Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Job Title: Manager, Jobs (National)
Department: State Operations and Programs
Reports to: Director, Jobs
# of direct reports: 0
Salary Range: $48,000-$53,000
Position Overview:
The Manager, Jobs serves as a national resource to Best Buddies Jobs staff, providing ongoing field support, coaching, problem solving, and training assistance to promote high-quality employment outcomes for Best Buddies Jobs staff. The position partners closely with state and local Jobs teams to strengthen job development efforts, employer engagement, participant support strategies, relationship management, and program operations.is role supports the development and delivery of onboarding, training, and professional development opportunities that build staff competency and program consistency.
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 3-4 years’ experience with project management and coaching/mentoring staff. 1-2 years of direct supervisor experience preferred.
- Best Buddies program experience, or other integrated employment/job coaching experience, preferred.
- Strong project management skills - including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving - and willingness to multitask
- Strong ability to effectively gain information and insight through questioning/probing and observation of staff in the field, analyze information, and provide meaningful feedback
- Excellent presentation skills
- Excellent written communication and editing skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office
- Must be comfortable engaging with people with IDD
- Must be comfortable with frequent national travel and willing to work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities
- Approximately 10-15% Travel
Job Duties include - but are not limited to:
Field Support
- Assist the Director, Jobs with overall program strategy, including establishing qualitative and quantitative goals at the national, regional, and local levels; supporting recurring Jobs team meetings; and maintaining performance data to track progress toward goals.
- Serve as a primary field support resource for Jobs staff by providing coaching, consultation, technical assistance, and problem-solving related to participant services, employer engagement, job development, retention, service delivery, and program operations.
- Partner with state teams to support job placement, retention, fading, and employer stewardship efforts. Facilitate communication between state teams and the national Jobs team, identify state-specific support and training needs, and provide guidance on complex participant, employer, and program implementation challenges.
- Monitor trends, barriers, and emerging needs across Jobs programs, and develop recommendations, resources, and targeted support strategies to improve program outcomes and operational effectiveness.
- Support state-specific Jobs program audits by providing training and guidance on compliance requirements, documentation standards, and best practices.
Staff Training & Development
- Partner with National Jobs leadership and the Sr. Director of Program Readiness & Resources to support and continuously improve onboarding experience and professional development opportunities for Jobs staff.
- Stay up to date with supported employment guidelines and training best practices at a national level.
- Partner with state teams to strengthen job development, participant retention, fading strategies, employer stewardship, and overall program quality through ongoing field support and consultation.
- Conduct regular field visits to assess program implementation, provide hands-on coaching, and identify opportunities for staff development and continuous improvement.
- Develop and implement a Jobs staff training curriculum, ensuring consistency in knowledge and practices across all Jobs markets.
- Support the preparation, design, and facilitation of training sessions at organizational conferences and staff development events in partnership with organizational leaders. This includes but is not limited to Staff Leadership Conference, Best Buddies Leadership Conference, and the Jobs Summit.
- Develop, coordinate, and deliver virtual and in-person training, boot camps, learning resources, and coaching supports to address identified field needs, close skill gaps, and ensure consistent professional development across Jobs staff.
- Assist the Director, Jobs in refining and enhancing training materials for key projects and service implementation.
- Ensure proper Salesforce utilization through staff training and provide ongoing support to enhance its effectiveness.
- Review and update all forms and materials to reflect current procedures and style guidelines on an annual basis or as needed
- Establish partnerships with third-party training organizations to enhance staff learning
Human Resources
- Assist Director, Jobs with the establishment of new BB Jobs program locations from the ground up including navigation of licensure, case file/procedural setup, staff hiring, initial job development, and applied staff training including intake meetings, and all other procedures.
Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.
Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or minimum 3-4 years' experience with project management and coaching/mentoring staff.
- 1-2 years of direct supervisor experience.
- Best Buddies program experience or other integrated employment/job coaching experience.
- Strong project management skills including planning, analysis, decision making, and problem solving; ability to multitask.
- Ability to gather information through questioning/probing and field observation, analyze information, and provide meaningful feedback.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Excellent written communication and editing skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Comfort engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
- Comfortable with national travel and willing to work evenings and weekends as necessary (approximately 10-15% travel).
- Experience with Salesforce or ability to support Salesforce utilization through staff training.
- Ability to develop and deliver virtual and in-person training, curriculum, and coaching supports.
What We Do
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies is the world's largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the more than 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) worldwide. Through our five mission pillars, we empower people with IDD to build meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, develop leadership and self-advocacy skills, live more independently, and provide families with the support and resources they need to thrive. Together, we're creating a more inclusive world where people with IDD, their families, and their communities are empowered to reach their full potential.
