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 imbedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves approximately 3,270 schools and sites, 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. In 2021, the overall CIS enterprise had revenue of $330 million, including roughly $300 million within its 110 independent affiliates. This nationwide network is supported by the CIS National Office.

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 Diversity, 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

As Chief Operating Officer at Communities in Schools, National Office, you will be pivotal in guiding the organization through rapid change, growth, and transformation. In the past eighteen months the organization has doubled its staff size to over 110 employees, all who work remotely across 19 different states.

This critical position reports directly to the President & CEO and is a member of the Executive Leadership team (ELT). In partnership with the President & CEO you will collaborate with key stakeholders (ELT, the Board of Directors, and senior staff) to execute our strategic plan that aligns with our mission, values, and culture.

In addition, your Servant Leadership style will make you an effective department head for our CIS’ Operations Team, comprised of a 30-member team across Finance, Human Capital, and Technology, led by their respective Vice Presidents. You will have the highest level of accountability for the organization's financial health and fiduciary responsibility for a $30M budget.

Our team’s culture is inspired by our mission, values, and commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. You will ensure our operational systems, policies, practices, and structures foster an organizational culture that prioritizes the value of differing perspectives, collaboration, and whole-person work-life harmony.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership/Vision/Culture

• Collaborate with the CEO, ELT, and the National Board of Directors to execute the strategic plan.
• Translate strategic goals into operational and financial strategies aimed at sustainability, extending our reach, and increasing capacity and effectiveness.
• Lead the strategic planning process and cycle, acting as a point of contact for executive team leaders to ensure coordinated integration of the plan.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Board to build a multi-year business model anchored in the strategic plan and programmatic offerings that meet the organization’s impact, growth, and sustainability targets.
• Through a strategic, organization-wide lens, ensure the systems and practices needed to effectively track and measure goal performance are in place.
• Employ change-management expertise to lead the organization through its current and future transitions and growth phases.
• In collaboration with the Executive Leadership Team, champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the National Office, ensuring our DEI principles are deeply integrated into all aspects of operations, culture, and strategic planning to foster an inclusive and equitable workforce.

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Manage day-to-day operations to ensure alignment with broader strategic objectives.
• Assume responsibility for the organization’s health and operational stability, protecting its assets and ensuring the strategic allocation of resources to maximize impact and long-term sustainability.
• Leads the Operations Department ensuring effective integration and optimization of our technology, human capital, and financial resources to expand organizational impact in support of our mission.
• Drive operational excellence across the organization, refining and/or creating systems and processes to ensure Communities in Schools National Office continues to sustain its size and growing operational complexity.
• Establish or revise policies, practices, processes, and systems that embed our culture, vision, and commitment to our mission in a remote workforce.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and optimization across all functional areas to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and drive operational excellence.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements, and champion the adoption of innovative technologies and digital solutions to drive operational efficiency and competitive advantage. Identify and execute opportunities to leverage technology to drive improvements in organizational performance.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards, and promote a culture of ethical conduct and corporate responsibility throughout the organization.
• Build capacity in direct reports through comprehensive development including the establishment of performance goals, regular check-ins, coaching, timely feedback, and professional development opportunities.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

As a successful operation executive, you will have accomplished the essential job requirements listed below:

Required skills & qualifications:

• 15+ years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a senior-level leadership role, preferably in a non-profit, service, or consulting organization.
• Experience in leading operations in a scaling organization with a budget of $30 million dollars or more. Experience in risk management, finance, human resources, technology, or other similar roles that require critical evaluation, risk identification, mitigation, and management.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with the executive leadership team and the board in developing, monitoring, and executing the strategic plan.
• Demonstrated experience in building and sustaining cultures embedded in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability in financial planning, budgeting, and managing financial operations in a mixed-funding environment (e.g., public and private).
• Demonstrated success in managing, coaching, mentoring, collaborating, and serving as a thought partner staff at various career levels.
• An outstanding leader of people with high organizational EQ and the proven ability to develop and manage at all levels within the organization.
• Passion for leading social change and share CIS values of Integrity, Excellent, Equity, and Accountability.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 15% is required, including travel in the domestic US with overnight stays for CIS national meetings, training, and retreats.

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
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break (when approved by the President/CEO)
• 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 category protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of the above 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.