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Careers

If you possess a “can do” attitude and share our passion for inspiring the next generation of inventors, employment with Invent Now can open the door to opportunities for professional growth, advancement and the chance to be a part of a dynamic team.   

To apply, submit a cover letter and copy of your resume to careers@invent.org or mail to:

Invent Now
Attn: HR
3701 Highland Park NW
North Canton, OH, 44720

Should it be determined that your qualifications are among the best suited for the position, the Office of Human Resources will contact you.  No telephone calls, please.

The Opportunity:
We are seeking Customer Service Professionals to register participants and respond to inquiries received by phone, web, email and live chat for our Camp Invention® program, a nationwide children’s summer enrichment program that engages, entertains and excites discovery in children. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being part of a dynamic team and helping to contribute to its overall success. Invent Now values and recognizes individual and team performance in meeting and exceeding established goals. All Customer Service Professionals will receive training.

Functions:
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Camp Invention program; accurately respond to customer inquiries by providing program information, locations, and pricing.
• Assist customers in navigating the Camp Invention website to register participants online.
• Customer follow-up and attention to detail.
• Accurately and efficiently enter and process registrations.
• Research and resolve customer-related issues in a timely and professional manner
• Soft sales skills. Deliver a prepared sales script to persuade potential customers to register their child while on the phone or in chat sessions.
• Process requests for refunds and receipts.
• Direct requests and unresolved issues to the designated resource.
• Identify and escalate priority issues.
• Periodic filing of customer service paperwork.
• Maintain an organized and clean work station.
• Communicate and coordinate with internal departments as assigned.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned as they will rollover to connective departments

Qualifications:

• High School diploma, general education degree or equivalent
• Knowledge of customer service principles and practices.
• Computer literate with strong typing and data entry skills – both speed and accuracy.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with an end goal of providing exceptional customer service.
• Knowledge of call center telephony and technology.
• Proven track record of producing accurate, high quality work.
• Ability to multi-task and respond to changing priorities and seasonal surges in workload. Ability to work under pressure.
• Team player mentality; ability to remain focused when working in close proximity to other staff members.
• Credit card processing and/or billing experience required.

The Customer Service Associate must possess schedule flexibility with the ability to work approximately 20-30 hours a week; potential for additional hours during peak times. The position will run from January 2012 thru August, 2012.

TRAVEL COORDINATOR

The Opportunity:
Are you looking to join a dynamic, forward thinking organization currently experiencing phenomenal growth? Do you find that you thrive in an environment that is fast paced and values individual performance that is responsive, versatile, and customer centric? Do you believe it is possible to have fun, while further developing your career?

If you answered yes to these questions, we encourage you to continue reading and learn more about the career opportunity we have at Invent Now (IN), Inc. for a Travel Coordinator. The ideal candidate will posses a can do attitude, enjoy working in a team and want to be a contributor to the organization’s continued success. The Travel Coordinator will have the opportunity to interface and provide support across the organization, gaining exposure to all facets of the business. This individual will proactively research and identify the most cost effective travel, while delivering the highest level of traveler satisfaction.

Essential Functions:
Arrange all staff travel, inclusive of air, car, rail and hotel accommodations. Will coordinate travel requirements for IN constituents, inclusive of Board members, Inductees, vendors, etc.
Ensure all travel is completed accurately, on time, and within budget
Develop and maintain vendor relations to achieve optimal pricing
Effectively and concisely communicate required travel confirmation information to all travelers; updates and redistributes information as needed
Maintain monthly detail of travel costs, expenditures and savings
Initiate cost savings strategies to benefit Invent Now, while maintaining traveler satisfaction
Available to respond to afterhours emergency travel requests; assists with cancellations and rebooking as need dictates
Provide on-site travel and event support at for all major IN events – i.e. Induction, Collegiate Inventors Competition, etc.
Provide support to the management team with monthly credit card reconciliation, coordination of calendars, and departmental time sheet coordination
Provide support to the Human Resources team as required

Skills and Competencies:
3+ years experience in the field of travel required; direct travel agent experience
Superior communication skills, verbal and written
Self-motivated, punctual and reliable
Adept researcher
Ability to work seamlessly as a member of a team
Customer service mentality
Proficient in use of email, internet applications, online booking tools, and Excel
Coordination and tracking of travel related expenditures

EVENT/PROJECT MANAGER

The Opportunity:
Invent Now, Inc. is looking for a Project Manager, reporting to the Chief Production Officer, who will coordinate and maintain event and project details. The ideal candidate will be a self starter who understands the critical importance and necessity of being in front of event and project details to ensure they are completed accurately, on schedule, and within budget. The Project Manager will thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, dynamic, and fluid. This individual will be exposed to all facets of the organization working with cross functional teams.

