Chief Engagement Officer

General Description:

Working with senior school system leaders, the Chief Engagement Officer establishes a comprehensive vision for family, community, and business engagement by overseeing the development, design, and implementation of short- and long-term family, community, and business engagement strategies that are aligned with RPS’s strategic plan as well as division policies. The Chief plans and manages strategic partnerships between the division and businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions, and community organizations to provide families and students with the supports needed to be college- and career ready. Programmatically, this Chief’s body of work involves developing a systemic outreach strategy for engagement with traditionally underrepresented and emergent communities, promotes parent engagement and community wraparound program support of children’s learning and development, tells the story of RPS to external stakeholders, builds the capacity of schools to support students and families holistically, and ensures that parent and student voice is at the table during legislative conversations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Sets the overarching strategy for the division’s engagement efforts and oversees the management of divisional engagement initiatives that prioritize families, promote advocacy, and enhance communication.
• Provides coaching and support to school leaders in the development, implementation, and monitoring of school-based engagement goals.
• Leads the division-wide attendance team and oversees the development and execution of the division's engagement strategy aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism.
• Plans, develops, and coordinates parent, community, and business outreach activities and programs that support improved student learning and academic achievement.
• Assists parents, school staff, and community organization members with the development of effective programs to improve parental and community engagement to assist students in achieving high academic standards.
• With the diverse RPS community in mind, conceptualize new programs, assess program needs, develop short- and long-range plans, and coordinate program implementation through various school system departments and with public and private agencies and community organizations.
• Ensures RPS’s story is told to external stakeholders via marketing, media relations, and via RPS-owned platforms, such as RPS Direct and the website, to increase two-way communication and partnership with families.
• Ensure the division's communications are in alignment with the mission, vision, and values of the school board and superintendent.
• Supports developing school and office capacity to effectively communicate with key stakeholders.
• Builds and manages a team to effectively facilitate division wide engagement initiatives, developing clear, specific, and ambitious performance goals for the team, and manages continuous improvement of the team and its initiatives.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of the division’s family engagement policies and standards, and ultimately drives the change management and culture shift necessary for meeting the division’s vision and goals for family engagement.
• Research and implement innovative approaches for the development of inclusive and results-driven outreach and communication strategies designed to meet the diverse needs and concerns of the division’s families and communities.
• Direct the preparation and maintenance of reports, records and files related to assigned activities; compile data and prepare detailed reports regarding assigned activities.
• Develop and prepare departmental budgets; analyze and review budgetary and financial data; authorize and control expenditures in accordance with established limitations.
• Identify and develop effective communication strategies related to community and stakeholder issues and concerns; interact with varied stakeholder groups and represent the superintendent and division administration at a variety of community functions and other events.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, public administration, nonprofit management, business, or other relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory/administrative/leadership experience in education, business, corporate, nonprofit, or public administration.
• Experience in community organizing, engagement, and advocacy building business partnerships and securing resources.
• Preference given to candidates with prior experience in educational settings and collaborating with school leadership.
• Successful experience in directing, supervising, and evaluating staff with experience in program development and implementation.
• Demonstrated leadership and broad experience working effectively with diverse staff, students, parents, and the community.
• Models professionalism, engages in self-led continuous improvement, seeks out feedback and provides constructive feedback to colleagues.
• Excellent communication (verbal, written, and presentation) skills; ability to compose and present reports and effective, visually appealing presentations using multimedia technology.
• Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position, may be considered.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an on-line application. Please access website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript and license if applicable. Three references names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.