EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF STUDENT, FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Lawrence Public Schools•Lawrence, MA

71d

About The Position

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Executive Director will oversee and manage the operations of the Office of Community, Family, and Student Engagement (OSFCE), which supports families, students and schools through a myriad of programs and services. These include student enrollment and attendance; connecting students and families with community resources; and proactive initiatives that aid school readiness, educational stability, family economic success, and home-school partnerships. The department also operates the Family Resource Center (FRC), a customer service-oriented, public-facing hub which supports enrollment and ensures students and families have greater knowledge of and access to essential community and school resources to address academic, social, health, and economic needs. This role is critical to advancing equitable community access to educational services.

Requirements

Massachusetts Supervisor/Director license or eligible within one year
Master's degree in Education, Social Work, Public Administration or a related field
Minimum of seven years of experience in school leadership, family engagement, or student services, including supervising individuals and teams
Proven record of leadership in creating inclusive, family-centered culture and programs in educational settings, professional in large or urban communities
Strong history of effective collaboration with community, families, students, school leaders, and administrative personnel
Working knowledge of enrollment systems, student support policies and multilingual family services
Familiarity and comfort with PowerSchool, LINQ, Lionbridge, Google drive, and similar systems and platforms
Strong data analysis skills with the ability to translate insights into program improvement
Deep understanding of culturally responsive engagement practices and equity-centered leadership
Advanced communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust across communities

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in Spanish and English strongly preferred
Experience leading family resource or welcome centers in public school districts
Knowledge of DESE guidelines and requirements related to enrollment, residency, attendance, school assignment and data reporting
Experience designing and facilitating high-quality professional development
Strong network of community-based organizations and service providers

Responsibilities

Lead OSFCE's strategic vision, aligning goals with districtwide student support and family engagement priorities.
Oversee all OSFCE operations, including but not limited to student registration and attendance, school assignment, residency verification, community resource navigation, and the FRC.
Supervise and develop the OSFCE team - including partnership directors, enrollment and attendance specialists, family liaisons, and administrative support staff - and approve and monitor appropriate professional development
Serve as lead liaison between school administration, district leaders, and community partners and agencies to ensure effective partnership in service of students and families.
Coordinate multilingual and culturally responsive supports and services for families, students and schools.
Ensure district compliance with applicable state and federal regulations, including McKinney-Vento, foster care, home schooling/tutoring services, and language access requirements.
Plan and execute outreach efforts to engage families - including events, workshops, and collaborative projects with external organizations - with recognition of the atypical work hours and flexible schedule required
Develop and implement customer service protocols and feedback loops to ensure high-quality support for all families.
Work closely with other LPS departments (e.g. Transportation, Special Education, Multilingual Learners) to streamline cross-functional family services.
Monitor enrollment and attendance trends, produce data reports to inform school planning and resource allocation
Lead and/or support the meeting of mandatory data reporting requirements related to attendance, enrollment, discipline, engagement and more, as needed or assigned
Responsible for the development and management of the department budget, including grants and external funding opportunities.
Serve as a representative of LPS at community events, public forums, and advisory groups related to family and student engagement and support.
Develop and implement district and department policies and procedures to support the effective operation of OSFCE
Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.