Community Engagement Manager

Community Engagement Manager

Position Overview

TheCommunity Engagement Manager is a key member of Open Window School's Advancement team. This position is responsible for creating a welcoming, connected, and engaged community by convening and connecting families, parent leaders, faculty, and staff; cultivating opportunities for strong relationships and collaboration; partnering across departments to create a cohesive family experience; and coordinating key school and PGA events.

The Community Engagement Manager serves as the primary staff liaison to the Parent and Guardian Association (PGA) and coordinates closely with division directors on family-facing programs, communications, and events. The position plays an important role in understanding the family journey at Open Window and identifying opportunities to strengthen connection and engagement at key moments throughout a family's experience with the School.

This is a highly collaborative role that requires strong relationship-building, project management, communication, and organizational skills. The Community Engagement Manager reports to the Director of Institutional Advancement and Strategy.

You are right for this role if you:  

1. Are a good communicator:You know how to build buy-in and consensus with varied groups that all have different priorities. You also know how to clearly and kindly communicate expectations and limitations.   

1. Like throwing parties and thinking about all of the details:Not only do you love to think about how to make this year's Back to School BBQ the best ever, you also will have tripled checked the name tags and you travel with duct tape and scissors.   

1. Inspire and Motivate: Managing a group of volunteers requires not just coordination but genuine inspiration. You are passionate about motivating and empowering volunteers, ensuring they feel valued and integral to our mission. Your leadership fosters a collaborative and enthusiastic environment where every volunteer knows their contributions make a meaningful difference. 

1. Are a people person!OWS has a diverse community of parents, faculty, and staff. And you want to get to know them all.   

1. Are a team player: It may be overused, but it's definitely needed. The Advancement team is a well-oiled machine, and we need you to be a critical component in its success.

1. Are organized & adaptable:You have strong organizational skills to juggle multiple responsibilities in a fast-faced environment with ease.   

1. Are ethical:We want to set the example for our students – and that means operating with a high degree of integrity in all situations. Bobcats are Kind, Inclusive, Respectful, and Responsible, and so are you!

Major Areas of Responsibility/Specific Duties:

Parent & Guardian Association

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Parent and Guardian Association (PGA), strengthening collaboration among parent leaders, Division Directors, and the School.
• Meet regularly with PGA and school leadership to align priorities, calendars, communications, volunteer opportunities, and events.
• Guide and support PGA programs and events, ensuring alignment with the School's mission, community values, annual priorities, and budget while respecting the leadership of parent volunteers.
• Coordinate the recruitment, onboarding, training, communication, and recognition of PGA volunteers and emerging parent leaders.
• Partner with Division Directors and other school leaders to develop accessible, meaningful volunteer opportunities that reflect families' varied interests, skills, and availability.
• Cultivate and support volunteer leaders through relationship-building with the PGA and relevant committees.

Event Management: 

• Plan, manage, and coordinate key all school community events, including, the annual fundraising Auction each spring, volunteer appreciation event(s), Summer Gatherings, and the Back to School BBQ, and other events as assigned.
• Oversee all event logistics including catering, venue, transportation, signage, audio/visual, invitations, programs, and presentation materials. 
• Produce run-of-shows and communicate goals and outcomes to staff and vendors to ensure proper preparation.
• Serve as a collaborator and committee member on other all-school community events including Winter / Spring Arts Night.
• Manage pre- and post-event activities, including mailing lists, sending invitations, tracking attendance, and reporting. 
• In partnership with Advancement Coordinator and Director of Development, oversee auction item data management, including donation tracking and reporting. 
• Collaborate with the Advancement Coordinator to document all contacts with donors, prospective donors, and special event attendees using best practices in Raiser’s Edge. 
• Regularly collect and analyze feedback on school events to improve future events. 
• Protect confidential information with sound judgment.

Parent Communication and Content Collection:  

• Serve as a key point of contact for parent-facing communication related to community events, volunteer opportunities, and family engagement.
• Partner with the Marketing and Communications Manager to develop clear, timely, and engaging parent communications.
• Draft and coordinate communications for PGA activities, community events, volunteer opportunities, and other family programs.
• Maintain parent-facing calendars, portals, and resources related to community engagement.
• Support the collection of photographs, stories, and other content that highlights the OWS community.
• Help ensure that families have clear information about how and when they can participate in the life of the school.
• Communicate expectations, logistics, and changes clearly and thoughtfully to families and volunteers.

#L1-SR1

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or 3+ years relevant experience. 
• Proven experience in leading and managing high-impact events, including logistics coordination, planning, and execution.
• Demonstrated experience with management of volunteers, student interns, direct reports, or similar.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and frequent deadlines. 
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. 
• Strong time management and organizational skills. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 
• Ability to work onsite.
• Attend evening and weekend events as required.

Qualities:

• Be fully immersed in the Open Window community, articulating a genuine passion for the school's mission.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with donors, staff, and volunteers. 
• Support and grow development activities that respect the traditions, preferences, and abilities of diverse staff and families.
• High standards of personal integrity.

Position Details:

• Manager:Director of Institutional Advancement and Strategy
• Compensation: $38.00 - $42.00 per hour
• Position Classification: Non-exempt, Full-Time 12 months
• Hours: Core business hours of 7:45am – 4:15pm, PGA meetings and events may fall outside of these hours (on average 2-4 times per month)

Benefits include:

• Vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (paid 100% for employee only coverage)
• Employer paid Health Reimbursement Account of $1,750 per plan year
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) Retirement Account, Pre-tax & Roth Options (eligible for 3% employer contribution and an up to 3% employer match after one year of service)
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional development and training opportunities

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for this position, your resume, and complete all application questions on ourCareer Opportunities website. Open Window School does not sponsor employment visas. 

Please be prepared to provide three references if requested. If you have any questions about the position or the application process, feel free to reach outhr@ows.org. Applications should be submitted through the online system and not via email.

Open Window School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, or other status legally protected by local, state, or federal law.