Essential Functions:
• Manage approved event activities , including maintaining budgets and schedules
• Research event venues, hotels, and caterers, recommending vendors who deliver first rate service that meets event guidelines and within budget
• Pre-event and on-site management at events to ensure the coordination of day-to-day logistics, inclusive of meals, rooming needs, AV requirements, and travel coordination
• Coordination of event logistics, inclusive of invitation mailings, RSVP tracking and guest list tracking
• Provide needed support to project teams to ensure they have what is needed to complete their assignment, which includes inside and outside resources such as consultants and vendors.
• Generate, route and track project purchase orders
• Assists with the management of schedules and resources required for in house graphics production

Skills and Competencies:
• Bachelors degree and between 3 to 5 years of experience managing events and projects from inception through completion
• Proven ability to research and negotiate vendor contracts for events and projects
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to effectively work in a creative environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with a demonstrated level of proficiency in Excel; Microsoft Project knowledge preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of purchasing processes

PART TIME SEASONAL WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE

The Position:
The Warehouse Associate will be responsible for the expeditious and accurate handling of materials for Camp Invention®, a nationwide summer enrichment program for children in grades one through six, and Club Invention®, a nationwide out-of-school program, also for young children. The Warehouse Associate will provide general support as it relates to all warehouse functions.

Functions:
• Accurately and efficiently prepares and packs materials for shipment
• Works as a member of a team to meet and exceed established packing goals
• May load or unload trucks
• Counting and sorting of inventory for shipment
• Receipt and processing of shipments
• Maintains a clean work environment
• Maintains an acceptable level of attendance based on attendance policy
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications:
• Position requires the ability to stand, bend, and reach
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Commitment to accuracy
• Ability to work as a member of a team

The Warehouse Associate must be available between the hours of 8am-5pm Monday through Friday for a minimum of 30 hours per week. The position will run December 2011 to June 2012.

ASSOCIATE BUYER

The Opportunity:
The Associate Buyer will provide purchasing support to the supply chain department in maintaining inventory, tracking shipments, and tracking material purchases and services in support of the organization’s national children’s enrichment programs, recognition programs and museum exhibits. S/he will also research and pursue vendor relationships offering quality product and services at competitive rates.

Essential Functions:
• Maintains purchase order system to ensure accurate and efficient use of Great Plains system, inclusive of generating and tracking system purchase orders under the direction of the Director of Supply Chain
• Secures quotes; recommends vendors with respect to cost, quality and delivery
• Reviews purchase orders and contracts to ensure compliance with terms and conditions
• Receives and enter products into Great Plains system; maintains inventory in Great Plains system, reviewing open purchase orders and inventory reports
• Works closely with the Accounting team to initiate check requests, resolve invoice discrepancies, vendor payment and ensure proper purchase order coding
• Works closely with all departments to understand business functions in assessing and effectively fulfilling material and service needs as it relates to Invent Now projects, facilities and other program needs
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Competencies:
• Bachelors degree and 2 to 3 years experience in a purchasing environment
• Excellent negotiating and problem solving skills
• Ability to respond to and meet changing deadlines
• Proficiency with ERP software; experience utilizing Great Plains preferred
• Ability to multi-task and respond to all requests in a timely manner
• Attention to detail

MUSEUM STORE ASSOCIATE

The Opportunity:
The Museum Store Associate will have the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art facility greeting and interacting with museum guests, generating store sales, and providing exhibit support. This is a great opportunity to learn and educate others about the U.S. Patent System, as well as about the amazing inventors whose contributions have shaped and improved our overall quality of life.

