Executive Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement

Job Description

The Executive Director of Community Partnerships and Engagement (EDCPE), as part of the Department of School and Community Relations, is responsible for the comprehensive strategy and implementation of all community partnership and engagement initiatives within and on behalf of the Division's schools and programs. This position is part of the Superintendent's Senior Leadership Team. In addition, the EDCPE provides oversight and leadership direction to the multiple aligned areas listed below, and multiple partnership and engagement areas aligned with the mission and strategic plan of the division.

The EDCPE must be a professional who is deeply dedicated to students and their families in support of their success not just during the school day, but also throughout the school year and after they leave the school. The EDCPE must have a passion for improving education and dramatically increasing achievement and life outcomes for low-income students of color, and a belief that all students can reach high levels of achievement with support from adults, including parents and the community.

Areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Community and External Partnerships
• Grant Development and Management
• Family and Community Engagement
• Out of School Time Programming
• Community Outreach
• Community-Funded Facilities Projects
• Volunteer Recruitment and Management
• Donations

The position also requires a strong relationship builder with the various external stakeholders in Alexandria and surrounding areas. In alignment with relationship-building, the position serves as the Division's liaison to the City and School Staff Group, Children, Youth and Families Collaborative Commission, and the Alexandria Council of Human Service Organizations.

This position reports to the Chief of School and Community Relations.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors required in relevant education, community relations or human services field. Masters preferred. Being bilingual is a plus.

Experience:

• At least ten years of job-related experience in a relevant field with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to lead and grow capacity within large and diverse teams working toward a shared vision and goals.
• Outstanding sponsor, partner, peer collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in K-12 education and non-profit and community-based organizations preferred.
• Excellent budgeting and financial planning acumen experience.
• Experience with the ability to present the results of efforts through public speaking engagements.
• Outstanding interpersonal, intercultural, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of innovative methods to support learning and adaptation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically with flexibility and creativity to meet specified objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to learn through feedback and collaboration with others across the organization.
• Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Experience with oversight and implementation of various strategically-aligned projects.
• Experience with human resources management, staff development, and program budgeting.
• Strong knowledge of various technology platforms, including Microsoft products, Adobe products, and Google products

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Superb management and interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with school leaders, family members, community members, and other Division staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of different partnership structures and funding sources in educational organizations.
• Knowledge of process and workflow associated with establishing various partnerships as related to the school Division's Capital Improvement Plan process and other partnership activities.
• Understanding of fiscal accountability systems and rules governing the administration of external partnerships.
• Ability to effectively coordinate partnerships, community outreach, volunteerism, and grant-funded opportunities across departments and schools in order to maintain timelines and reach critical benchmarks in projects.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills as a primary contact for projects.
• Directs and oversees the recruitment, hiring, and retention of staff within the Office of Community Partnerships and Engagement.
• Ensures that ACPS is in compliance with all applicable state and federal policies, regulations, and laws as they pertain to grant-funded capital projects that involve public-private partnerships.
• Collaborates with other school Division leaders and outside agencies to share information related to community partnerships and engagement.
• Ensures that department processes and practices are efficient, accurate, customer-focused, and reflect best practices in the field of community engagement and partnerships.
• Some evening and weekend work required.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as primary liaison in supporting ACPS's mission by nurturing existing and creating new partnerships between ACPS and the community (businesses, nonprofits, other organizations).
• Develops, guides, and monitors implementation of comprehensive strategy for community partnerships and engagement initiatives within and on behalf of Division's schools and programs. These initiatives include direct family outreach programming; support for school-based family outreach; coordination of partnerships; and parent leadership, empowerment, and advocacy.
• Oversees the Division's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Team in both team and one-on-one settings to monitor progress toward achievement of team and individual goals in collaboration with FACE team leadership.
• Facilitates and maintains strategic programmatic partnerships, and participates in community-based collaboratives and networks. This includes the development and implementation of strategies for utilizing a wide array of partnerships with community-based organizations, programmatic partners, corporations, governmental agencies and cultural institutions to further the Division's goals towards improving student outcomes.
• Collaborates with colleagues within the organization to implement cross-functional strategies and initiatives, particularly with the Office of Communications under the auspices of the Department of School and Community Relations.
• Serves as primary partner liaison for principals in schools and programs, engaging in constant dialogue to ensure that the Division's community partnerships and engagement strategies reflect the needs of schools.
• Provides oversight and guidance to and delegates responsibilities among the assigned program team.
• Works in collaboration with the Office of Communications to ensure effective internal and external communications and the development of strategic communications plans in coordination with family engagement and stakeholder best practices.
• Supervises planning, development of processes, and overall program operations.
• Responsible for the Office's overall financial planning and management.
• Ensures that activities and milestones are implemented and on track in alignment with Department Improvement Plan, Department Work Plan, and ACPS Strategic Plan.
• Mentors and coaches team staff, ensuring overall team staffing needs are met across all program components.
• Ensures all fiscal and performance activities are in compliance with ACPS policies and procedures.
• Establishes partnerships and negotiates terms and scopes of work; and monitors partner agreements and connections to all aligned buildings and departments.
• Supports the engagement of families in meaningful opportunities in alignment with student academic success and social emotional development.
• Through latest research, best practices, and leadership, supports initiatives to help eliminate barriers to family engagement for families who are low income and/or limited English proficient.
• Works with the team to engage parents and local community members/businesses in meaningful volunteer opportunities.
• Manages all submitted donations from community and other external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with external organizations to seek funding and grant opportunities.
• Attends meetings of the Superintendent's Leadership Team to actively support communication, cooperation, planning, and execution of partnership related initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission of the Division.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP

Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
$108,813.60 - $164,354.40 / Administrator SAS-13
Shift Type:
Full-Time