School and Community Partnership Manager

Outward Bound is an international organization dedicated to the belief that people are capable of far more than they know. The mission of the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS), founded in 1992, is to change lives through challenge and discovery. POBS – serving PA, NJ and northern DE – is one of 9 regional Outward Bound USA schools.

As a robust, non-profit educational organization, POBS annually engages with more than 7,000 youth and adult participants. Our programming includes single and multi-day experiential education programs that inspire character development, leadership, and sense of community. All programs are designed to inspire participants to realize their true potential.

School and Community Partnership Manager Position Overview

The Community and School Partnership Manager, reporting to the Director of Education and Partnerships, plays a crucial role in supporting POBS' strategic goals for advancing access to the outdoors, increasing program participation for youth and adults and managing the long-term growth and retention of POBS' local and regional community organizations and school partners. The Manager will assume a portfolio of community and school partners, take leadership over public-facing programs and projects and work closely with POBS, Audubon Mid-Atlantic (AMA) and The Discovery Center (DC) staff to plan and meet strategic goals.

The Manager deepens existing relationships and develops new partnerships with a diverse group of partners, including a focus on the nearby communities of Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown and greater North Philadelphia. They provide leadership and guidance to partners, work closely with POBS, AMA and DC staff through the program planning and implementation process and engage in program reflection with an eye toward continuous improvement for center-based, expedition and public-facing programs.

With Audubon colleagues, they co-lead the Discovery Center's Community Engagement Committee (CEC) and the Environmental and Outdoor Leadership Internship Program (EOLP) for local high school youth. The Manager will enlist the support of CEC members to promote public access and connection to the Center and encourage physical activity, especially with nearby neighbors. They identify and engage local high school students in a multi-week internship program, co-facilitating thematic environmental and leadership-focused lessons and exposing interns to a variety of on and off-site environmental and leadership activities.

Community and School Group Partnerships

• Steward current and grow new community partnerships for program participation; prioritize community programs representing near neighbors in Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown and and North Philadelphia.
• Manage a portfolio of school partners for program participation including progression-based programming.
• Conduct community and school partners visits and information sessions on and off-site.
• Collaborate with POBS leadership to develop and implement growth strategies and track partnership growth; provide regular updates on progress and adjust strategies as needed to meet goals.
• Contribute to the program evaluation plan; conduct post-course surveys, gather and evaluate partner feedback and participate in post-course debriefs.
• Collaborate with POBS marketing, communications and development teams to promote programs and events; provide content for the development of promotional materials, website and social media content for community and school programming.
• Coordinate with POBS admissions and program teams to inform program design and support partner program enrollment strategies to maximize participant enrollment.
• Promote POBS' merit scholarship programs to partners.
• Participate in or lead staff training sessions aligned with work responsibilities.

Discovery Center and Public Programming

• Collaborate with POBS and AMA staff to develop, promote and manage community engagement opportunities, including, but not limited to tabling events, Discovery Days and service.
• Be present for all Discovery Days with POBS and AMA staff; average monthly (Saturday)
• Represent POBS and the Discovery Center at community meetings, neighborhood events, and outreach opportunities including, but not limited to East Fairmount Park Coalition, Strawberry Mansion Community Development Corporation, Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Access Center meetings and Strawberry Mansion Day
• Co-lead with AMA staff the Community Engagement Committee (CEC); provide oversight, set agendas, host recognition and celebration events, promote community information at the Discovery Center
• Co-lead with AMA staff the Environmental and Outdoor Leadership Internship Program (EOLP) for high schoolers; facilitate leadership and experiential learning lessons and activities
• Provide content for the development of promotional materials, website and social media content for Discovery Center and public programming.

Knowledge & Skills

• Hold a deep understanding and personal commitment to equity and inclusion in the outdoors; uphold POBS' philosophy and curriculum.
• Experience in program and project management and working across departments to achieve goals; manage multiple projects and deadlines, initiate leads and follow up and work independently.
• Experience in effective community engagement strategies; initiative to develop existing and new relationships and respond to partner and organizational needs.
• Facilitation skills with 1-2 years of group facilitation experience.
• 3-5 years experience working with community and/or youth programs (i.e. Outward Bound, other equivalent).
• Excellent oral and written communication, including creating presentation materials and public speaking.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects.
• Effective communication strategies; able to interact with and engage staff, partners, the public, participants and stakeholders with integrity and compassion.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Self-motivated, flexible, with a sense of initiative and follow-through.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, and G Suite (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar), social media and public communication platforms.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

• 2-3 years customer service; engaging with schools and community organizations
• 2-3 years engaging with community or school partner staff, facilitating meetings, events and group activities.
• Competency in collaborating across organizational teams (i.e. program, development, communications, marketing) and engaging with a wide range of ages of youth and adults.
• Ability to manage and update website and social media content.
• Salesforce system knowledge.
• Experience with Canva is a plus.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience [Range $45,000 – $50,000].
• Participation in POBS' group medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program.
• Eligible to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays.
• Opportunity to participate in Outward Bound staff expeditions across the U.S.

***To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Kim Glodek [email protected] by November 7, 2025***

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Philadelphia Outward Bound School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.