WHO WE ARE

In 2020, 11.6 million children in the U.S.—16% of all children nationwide—lived in poverty, and those children were disproportionately children of color. Students living in poverty often have physical and mental health, social-emotional, cognitive, and identity development needs that schools are not equipped to support. Rooted in community for more than 45 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. CIS Co-Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that transform children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children.” 

Bill Milliken’s vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff embedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves more than 3,500 schools, the overwhelming majority are Title I-eligible schools across two channels: (1) independent affiliates and (2) licensed partnerships. Grounded in the power of transformative relationships to unlock a young person’s potential, CIS has a national, research-based history of delivering local results that support improved student relationships with adults, better-quality relationships with peers, and increased engagement and sense of belonging. These outcomes lead to improved attendance, improved academic success, and improved on-time high school graduation rates. 

MISSION AND VALUES 

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do. 

Within the national office, we foster a culture inspired by our mission, our values of integrity, accountability, equity, collaboration, and excellence, and a commitment to Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:  

• We acknowledge contributions and perspectives. 
• We collaborate across roles and departments. 
• We honor a whole-person approach and encourage balance. 

We aim to create a psychologically safe environment where relationships matter, and mutual respect is paramount.  

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Sr. Director, Organizational Health, the Principal of Organizational Health & Performance strengthens organizational capacity and develops network leadership across an assigned region of affiliates. Serving as thought partner, coach, resource activator, and connector, this position is essential to building healthy, high-performing organizations. The overarching goal is to cultivate strong leadership and sustainable organizational practices that drive long-term impact for schools and students, while enhancing connectivity and alignment between the national office and the network.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

DEVELOP NETWORK LEADERS AND STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

• Provide strategic coaching and thought partnership to local affiliate leadership, focusing on executive development, organizational transitions, crisis/emergency support, and sustainable practices.
• Conduct regular organizational health and/or leadership assessments and check-ins to identify growth opportunities and network needs.
• Deliver customized training and capacity-building support to enhance organizational health, sustainability, and long-term impact.
• Serve as the point of contact for an assigned region, providing technical support and consultations, fostering strong connections and alignment to national priorities and resources, and building connections across the network and the national office. 
• Create and implement strategies that support leaders in actualizing CIS Principles In Action.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 

• Assess, design, plan, and oversee executive leadership opportunities. 
• Coordinate and facilitate the Executive Leadership Development Program
• Plan, curate, deliver, and oversee a cross-functional team responsible for Leadership Town Hall. 
• Create peer learning opportunities that build leadership capabilities across the network.

DRIVE NETWORK ACTIVATION STRATEGY

• Foster a sense of connection to the national office by enhancing alignment with national priorities.       
• Facilitate specialized networking groups and communities of practice to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing. 
• Promote network connections that strengthen collective impact and innovation. 
• Provide cross-functional support with network initiatives, such as accreditation/reaccreditations, end-of-year reporting, policy activation, pass-through funding support, etc.
• Activate resources and strategic partnerships that support affiliate capacity. 
• Monitor engagement and identify opportunities to deepen network connectivity.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems and processes to better serve affiliates and strengthen the network.
• Participate in organization-wide initiatives and special projects.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties of the position satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role. Reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred. 
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in organizational development, network management, or nonprofit leadership and management. 
• Proven success implementing strategies that enhance organizational performance. 
• Experience coaching senior leaders and affiliate board members to achieve organizational goals. 
• Experience working in a federated or affiliate-based network environment preferred. 
• Experience scaling, growing, and sustaining programs focused on integrated student support services and/or federal school improvement initiatives. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of nonprofit operations, including governance, fundraising and sustainability, human resources, finance, marketing and communications, and evaluation. 
• Strategic thinking with the ability to align organizational priorities with long-term outcomes. 
• Knowledge of organizational development practices, including continuous improvement, change management, organizational health, and capacity-building frameworks. 
• Strong project management skills, including leading cross-functional initiatives and managing multiple priorities. 
• Relationship-building and coaching skills, with the ability to cultivate trust-based partnerships across diverse stakeholders. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation, consultation, and stakeholder engagement. 
• Data-informed decision-making skills, including analyzing and applying data to support organizational learning and improvement. 
• Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex organizational and network dynamics. 
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, belonging, and culturally responsive practices. 
• Strong organizational, time management, collaboration, and adaptability skills in a dynamic virtual work environment.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 25% (approximately 65 days during the fiscal year) is required, including travel in the domestic United States with overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS is a fully remote organization. The national office in Arlington, Virginia, is available for use as needed.

All interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Paid Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.