Sr. Principal, Marketing & Communication Operations

Arlington, VA • External Engagement • Posted 04/21/2023

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WHO WE ARE

Rooted in community for more than 40 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.” 

CIS programs are conducted annually throughout the United States, serving 3,270 schools; 1.8M students with over 15,000 community volunteers and 114 CIS affiliate organizations across the country. Their programs for students include providing needs assessments, support teams with corresponding plans to address academic and non-academic needs, delivery of multiple tiers of support for both students and families, progress monitoring and evaluation and assessment with parents and student support systems.

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. 

CIS also holds the following talent beliefs: 

• Every staff member is passionate and committed to the mission.
• As a National Office, CIS employees have a responsibility to live our values and integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization and lead by example.
• In turn, CIS is committed to continuously improving decision making, incentivizing creativity, and building engagement. We do this by building a diverse workforce, fostering a climate of inclusion, and shaping business practices and policies that promote equity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Sr. Principal, MarComm Operations works closely with the Chief External Engagement Officer and in partnership with the VP, Marketing and Communications to drive the execution of monthly/quarterly strategic and tactical initiatives in support of annual marketing, communications, and branding goals.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Implementation

• The Sr. Principal will serve as a project manager and internal consultant, monitoring project plans, offering best practices, support, and counsel to the MarComm team for key team initiatives.
• Support the Chief External Engagement Officer and the VP, Marketing and Communications in translating short- and medium-term goals into actionable projects. 
• The Sr. Principal serves as an initial POC in MarComm for intra- and inter-departmental projects.
• Regularly monitors performance metrics for all marketing and communications initiatives; synthesizes data, performs analyses and prepares reports, with recommendations, for CEEO, VP, and colleagues.
• Promotes and contributes to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial justice by initiating and participating in activities and functions that enhance organizational diversity. 

Marketing and Communications Operations

• Participate in and contribute to department leadership meetings and initiatives to advance CIS’s strategic marketing and communications priorities.
• Manage external vendors and consultants.
• Support and champion the mission, vision, values, and priorities, including advancing CIS’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Oversee and coordinate Communications editorial calendar and Advancement calendar to maximize internal resources and forecast when external resources may be required.

ABOUT YOU

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required skills & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of relevant experience) in communications, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• Minimum of 12 years of marketing and communications experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic marketing and communications, with a compelling combination of experience (including audience and message segmentation, editorial and content planning, operational delivery, executing campaigns that shape policy or opinion and measurement of results.)
• Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and strong consensus builder with confidence in interaction with senior stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented problem-solver who can employ leadership, critical thinking, time management and prioritization skills.
• Deep understanding of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices in marketing and communications.
• Significant experience in working with technology platforms and software associated with digital and traditional marketing and communications.
• Experience collaborating with research firms; possesses the knowledge to utilize technology-based research and report generation tools.
• Advanced PC skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Proven strength in communication (written, verbal, and associated technologies).
• Demonstrated strength and proven track record in project management.
• A willingness to learn and flexibility to shift as priorities change.
• Excited to work with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives from your own.

TRAVEL

May be required to travel up to 15% including travel in the domestic United States with overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate. 

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, 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
• 9 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and 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.