Job Type: Full Time

About SquashBusters

SquashBusters is a 28-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support and enrichment, community service, and mentoring to improve the lives of youth in Boston, Lawrence, and Providence. SquashBusters’ mission is to challenge and nurture youth with need in these cities – as students, athletes, and citizens – so that they can recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life. SquashBusters currently serves 400 middle school, high school and post-secondary students. Middle and High School Students practice at least three days a week throughout the school year and participate in weekend practices, tournaments, and summer opportunities. After high school graduation, students join the Post- Secondary Services Program, and a dedicated staff team supports them in their chosen post-secondary path, and provides career development, internship placement, and employment opportunities. In Boston, programming takes place at the Badger-Rosen SquashBusters Center located on Northeastern University’s main campus. In Providence, we work and play out of the Gorgi SquashBusters Center on the campus of Moses Brown School. In Lawrence, we are in the process of designing a facility, in partnership with the City of Lawrence and others, that will literally break new ground for the urban squash movement by placing SquashBusters directly inside a beautiful, new, 80-unit affordable housing complex on the banks of the Merrimack River in downtown Lawrence. Our core values are: Love, Honesty, Attention to Detail, Teamwork and High Standards. Do these match yours?

 

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Manager of Foundation Relations and Communications is responsible for contributing to the overall fundraising strategy to meet SQB’s $4 million budget. The Manager will advance and grow existing foundation partnerships and cultivate new opportunities; lead design and production of external communications materials including quarterly newsletter, player and sponsorship recruitment collateral, and Annual Report; and design and implement a comprehensive social media campaign.

 

Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Foundation Relations

• Establish and cultivate relationships with foundation and corporate funders and preserve existing relationships with the goal of maintaining a steady and consistent source of corporate and foundation support.
• Manage and execute the grant proposal process, submitting approximately 35 grants per year and resulting in up to $1 million annually through corporate and foundation sources.
  • Identification of new funding opportunities and outreach to appropriate external contacts to determine fit and ask
  • Proposal and report writing and submission
  • Ongoing foundation relationship management
• Track and and manage grant proposals and reports as well as relationships with foundation and corporate prospects and funders using Salesforce.

Marketing & Communications

• Coordinate and produce donor communication materials and collateral to educate and inform the public and further fund-raising goals. Written products include e-newsletters, annual appeal letters, campaign brochures, fact sheets and one-pagers, presentations, postcards, and other development collateral as needed.
• Develop, coordinate, and produce SQB’s Annual Report.
• Develop, coordinate, and produce event-related communications – save-the dates, invitations, sponsorship materials, press releases, follow-up, etc.
• Oversee SQB’s press strategy – work with local media as applicable to produce articles, videos, etc.
  • Identify opportunities for positive press and reach out to media contacts for coverage.
• Oversee and update SQB website content.
• Oversee SQB’s social media strategy.
  • Post appropriate and compelling updates, connect with followers, maintain accounts.
• Other marketing and communications activities as needed.

Events & Admin Support

• Support Events Manager with creation and oversight of event websites and fundraising pages.
• Monitor event communications and assure clarity and consistency of external messaging across all constituencies.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Support Development Team with general administrative tasks as needed.

 

Qualifications and Experience

• Superior writing skills, with the ability to communicate persuasively with impeccable attention to detail
• Demonstrated success in grant writing and communications
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with tight deadlines
• Strong relationship-building skills, able to collaborate with SquashBusters staff and constituents
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate level degree preferred
• Background and experience using Salesforce for tracking and reporting; WordPress for website maintenance; MailChimp for mass email communications; and multiple social media platforms
• Love for the SquashBusters mission

 

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary between $58,000 – $68,000 commensurate with experience
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• 5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 16 vacation days
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance available
• Life and disability insurance benefit, cell phone subsidy, and public transportation subsidy available

 

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Rebecca Latimore, Chief Development Officer at the following email address: recruiting@squashbusters.org

 

SquashBusters is an equal opportunity employer and strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. SquashBusters is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and looks to all its staff members to foster and promote its values. ​We believe in an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all of the various forms of oppression are addressed, challenged, and dismantled.  Our primary focus is on racism because we live in a society that is so resistant to, and uncomfortable with, discussions of racism.

