By The Hand is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified candidates with a disability, absent undue hardship. An employee or applicant who believes he or she has a disability and may require an accommodation must contact the Human Resources Department at hr@bythehand.org or call 773-854-4176.