Position Responsibilities:
• Provides exceptional customer service in welcoming museum visitors, providing museum orientation and responding to questions
• Assists in generating store sales
• Develops a thorough understanding of museum and store operating procedures
• Assists the Museum Store Coordinator with merchandising, as well as maintaining store inventory and ensuring its accuracy
• Processes store sales by credit card, cash, check and the web
• Provides exhibit support and maintenance, including troubleshooting, assistance during installations and routine computer maintenance
• Maintains the general upkeep and appearance of the store and museum
• Supports special events at the museum as needed (occasional evening events)

Qualifications:
• Must possess demonstrated retail and customer service experience
• Guest service mentality; experience working with the public
• Solid computer skills
• Ability to stand, bend, climb and reach in performing exhibit and museum maintenance
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

Candidates must be available to work approximately 20 hours a week between 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Saturday. To learn more, visit www.invent.org.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – FOUNDATION & CORPORATE SUPPORT

The Opportunity:
The Development Officer will be a key member of the Invent Now development team, responsible for securing foundation and corporate support for the organization’s children’s enrichment and inventor recognition programs. The Development Associate, working under the direction of the Executive Director of Development, will research, cultivate, and secure new funders to support continued growth of programs like Camp Invention, the Collegiate Inventor, and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Induction.

If you approach development creatively, share our passion for helping to inspire future generation of inventors, and believe you can help us expand the delivery of our mission nationally, we encourage you to apply.

Essential Functions:
• Develop and implement strategies for cultivation of foundation and corporate funding for Invent Now children’s enrichment and inventor recognition programs in strategic areas of the country
• In conjunction with the development team, identify 3-4 key regions of the country where we would like to grow our Camp Invention development efforts
• Conduct prospect research and be responsible for the development of each new region’s fundraising, including writing LOIs, proposals, and final reports and meeting with donors
• In conjunction with the Director of Development, help to identify and solicit donors for Invent Now’s annual Collegiate Inventors Competition and Induction Ceremony as well as temporary exhibits and other inventor recognition and education programs
• Cultivate relationships with funders and ensure regular communication through phone, emails, in-person outreach and meetings
• Work with internal departments to assess funding needs and research program data
• Maintain comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date grant and funder files through Invent Now’s donor management system
• Effectively communicate the offerings of Invent Now to a broad audience; travel as necessary to represent Invent Now at meetings and conferences
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Competencies:
• Bachelors degree and 3-5 years successful track record in non-profit development
• Superior writing skills
• Demonstrated success in meeting fundraising goals
• Proven prospect research capabilities
• Adept communicator who can effectively represent and communicate the program offerings of Invent Now to a broad audience
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to changing priorities, while adhering to deadlines

CONTENT DEVELOPER – CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

The Opportunity:
If you share our passion for inspiring the next generation of inventors, and believe you possess the creative talents to help us develop children’s content that is dynamic, innovative, educational, and fun, we encourage you to apply to become a member of the Invent Now team.

Position Overview:
The Content Developer with be a member of a creative team responsible for developing content for ages elementary thru middle school that engages and excites children about discovery, invention, engineering, math and science. This content will be delivered/leveraged utilizing enquiry based classroom curricula, educational toys, educational video materials and other media, often using “story-line” techniques.

Essential Duties:
• Supports and develops age-appropriate content, including concept generation, research, product development/writing and testing
• Stays current of children’s educational market and trends
• Idea generator and collaborative team member
• Brainstorms and discuss ideas for content development
• Identifies and utilizes internal and external resources as part of the creative development process
• Works with Project Management to stay within project schedules, budgets and timelines
• Evaluates participant interaction and responses to programming, which he/she incorporates into future programming
• Supports sales and operations as needed
• Assists with the development and implementation of professional development for Invent Now staff as well as educators
• Presents at professional organizations, conferences, and meetings

Skills & Competencies:
• Creativity and a true passion for creating high-quality, innovative content that educates and entertains children
• Experience creating successful, age-appropriate children’s content and/or products
• Fantastic ability to understand and connect with target audience
• Excellent writing and/or product and media development, research, and organizational skills
• Experience with children in a formal or informal environment; teaching a plus
• Excellent team and collaborative skills.

Careers | Internships | Volunteering | Benefits