 

About Squashbusters

SquashBusters is a 28-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support, enrichment, community service, and mentoring to improve the lives of youth in Boston, Lawrence, and Providence. SquashBusters’ mission is to challenge and nurture youth in these cities – as students, athletes, and citizens – so that they can recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life. SquashBusters currently serves 400 middle school, high school and post-secondary students. Middle and High School Students practice at least three days a week throughout the school year and participate in weekend activities, tournaments, and summer opportunities. After high school graduation, students join the Post- Secondary Services Program, and a dedicated staff team supports them in their chosen post-secondary path, and provides career development, internship placement, and employment opportunities. In Boston, programming takes place at the Badger-Rosen SquashBusters Center located on Northeastern University’s main campus. Our core values are: Love, Honesty, Attention to Detail, Teamwork and High Standards. Do these match yours?

Position Summary

The SquashBusters Boston program is led by a dedicated team of professionals that promote the benefits of supportive engagement on the court and in the classroom for students across the City of Boston. SquashBusters aims to ensure that its graduates (1) enroll in and successfully complete college or other post-secondary opportunities; (2) understand and embrace life-long habits of health and wellness; and (3) develop a deep sense of character and personal integrity.

Specific academic programming includes homework help, enrichment activities, and one-on-one post-secondary mentoring to help students apply to, enroll in, and graduate from a best-fit postsecondary opportunity. Students develop their personal character through community service, leadership opportunities, and travel experiences that broaden their horizons. Additionally, regular practice, squash competitions, and fitness activities demonstrate the importance of health and wellness for life.

The Academic Coordinator for Middle School is responsible for leading the 6^th – 8^th grade academic and enrichment programming at SquashBusters. The Academic Coordinator will support a cohort of approximately 60 students across three support pillars: college, character, and health by planning and leading enrichment sessions and homework sessions for middle school students and supporting activities for high school students led by Academic Coordinator for High School. Additionally, the Academic Coordinator plays a critical role in recruiting and welcoming new 6^th and 7^th grade students to the team as well as in supporting 8^th grade students with their high school planning and applications.

The Academic Coordinator is an integral member of Boston Program team and will work closely with other team members to provide holistic and individualized support to all students.

Program Delivery

• Directly support a caseload of 60 6^th – 8^th grade students across the college, character, and health pillars of the SQB program.
• Plan, supervise, and direct impactful and innovative enrichment activities to help students persist through middle school, as well as to prepare students for the transition from middle school to high school.
• Plan, supervise, and direct daily homework help sessions to support students’ schoolwork and prepare supplemental activities for students who have completed their homework.
• Work with students and families to navigate and successfully complete the high school choice, ISEE test prep, and/or private school application process with a focus on fit for each family.
• Recruit and/or assist in recruiting ~40 student try-outs per year for SQB program.
• Build a culture of community, leading from a transformative relationship and youth development perspective, within the middle school cohort.
• Create and maintain documentation of team building, leadership, and enrichment activities.

Outreach and Engagement

• Communicate with parents/guardians so that they feel like part of the SQB community and can support their student’s growth and development at home; meet regularly with families about the secondary school process and their student’s progress as needed.
• Communicate with a student’s teachers, advisor, and guidance counselors as needed.
• Communicate with partner community-based organizations to diversify academic enrichment sessions for current students.

Special Event Management

• Coordinate and implement team building, summer opportunities, and other special programs.
• Organize and participate in social events and field trips for appropriate grade levels.
• Chaperone approximately three-four annual overnight trips for SquashBusters participants.
• Drive students to/from special events in SquashBusters vehicles as needed.

