Background

GKFF BEST LLC, an initiative of George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), is an organization dedicated to providing an equal opportunity for young children in Tulsa through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement. GKFF-BEST is currently seeking a mission-driven and experienced Associate Director of Partner Supports.

Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST)

The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST) exists to disrupt intergenerational poverty by acting early, when most brain development happens. We envision a Tulsa where all communities are given the same opportunities to thrive, and children are set up for successful life outcomes beginning at birth.

Nationally distinctive in its size, scope, and depth of partner engagement, BEST takes a comprehensive and integrated approach that knits together programs and services to create a seamless continuum of support for children and families. BEST is a network of more than 80 public and non-profit agencies that are delivering health, education, criminal justice and social services to children and families in Tulsa. The 13-member GKFF-BEST team collaborates closely with fellow team members, others at GKFF and BEST partners to advance the goals of BEST with financial resources, coordination and convening.

As part of Place Matters, BEST contributes to and learns from a national effort to improve economic and social mobility in communities across the country. You can learn more about BEST through this website.

Role Overview

Partner supports are critical to BEST’s approach, structures and enduring impact. The Associate Director of Partner Supports, housed within the Shared Leadership team, collaborates with the BEST team and network to meet shared goals and priorities. Specifically, this role will manage partner engagements such as New Partner Onboarding and Partner Convenings, universal supports such as external DEI and heavily contribute to the strategic direction of shared leadership. The Associate Director also is a member of the BEST Leadership Team, where they will co-facilitate and contribute to the overall direction of BEST. Additionally, this person will likely manage a direct report and several vendors and/or consultants.

Hours and Location

This is a newly created, full-time position for BEST. Relocation assistance and a hybrid schedule are possible. The anticipated start date is early Spring 2023; flexible timing may be possible for the right candidate. This role is based out of BEST main offices in Tulsa, OK (South Yale) where the GKFF-BEST team works in person and sometimes off-site in the community.

Job Description

BEST Partner Network

• Co-manage select partner convenings, connections, and conversations such as New Partner Onboarding, Partner Directory Updates and Program Leader Calls.
• Co-create and implement with the Director of Shared Leadership and Associate Director of Partner and External Operations a partner support strategy.
• Identify and manage some universal partner supports, including DEI.
• Collaborate with the BEST team to identify needs and inform universal partner supports (e.g., cohort-based trainings, convenings to support collaboration).
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Partner and External Operations to understand partner network impact to inform and support needs.
• Coordinate with BEST team members who provide tailored support to BEST partners.

Communications

• Lead network-wide communications such as BEST website, Newsletters, and Slack.
• Support communications staff, vendors, and/or consultants, and contribute to the creation of a communications strategy.
• Support with external engagement with media, other communities with place-based initiatives and other external audiences.
• Utilize communications systems that support BEST’s work including Salesforce integration, ongoing contact management and partner resource libraries.

Team-wide Responsibilities

• Participate in GKFF and BEST team activities to support team learning and development, including BEST team meetings and DEI trainings, and be an active, contributing participant in BEST Leadership Team meetings.
• Participate in activities to gain exposure to various aspects of BEST, and receive coaching and professional development from your manager and/or others.
• Collaborate with others on the team who will support your and other team members’ work
• Contribute to BEST projects in other ways, as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required; Pursuing and/or completed a master’s degree is preferred
• At least 5-7 years of professional experience with cross-organizational collaboration; program development, support and/or execution; communications; and/or relevant work experience
• Previous experience working in or with nonprofits and/or organizations focused on early childhood, human services or a related field preferred

Proficiencies and Personal Characteristics

• Experience setting and/or executing and communicating an inspiring vision involving diverse stakeholders
• Experience taking initiative, managing and supporting others and achieving results in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Bring a solutions-oriented, strengths-based approach while applying a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens—with a particular emphasis on racial equity—to all aspects of the work
• Ability to work independently in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Adobe Pro, Mailchimp (or similar marketing/campaign software) and other platforms and with Salesforce or similar Client Relationship Manager (CRM) preferred
• Commitment to tackling ambitious initiatives to expand opportunities for children and families
• Commitment to trust, confidentiality and personal and professional growth and development

Please note: To accommodate the health needs of those within the BEST program community, the GKFF BEST office suite at 7030 S. Yale Ave.on the 7th floor has a mandatory mask requirement for those working and visiting in this location. If you have any questions or would need any accommodations with this requirement, please email hr@tulsacf.org or call 918-494-8823.

How to Apply

• Interested candidates should submit both a cover letter and resume before January 22, 2023, for priority review. Applications submitted after this date will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• The selection process consists of five steps for those invited to move forward at each stage: Spark hire video interview, job simulation (with advance notice for scheduling convenience) plus Zoom debrief with the Director of Shared Leadership, panel interview, and reference checks.

Expected range for the starting salary of this position is $70,000 - $85,000, with an opportunity for annual performance-based bonuses. Salary offerings will ultimately depend on prior experience, education and other qualifications.

Competencies

GKFF-BEST encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds, including those with diverse professional experience, to apply for this role. Based on research, we know that women and people from underrepresented groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Since no single candidate will ever meet every requirement in the exact ways listed, we encourage applicants to apply if they feel that their professional experience aligns closely with the job description above and their application reflects most of the qualifications below.