Chief Communities Officer

Blue Star Families•Washington, DC

6d•$159,000 - $238,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Blue Star Families is seeking a dynamic, strategic executive to serve as Chief Communities Officer (CCO). The CCO will lead the organization’s national community engagement strategy so military families experience connection, support, and belonging wherever they live and serve. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CCO will oversee and scale the national community ecosystem—including Chapters, Outposts, volunteers, and expansion into new markets—to drive measurable impact and sustainable growth. Outposts are BSF’s local presence in markets where full Chapters are not yet established. The role will define and execute a scalable national community-engagement model, expand the organization’s presence, and establish metrics with the Chief Impact Officer and Research and Evaluation team. The CCO will lead and develop senior leaders, strengthen Chapter performance and sustainability, build a national volunteer strategy, and collaborate across Development, National Programs, Strategic Alliances, Research & Evaluation, and Marketing. This work includes aligning national messaging with local execution and supporting digital coordination for strong Chapter representation online. The role is hybrid within the DC Metro area, and the Chief Communities Officer must reside in the National Capital Region. Blue Star Families describes itself as a fully remote organization that holds scheduled in-person gatherings. The position requires overnight travel several times per year for leadership retreats, staff offsites, planning retreats, and organization-wide events; participation is required. Nights, weekends, or holidays may be required as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business administration, or a related field.
10+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit management, community engagement, or mission-driven organizations.
Proven success scaling national programs, networks, or multi-market initiatives.
Experience leading leaders and building high-performing teams.
Strong track record of partnership development and fundraising alignment.
Strategic mindset, including the ability to think in white space, execute, and drive measurable outcomes.
Exceptional communication and executive presence.
Willingness and ability to work nights, weekends, or holidays as required.
Ability to travel overnight several times per year for required in-person gatherings.
Must reside in the National Capital Region.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Familiarity with the military community.
Familiarity with membership-driven or volunteer-powered organizations.

Responsibilities

Define and execute a scalable, national model for community engagement.
Expand BSF’s presence in new and existing markets through Chapters, volunteer engagement, and Outposts.
Partner with the Chief Impact Officer and Research and Evaluation team to establish metrics for impact, growth, and engagement.
Identify and prioritize new markets based on mission impact and sustainability.
Launch and strengthen community infrastructure for long-term success.
Increase BSF’s national reach, visibility, and member engagement.
Ensure strong performance, alignment, and sustainability across Chapters.
Support local partnerships and funding strategies.
Build and scale a national volunteer strategy.
Strengthen volunteer recruitment, training, and integration.
Lead and develop a team of senior leaders.
Partner cross-functionally with Development, National Programs, Strategic Alliances, and Research & Evaluation to support financial sustainability, strategic alignment, strong partnerships, and data-informed improvement across Chapters.
Collaborate with Marketing leadership to align national messaging with local execution and engagement, and support digital coordination for strong Chapter representation online.
Travel overnight several times per year to required in-person gatherings.
Perform other duties as assigned.