Administration Responsibilities

• Organize schedules and materials and collect and enter student data in a Salesforce database.
• Assist with implementation of program evaluation (T-Reports).
• Plan general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.
• Document and track program spending and work with team to manage program budget.

Relationships

At the heart of SQB mission is the power of transformative relationships (adapted from the Search Institute). Thus, SquashBusters Boston Team Members should:

• Express care by believing in and encouraging youth and being a dependable, warm source of encouragement.
• Challenge growth maintaining high expectations and holding youth accountable.
• Provide support by empowering youth and providing guidance and advocacy.
• Share power by respecting, including, and collaborating with youth.
• Expand possibilities by connecting youth to opportunities and inspiring and broadening horizons.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of relevant experience
• Ability to regularly work until 6:30 PM on weekdays and to work occasional weekend hours
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and a willingness to drive students to and from SQB events in a company van as needed
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from a variety of backgrounds
• A passion for educational opportunity, and a belief in the potential for athletic participation to both drive academic excellence and expand opportunities for success in school and beyond
• Enthusiasm for working with young people and experience developing trusting relationships with youth and families
• Ability to work with young people who have experienced trauma
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills
• A willingness to engage in physical activity with students
• Spanish language proficiency, and prior recent participation in formal diversity training, a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual salary between $50,000 – $60,000, commensurate with experience
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• 5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 16 vacation days
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance available
• Life and disability insurance benefit, cell phone subsidy, and public transportation subsidy available

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter addressed to the Boston Program Director, Mikhail Darlington to the following email address: recruiting@squashbusters.org

SquashBusters is an equal opportunity employer and strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. SquashBusters is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and looks to all its staff members to foster and promote its values. We believe in an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all of the various forms of oppression are addressed, challenged, and dismantled. Our primary focus is on racism because we live in a society that is so resistant to, and uncomfortable with, discussions of racism.

 

About SquashBusters

SquashBusters is a 28-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support and enrichment, community service, and mentoring to improve the lives of youth in Boston, Lawrence, and Providence. SquashBusters’ mission is to challenge and nurture youth with need in these cities – as students, athletes, and citizens – so that they can recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life. SquashBusters currently serves 400 middle school, high school and post-secondary students. Middle and High School Students practice at least three days a week throughout the school year and participate in weekend practices, tournaments, and summer opportunities. After high school graduation, students join the Post- Secondary Services Program, and a dedicated staff team supports them in their chosen post-secondary path, and provides career development, internship placement, and employment opportunities. In Boston, programming takes place at the Badger-Rosen SquashBusters Center located on Northeastern University’s main campus. In Providence, we work and play out of the Gorgi SquashBusters Center on the campus of Moses Brown School. In Lawrence, we are in the process of designing a facility, in partnership with the City of Lawrence and others, that will literally break new ground for the urban squash movement by placing SquashBusters directly inside a beautiful, new, 80-unit affordable housing complex on the banks of the Merrimack River in downtown Lawrence. Our core values are: Love, Honesty, Attention to Detail, Teamwork and High Standards. Do these match yours?

Position Summary

The SquashBusters Post-Secondary Program is led by a dedicated team of professionals responsible for supporting students from all three sites (Boston, Lawrence & Providence) persist through a formal post-secondary educational opportunity that prepares them for a meaningful, life-sustaining career. SquashBusters aims to ensure that its graduates (1) enroll in and successfully complete college or other post-secondary formal education; (2) understand and embrace life-long habits of health and wellness; and (3) develop a deep sense of character and personal integrity.

In collaboration with each site Program Director, the Post-Secondary team will indirectly support sites’ Academic Staff as they guide high school seniors through post-secondary planning and the application process. The team will directly support post-secondary students as individuals and/or groups, as appropriate, on “persistence,” which includes financial aid guidance, academic and career planning, and social-emotional support. As students move towards embarking on full-time career pathways, the team will coordinate with the Post-Secondary Career Success Director (DCS) who holds primary responsibility for this transition. All staff challenge, nurture, and hold SQB participants accountable so that they recognize and fulfill their potential, and are on a trajectory to be happy, healthy, and financially independent upon graduation from the Post-Secondary Program.

