Virginia Associate

General Description:

The Associate, Student Programs for the Virginia region is responsible for empowering youth globally to create a compassionate world around the pillars: Education, Advocacy, Action. Main roles include maintaining and growing student engagement K-12 and at the university level throughout the state of Virginia. 

Essential Functions:

• Establish and foster new relationships with student groups, by recruiting engagement from students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members and other relevant organizations. Engagement is expected to cultivate participation in previously mentioned programs.
• Maintain relationships with existing student groups by facilitating participation in and implementation of events and fundraisers, school clubs, regional summits and meetings, Leadership Council(s), attendance at conferences and international mobility programs.
• Collaborate with AVP to manage budget/variance reports for state of Virginia Region activities. 
• Collect feedback on current practices. Use feedback to revise and/or create resources, strategies or programs that cultivate engagement. Consideration should be given to the specific needs of this region.
• Update and maintain the Student Programs database(s) and software with current and future contact information on students and student supporters. Track and analyze data to drive strategies that increase constituent base and fundraising.
• Collaborate with the AVP and global project manager in the planning and execution of all local events, programs, and fundraisers at or near Operation Smile headquarters, including regional annual events i.e. fall middle school dodgeball tournament, winter Spread the Love initiative and high school regional fundraiser and Shamrock Operation Smile Final Mile event for elementary schools and in partnership with CHKD Cleft and Craniofacial Center. 
• Co-lead, plan and implement student group field trips to HQ for official OS Clubs, (e.g, ILC field trip coordination with ILC department).
• Timely communication with students and student supporters through emails, phone calls, face to face, social media, websites, mailings and updated resources. Answer or disseminate these communications as appropriate.
• Collaborate and strategize with other US Associates for best practice around engagement from high school and university students, especially around Student Programs’ pillars of Education, Advocacy and Action.
• Assist with the planning, execution and wrap up of the annual summer International Student Leadership Conference. Duties will include promoting conferences to students attending schools in Virginia, processing ISLC applications and paperwork, engagement in staff planning meetings and on-going communication with department.
• Seek opportunities for professional development in the areas of working with youth, service learning and/or leadership.
• Domestic travel is required as needed for school visits, supporting student events and community outreach throughout Virginia. International travel is required as it relates to conferences and/or serving as a student sponsor on an international mobility program. 
• Additional duties as necessary or assigned.

Experience Required (education/work):

• At least 5 years experience working with youth required. Position will engage elementary through university students.
• Prior experience with planning events, conferences and/or workshops is required.
• Prior experience with fundraising, development, and writing grants or proposals is required.

Characteristics/Skills Required:

• Comfortable working with youth and speaking in front of large groups.
• Highly motivated, self-directed and a problem solver
• Detail-oriented and well organized.
• Multi-tasks, with strong time management skills.
• Strong work ethic and a team player.
• Travel and work irregular hours as necessary, this will include weekday nights and some weekends.
• Ability to work with people from different cultures
• Enjoy advising/mentoring young people
• High energy level
• Creativity when it comes to new ideas for events and fundraisers
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. 
• Experienced in various software programs, including Outlook and Microsoft Office.  Experience in Canva, Instagram, Facebook, Sharepoint
• Comfortable driving a 15-passenger van.
• 5-10 years living in Virginia Beach strongly encouraged.
• Must be familiar with public and private schools within Hampton Roads.
• Previous involvement with Operation Smile is preferred.