Vice President of Community Engagement and Recruitment

DSST Public Schools•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vice President of Community Engagement and Recruitment is a senior leader responsible for designing and leading DSST’s community and family engagement strategy in service of our vision of partnership and strong student recruitment outcomes, community trust, and long-term organizational sustainability. This role builds the systems, partnerships, and leadership capacity that enable DSST schools to connect meaningfully with families and communities and to be viewed as trusted partners across Denver, Aurora, and the broader Colorado education ecosystem. The Vice President of Community Engagement and Recruitment serves as a strategic partner to school leaders and Home Office teams setting direction, building infrastructure, and activating community relationships that support enrollment, engagement, and family commitment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in external engagement or community relations, or related fields.
At least 6 years of proven leadership experience managing high-performing teams and cross-functional initiatives.
At least 6 years of demonstrated success in building and executing engagement strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
Strong data literacy and experience using dashboards, analytics tools, or CRM systems to inform strategy and decision-making.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience partnering with schools or educational institutions, particularly in urban or underserved communities.
Ability to travel regularly across DSST campuses and external sites in Colorado.
Deep commitment to educational equity, DSST’s mission, and its Core Values.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in education leadership, public administration, business, or related field.
Direct experience working in a charter school network or public school system, with an understanding of school enrollment dynamics and accountability frameworks.
Strong understanding of the Colorado education landscape, including key communities, advocacy groups, funders, and policy influencers.
Demonstrated ability to design and lead network-wide systems, including data dashboards and performance management tools.
Experience in strategic growth planning, including financial modeling, stakeholder alignment, and partnership development.
Successful track record in collaborating with development/fundraising teams to align external engagement efforts with philanthropic goals.
Experience working closely with boards of directors, senior executives, and public officials.
Background in alumni relations, advocacy campaigns, or grassroots organizing is a plus.

Responsibilities

Design and lead DSST’s network-wide family and community engagement strategy aligned to enrollment, community trust, and family engagement goals.
Develop scalable systems, tools, and engagement models that support consistent implementation across schools.
Analyze community feedback, engagement data, and enrollment trends to continuously refine strategy and improve outcomes.
Serve as the senior strategic lead for family and community engagement on the DSST Senior Leadership Team.
Support and steward an ecosystem of families, community organizations, civic leaders, and partners that strengthens DSST’s visibility, credibility, and impact.
Lead the community-based strategy that supports DSST’s enrollment goals across all campuses, in close partnership with Family Engagement Teams and School Directors.
Design and oversee a comprehensive, community-oriented recruitment and family onboarding approach.
Develop targeted strategies for hard-to-fill grades and campuses, informed by local context, proven sales tactics and data.
Build a replicable engagement model to support future school launches and growth initiatives.
Establish clear metrics and monitoring systems to assess enrollment pipeline health and community activation efforts.
Lead DSST’s approach to authentic, trust-based family and community engagement.
Build sustainable partnerships with parent groups, alumni, and community leaders that deepen year round connection and advocacy.
Design engagement experiences that turn families and community members into informed champions for DSST.
Use surveys, feedback loops, and engagement metrics to continuously improve family experience and trust.
Represent DSST in key community forums, coalitions, and public events.
Cultivate high-impact partnerships with local and statewide organizations.
Support charter and public education advocacy efforts in alignment with DSST’s mission and values.
Serve as a visible ambassador for DSST’s equity commitments and strategic priorities across Denver and Aurora.
Participate on the Crisis Response Team, supporting coordinated communication and engagement during moments of public challenge.
Directly manage and develop members of the Community and External Engagement team, including leading the coaching structure for Community Engagement Recruitment Managers (CERMs), who report to school leadership.
Coach and support school and Home Office leaders to strengthen community engagement practices.
Establish clear expectations, accountability structures, and professional development pathways for engagement staff.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture aligned with DSST’s core values.
Improve enrollment pipeline health through targeted community activation strategies.
Assess and strengthen existing community and family engagement systems and tools.
Clarify roles, expectations, and success metrics for CERMs and school-based engagement efforts.
Build strong relationships with school leaders, families, and key community partners.
Model DSST’s Core Values and commitment to equity as a network leader.
Contribute to Home Office culture and cross-functional collaboration.
Engage regularly with school communities to strengthen Home Office–school alignment.
Support Home Office and network-wide events as needed.

Benefits

Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits
Competitive pay
Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support
Educator-focused mental-health care
Everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts
Growth & Opportunity
Weekly 1:1 coaching
Data-driven feedback
Clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader
Rewards & Recognition
Core Value and TOAST Awards
Milestone celebrations
The signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish
Whole Human Wellness
Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative
Wellness Wednesdays
Comprehensive health coverage
Six weeks of paid parental leave
Thriving in Colorado
Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year
Relocation support for out of state applicants
Local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.