This role is ideally based out of SquashBusters’ Boston Office with some travel required to our Lawrence and Providence sites and local college campuses.

Responsibilities

Program Delivery

• Directly support a caseload of approximately 70 post-secondary students across the academic, financial and wellness pillars of the SQB post-secondary program.
• Monitor students’ progress in their post-secondary opportunity, and ensure students are on-track to persist and graduate or maintain upward mobility in their chosen post-secondary path.
• Support students with the financial aid renewal process, and ensure students and families understand their financial aid award and have a sustainable plan for payment.
• Meet in-person with post-secondary students, one-on-one or in groups as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Program Directors and Academic Coordinators to embed post-secondary readiness and persistence prep work into E-HS programming to increase those students’ knowledge and understanding about post-secondary education.
• Administer the SQB Scholarship Program, which includes three distinct scholarship opportunities for SQB students.
• Serve as a staff liaison for Alumni Committees.
• Provide thought partnership and general support to Academic Staff as they work with 12th grade students to solidify their post-secondary plans.

Outreach and Engagement 

• Build understanding of and connection with campus resources to make referrals to these services whenever appropriate.
• Support DCS to connect students to appropriate opportunities such as external summer programs, internships, and full-time employment.
• Connect students to mental health counselors, social workers and/or other resources as needed.

Special Event Management 

• Coordinate and implement impactful events, team trips, summer opportunities, and other special programming to maintain student engagement in the Post-Secondary Program.
• Plan and execute team building and social events for SQB post-secondary students in conjunction with Program staff team and SQB Alumni Committees.
• Collaborate with DCS to organize career related events and visits.

Administration Responsibilities 

• Organize schedules and materials and collect and enter student data in a Salesforce database.
• Support management of the Post-Secondary Program budget and accurately track spending.
• Assist with implementation of program analysis evaluation (T-Reports).
• Plan general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.

Relationships 

At the heart of SQB mission is the power of transformative relationships (adapted from the Search Institute). Thus, Post-Secondary Team Members should:

• Express care by believing in and encouraging youth and being a dependable, warm source of encouragement.
• Challenge growth maintaining high expectations and holding youth accountable.
• Provide support by empowering youth and providing guidance and advocacy.
• Share power by respecting, including, and collaborating with youth.
• Expand possibilities by connecting youth to opportunities and inspiring and broadening horizons.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years of relevant experience
• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record and a willingness to drive students to and from SQB events in a company van as needed
• A willingness to travel to different campuses multiple times per week
• Ability to work occasional events during evening or weekend hours
• Knowledge and understanding of the post-secondary and financial aid application processes
• Knowledge and understanding of the post-secondary landscape, including 4-year and 2-year colleges and universities, trade and vocational programs
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from a variety of backgrounds
• A passion for educational opportunity, and a belief in the potential for athletic participation to both drive academic excellence and expand opportunities for success in school and beyond
• Enthusiasm for working with young people and experience developing trusting relationships with youth and families
• Ability to work with young people who have experienced trauma
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills
• A willingness to engage in physical activity with students
• Spanish language proficiency, and prior recent participation in formal diversity training, a plus

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary between $50,000 – $60,000, commensurate with experience
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• 5 paid company holidays and days off plus an additional 16 vacation days
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance available
• Life and disability insurance benefit, cell phone subsidy, and public transportation subsidy available

To Apply

Please email a resume and brief letter of interest to recruiting@squashbusters.org, addressed to the attention of Mai Mitsuyama, Director of Post-Secondary Success.

