Manager- Education Enterprises

JOB TITLE: Manager- Education Enterprises
REPORTING TO: Chief Operating Officer, The Big Issue
DATE OF ISSUE: September, 2017
LOCATION: Melbourne, Victoria.
STATUS: Full-time, 12-month fixed term contract
OTHER: National Role / travel required

This role takes responsibility for both The Big Issue Classroom and The Big Idea.

The Big Issue Classroom

The Big Issue Classroom is a social enterprise providing school and corporate groups with a ‘real life’ lesson about homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage, as experienced by over 100,000 Australians every night.
Launched in 2009, The Big Issue Classroom’s unique educational workshops provide participants with the opportunity to hear from someone who has experienced the hardships of homelessness, whilst learning about the role of social enterprise in Australia’s bid to alleviate poverty.

Through group discussions and interactive activities led by skilled facilitators, participants understand how people can find themselves marginalised and homeless and what it means to go without the everyday necessities many of us take for granted.

The message is driven home by a guest speaker, many of whom are Big Issue vendors.

The key objectives of The Big Issue Classroom are to:

• Educate the next generation on social issues, including homelessness and the need for social enterprise
• Break down stereotypes surrounding homelessness, marginalisation and disadvantage in our community and develop a greater empathy amongst the community towards those experiencing such hardships.
• Encourage critical thinking about social justice issues and practical solutions to reduce poverty in Australia.
• Encourage workshop participants who may be at risk of becoming homeless, marginalised or disadvantaged to seek out appropriate support services.
• Provide employment and personal development opportunities for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged Australians as guest speakers.

The Big Idea

Working with the tertiary sector, The Big Idea is a unique business planning competition competition. It is a progressive learning opportunity encouraging the next generation of social entrepreneurs and leaders to foster their creative thinking and employability skills, and develop a social enterprise idea that has the ability to change the lives of thousands of homeless and disadvantaged Australians.
Conducted during the second half of the year, ‘The Big Idea’ is a five-month journey of inspiring lectures, online seminars and in-depth discussions delivered by influential ‘thought leaders’ from across the Australian business sector, including senior executives from Telstra, Australia Post and Origin.

Purpose of role

This maternity leave position, will take responsibility for the Educations Enterprises of The Big Issue under the leadership of the COO.
This will include The Big Idea, The Big Issue Classroom school workshops, business development and national promotions including expansion and new product development.
This role would suit a professional and skilled manager, keen to work with a passionate group of people, to deliver a unique project to an excellent standard that directly benefits Australia’s most disadvantaged and marginalised.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a team of 2-3 Big Issue Classroom Coordinators who are responsible for workshop delivery and local promotions for the Victorian, ACT and NSW education (primary and secondary) sector
• Responsible for all business development for Education Enterprises including university engagement for The Big Idea.
• Delivery of workshops and lectures across both The Big Issue Classroom and The Big Idea.
• External stakeholder management including the provision of support and assistance to the universities engaged in The Big Idea, corporate sponsors and all other key stakeholders associated with TBIC primary and secondary workshops.
• Internal stakeholder management including direct reports and marketing, media and finance functions within The Big Issue.
• Administration of both social enterprises including invoicing, preparing briefs and newsletters and general office duties.

Desired Skills and Knowledge

• Proven experience and understanding of the education sector across primary, secondary and tertiary sectors
• Experience in business development preferably within the education sector
• A well organised approach to work including an ability to manage the planning of multiple components of a social enterprise
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders
• Project management skills and experience using CRMs such as salesforce
• Strong desktop computer application skills and written and oral communication
• Exhibit strong attention to detail skills
• Capacity to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple projects and stakeholders
• Ability to think on your feet and conduct problem solving under pressure in an environment that is subject to change
• Highly proactive and can work both independently and within a team environment with limited supervision

Other Information

Car Use – may be required.
Out of Hours Duties – may be required.
Other Duties – may be required to perform other duties at the discretion of the COO