Communities In Schools - Senior Director of Community Impact and Engagement

Ascend Nonprofit Solutions•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

The Sr. Director of Community Impact & Engagement is a senior leader responsible for advancing the external strategy, community footprint, alumni engagement, and workforce development ecosystem of Communities In Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg (CIS Charlotte). Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, this role leads high-impact initiatives that expand student opportunity, strengthen community partnerships, and advance college, career, alumni, and workforce pathways aligned with economic mobility outcomes. This leader will oversee the Difference Makers CLT program; Alumni Services, community, civic, and faith-based partnerships; scholarship strategy and administration; workforce development opportunities; and structured college and career pathways initiatives. The Sr. Director serves as a visible ambassador for CIS Charlotte and cultivates strategic partnerships that align with the organization's mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life; well beyond graduation. The Sr. Director partners closely with executive leadership, school district partners, government stakeholders, higher education institutions, corporate leaders, and workforce boards to expand impact, deepen community trust, and drive measurable outcomes for students, alumni, and families.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least a bachelor's degree and 2 years of relevant equivalent experience in Human Services, Organizational Development, or Public Administration.
Proven track record of leading people and teams successfully
Experience with change management and program progression processes
Strong project management, facilitation, and communication skills
Ability to analyze and interpret data to inform strategy
Community engagement and partnership experience
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to handle, feel and keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.
Regular and satisfactory attendance and punctuality are required.
Criminal background check and pre-employment drug test required.
Financial credit check and driving record check required, if applicable.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred in Administration, Business, or Organizational Leadership.

Responsibilities

Difference Makers CLT Leadership
Provide executive oversight of the Difference Makers CLT program, ensuring rigor, relevance, and alignment with leadership development, future and world-ready competencies.
Integrate college and career readiness, social capital, workforce exposure, employer engagement, certifications, and internship pipelines into the program structure.
Build partnerships with higher education, trade institutions, corporate leaders, and workforce intermediaries to expand experiential learning and career access.
Oversee performance metrics and continuous improvement for the program's growth and sustainability.
Alumni Services & Engagement
Design and operationalize a CIS Alumni Services framework that includes alumni tracking, engagement, mentorship, and workforce connectivity.
Develop alumni leadership councils, networking events, and career advancement initiatives.
Create systems for alumni data collection, impact measurement, and long-term outcomes tracking.
Collaborate with Development to integrate alumni storytelling, ambassador engagement, and scholarship sustainability strategies.
Establish re-engagement pathways for alumni requiring transitional support or workforce navigation assistance.
Community Impact Strategy, Alumni & Workforce Ecosystem Alignment
Develop and implement a multi-year Community Impact, Alumni & Workforce Strategy aligned with CIS Charlotte's Strategic Plan and operational priorities.
Lead initiatives that expand CIS Charlotte's presence across Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte.
Design and institutionalize a structured Alumni Services model that ensures continued engagement, mentorship, resource navigation, and workforce connectivity post-graduation.
Align community engagement and workforce strategies with economic mobility, social capital, and regional talent pipeline priorities.
Serve as a strategic advisor to the VP of Operations and the executive team on community partnerships, alumni engagement, and workforce system alignment.
Represent CIS Charlotte in public forums, workforce boards, economic mobility collaboratives, and cross-sector initiatives.
Workforce Development & Economic Mobility
Lead the design and implementation of CIS Charlotte's workforce development strategy aligned with regional labor market demands.
Develop structured pathways connecting students and alumni to internships, apprenticeships, credentialing programs, dual enrollment, career and technical education (CTE), and employment opportunities.
Align workforce strategy with funding opportunities and cross-sector initiatives that support talent pipeline development.
Community, Civic & Faith-Based Partnerships
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships across community organizations, faith institutions, civic groups, and grassroots leaders.
Establish structured engagement models that expand volunteerism, mentorship, internship placement, and workforce exposure.
Ensure partnerships are values-aligned, equity-driven, and outcome-focused.
Create systems for tracking partnership engagement, workforce placements, alumni engagement, and return on mission.
Scholarships & College/Career Pathways
Oversee scholarship programs and ensure alignment with workforce and economic mobility priorities.
Integrate scholarship strategy with alumni services and employer engagement initiatives.
Develop structured college and career pathway frameworks that extend beyond matriculation into sustained career success.
Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Support Program and Operation team effectiveness and work session outcomes.
Lead annual reviews of partnership effectiveness and workforce ecosystem alignment.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Advancement, Operations, Programs, and Finance teams to ensure alignment and resource optimization.