SquashBusters is an equal opportunity employer and strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. SquashBusters is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and looks to all its staff members to foster and promote its values. ​We believe in an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all of the various forms of oppression are addressed, challenged, and dismantled.  Our primary focus is on racism because we live in a society that is so resistant to, and uncomfortable with, discussions of racism.

 

Overview:

SquashBusters is a 27-year-old sports-based youth development program that uses a combination of squash, fitness, academic support and enrichment, community service, and mentoring to improve the lives of youth in Boston, Lawrence, and Providence. SquashBusters’ mission is to challenge and nurture youth in these cities – as students, athletes, and citizens – so that they can recognize and fulfill their greatest potential in life.

The Academic Coordinator is responsible for planning and running homework help sessions, team building activities and academic enrichment sessions for SquashBusters (SQB) students, with a focus on grades 9-11, as well as special programming including community service outings and field trips. Additionally, the Academic Coordinator will also be responsible for driving students to and from practices, special programming, and other special events.  As a member of the program team, they will collaborate with the Program Director and all program staff to ensure an integrated approach to SQB academic, sport and character development programs.

Responsibilities:

Program Delivery: Day-to-Day

• Plan, supervise and direct daily homework help sessions to support students’ schoolwork.
• Plan, supervise and direct impactful and innovative academic enrichment, team building, and leadership activities.
• Ensure a productive and positive environment at SQB by managing student behavior and consistently instilling SQB values.
• Build transformative relationships with students, providing individual feedback and support.
• Manage academic volunteers during homework and academic enrichment sessions.
• Meet with both academic and squash colleagues to develop an integrated approach to work with students.

Outreach/Engagement

• Monitor students’ progress in school by communicating regularly with school staff to determine the best ways that SQB can support a student’s success.
• Communicate with parents/guardians to ensure that necessary forms and paperwork are complete and so they are aware of their child’s progress, feel like part of the SQB community and can support their child’s growth and development at home.
• Recruit or assist in recruiting students for SQB program as needed.

Special Event Management

• Recruit, coordinate, and implement summer session program.
• Help students connect to appropriate opportunities such as external summer camps, SAT prep, and employment.
• Identity, organize and participate in community service projects and field trips, including on some Saturdays during the year. Chaperone/drive students for squash events as needed.
• Identify and organize workshops or guest speakers on relevant topics throughout the year.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collect and update paperwork for students such as parent/guardian contracts, physicals, report cards and program fees and update these details as well as daily attendance in Salesforce database.
• Drive students as needed to and from practices, tournaments, matches, camps, and other events.
• Manage classroom supplies, daily snacks, and electronic documentation of session plans.
• Plan general weekly/monthly schedule with colleagues and keep appropriate calendars updated.

Qualifications: While no one person will embody all of the qualities enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities, attributes, and experiences.

• Bachelors or Associates degree or relevant experience
• Valid driver’s license (required) with a clean driving record, and a willingness to drive a 14-passenger van (training provided)
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment; self-motivated and proactive
• Reliable, responsible, disciplined, self-reflective, and open to receiving and giving feedback
• Strong teamwork, organization, communication, and group facilitation skills
• High energy and willingness to “roll up sleeves” to execute on day-to-day activities
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from a variety of backgrounds and comfort communicating with family members who primarily speak languages other than English
• Spanish language proficiency and prior recent participation in formal diversity training, a plus
• Regular night and weekend hours: ability to regularly work until 7:00 P.M 3-4 days of the week during the school year, as well as weekends 2-3 times per month during the school year

Compensation:

• Annual salary, starting in the mid 40’s, commensurate with experience
• Retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and company holiday schedule
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance offered
• Life insurance, disability insurance, cell phone and public transportation subsidies available

SquashBusters is an equal opportunity employer and strives to reflect the diverse community it serves. SquashBusters is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and looks to all its staff members to foster and promote its values. We believe in an intersectional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where all of the various forms of oppression are addressed, challenged, and dismantled. Our primary focus is on racism because we live in a society that is so resistant to, and uncomfortable with, discussions of racism.