Manager of Learning & Engagement

About the role

The Manager of Learning and Engagement plays a critical role in designing, facilitating, and sustaining high-quality professional learning experiences that lead participants to meaningfully engage with data (qualitative and/or quantitative), deepen inquiry, and take action to improve postsecondary access, persistence, and success for CPS students.

Responsibilities

• Design, co-design, and facilitate human-centered, engaging, equity-centered professional learning experiences for adult learners that center educators’ and practitioners’ expertise, including: high school counselors and advising teams; college access and success nonprofit staff; higher education admissions, advising, and student support professionals; community-based organizations and community members.
• Lead and support professional learning that is rooted in data and research and sparks genuine inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and action for audiences including educators, counselors, college access and success nonprofits, higher education staff, and other education stakeholders.
• Develop session agendas, learning materials, tools, and facilitation strategies grounded in adult learning principles and sector best practices with a focus on data, reflection, and practice.
• Design learning experiences that encourage joy, connection, and community-building alongside rigor and research.
• Collaborate with internal data, research, and storytelling teams to integrate To&Through Project data, research, and insights into learning experiences.
• Continuously refine professional learning offerings based on participant feedback, reflection, and outcomes.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with: CPS central office teams (e.g., Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising); Higher education partners, including admissions, advising, student success, and retention offices; College access and success nonprofit organizations; Community-based organizations.
• Serve as a connector across K–12, higher education, and community stakeholders to align learning experiences and shared goals.
• Translate complex data and systems-level information into formats that are accessible, relevant, and empowering for community audiences.
• Support community-based initiatives that expand access to information and data for families and community members.
• Represent the To & Through Project in meetings, convenings, and cross-sector collaborations.
• Support planning, facilitation, and logistics for To&Through public-facing events, including: To&Through convenings, workshops, learning sessions, and presentations for external partners and stakeholders.
• Serve as a facilitator or presenter for events focused on postsecondary pathways, educational attainment, data use, and educational equity.
• Leverage research and data produced by To&Through teams and the Kersten Institute to inform learning and partnership efforts.
• Stay current on the latest trends, research, and best practices in college access, higher education, and adult learning.
• Contribute to refining conceptual frameworks, tools, and resources for To&Through networks and partners.
• Coordinates program initiatives, ensuring unity of focus and purpose.
• Under the direction of senior leadership, develops programs and relationships to advance program initiatives.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Work Experience: Minimum requirements include 5-7 years of experience designing and facilitating adult professional learning.
• Experience: 5-7 years relevant experience in educational settings, college access, or higher education (preferably serving historically underrepresented Black and Latine student populations; CPS experience).
• Experience partnering with practitioners and organizations to create professional learning experiences.
• Demonstrated expertise in adult learning, professional development, and/or postsecondary access and success.