Summary

Description

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

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, advocacy, and family commitment.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Engagement Strategy & Systems (35%)

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.

Enrollment Strategy & Community Activation (25%)

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.

Family & Community Engagement (15%)

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.

Partnerships, Advocacy & External Presence (15%)

Represent DSST in key community forums, coalitions, and public events.
Cultivate high-impact partnerships with local and statewide organizations, advocacy groups, and civic entities.
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.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building (10%)

Directly manage and develop members of the Community and External Engagement team, including Community Engagement Recruitment Managers (CERMs).
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.

Initial Priorities (First 12–18 Months)

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.

Outcomes & Measures of Success

Strong enrollment pipelines and improved conversion in partnership with schools and operations
Increased family trust, engagement, and advocacy
Sustainable, high-impact community and organizational partnerships
Clear, scalable engagement systems used consistently across the network
Effective leadership and development of the external engagement team

Additional Duties (5%)

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

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.

Who We Are

At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.

We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.

Our Impact

100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people

Why Work at DSST?

At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.

Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and 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, and 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, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.