SY 26-27 Senior Director of Community Engagement

Senior Director of Community Engagement

Join Our “Relationships-First” Team:                     

We invite you to be a part of a team whose mission-aligned culture offers sustainable, rewarding career paths in teaching, operations, and leadership, built on collaboration and mutual support. Experience the difference at a workplace that celebrates and cultivates each team member’s passions, skills and multi-disciplinary interests as we build a brighter future together, one student at a time.

Why Educators Choose S2:

• A “Relationships-First” culture where you’re valued, supported, and included
• Collaborative planning time and mutual support
• Opportunities to lead initiatives that strengthen student growth at every stage of their PreK–12 education
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including offering a competitive compensation package, including a strong benefits program and a 401(k) with a 6% organizational match
• A bilingual, community-rooted model serving Washington Heights and Inwood including a pantry partnership, Bachata Nights, multicultural festivals, and a reading initiative. 

Our Senior Director of Community Engagement:

Our Central Office at School in the Square exists to support and strengthen our schools: our Early Childhood Center, our Elementary School, our Middle School, and our growing High School (9th through 11th for SY 26-27). The Central Office is responsible for delivering high quality academic, operational, talent, human resources, financial, and community engagement services and resources that enable school leaders and educators to focus on student learning and success. We are looking for dedicated, mission-aligned Central Office staff who will work closely with school-based staff to provide guidance, resources, and problem solving support that will advance instructional quality, organizational effectiveness, and student outcomes. 

School in the Square is seeking a Senior Director of Community Engagement to lead our organization’s student enrollment and retention, and community partnership strategy. This position reports directly to our Executive Director, and serves to set the strategy for a successful student enrollment lifecycle that builds awareness and strengthens trust in the community resulting in excellent student recruitment and re-enrollment. The Senior Director of Community Engagement will be responsible for ensuring family experiences and community partnerships are welcoming, responsive, and mission-driven by translating the School in the Square story into a shared identity that deepens relationships. 

Additionally, the Senior Director of Community Engagement translates School in the Square’s mission to a strategy advancing the economic and social vitality of the Washington Heights and Inwood communities. This includes strategically managing external partnerships on behalf of the organization, including community-based organizations, local businesses, and civic and local government partners. The Senior Director of Community Engagement will manage and partner with the Community Engagement team, which includes a communications lead, community engagement managers and parent canvassers. The Senior Director of Community Engagement will be vital in ensuring school-based leaders in providing excellent family experiences and communications, as well as driving student re-enrollment and retention. 

Who You Are:

• Competencies and Attributes:
  • Strategic thinker who has a proven track record of resolving complex problems anchored in a high level of integrity and judgment. 
  • Highly organized, conscientious and execution oriented, including exceptional written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Comfortable and successful in navigating ambiguity and complexity. 
  • Collaborative mindset where they use strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to actively partner with peers and stakeholders to share ideas and listen to diverse perspectives to align on and make decisions.
  • Deep alignment with organizational values and mission. 
• Experience and Background: 
  • At least 7 years of experience in community engagement, family engagement, external affairs, or related roles, preferably in PreK-12 education in charter schools, or non-profit organizations. 
  • A graduate of a Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, communications, education, social work, or other related focus. A Master’s degree is strongly preferred. 
  • Demonstrated experience in student enrollment, attendance and family engagement strategies. 
  • Demonstrated experience in navigating diverse communities and implementing strategies committed to equity and inclusion. 
  • Strong data literacy and experience leading data-driven improvement cycles. 
  • Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills. 
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Community engagement visionary who sets and implements a community engagement strategy that advances student enrollment and economic well-being within the community. 
• Directly manages and coaches the Community Engagement Team to execute on organizational wide priorities, including but not limited to family and community partnerships, school-based engagement strategies, internal and external communications rooted in brand messaging with cultural responsiveness.  
• Implements organizational-wide community engagement team professional development vision. 
• Monitors and improves community engagement performance to ensure both full class sections (and waitlists) are provided to all schools and that community partnerships demonstrate School in the Square’s commitment and presence to the Washington Heights and Inwood community.  
• Collaborate with Central Office leadership and school-based leadership to build and foster relationships with student families and community partnerships to drive community engagement initiatives.  
• Lead and facilitates external community engagement initiatives, including ensuring community engagement compliance with all relevant regulatory and legal requirements, and serving as the primary community engagement liaison with the NYS charter authorizers to support renewals, site visits and operational reporting are in compliance. 

What Can You Expect From Us

At S2, we take as much care of our staff as we do of our students. S2 is committed to supporting our staff by helping them build sustainable, rewarding careers that center on each individual’s passions and multi-disciplinary interests. All of our faculty and staff are valued professionals and we are proud to provide team-building and collaboration, comfortable and friendly working conditions and more, to ensure our team members have the tools they need to succeed.

In addition to meaningful and rewarding work, School in the Square provides competitive salaries. Expected salary range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000, depending on experience, level of education, required certifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role.

Additionally, we provide opportunities for supplemental compensation, an excellent benefits package with:

• a 401K program with a 6% organizational match
• 93% coverage of healthcare coverage
• longevity bonus
• generous paid time off
• and a supportive work environment. 

School in the Square understands specific groups are subject to marginalization. We believe these powerful groups should be centered in our community and are highly encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.