Dir 2, Comm Engmnt & Strat Dev Food Srvs

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Development is a senior leadership role responsible for strengthening the organization’s visibility, workforce capabilities, and financial sustainability. This position oversees staff development initiatives, leads marketing and promotional strategy, manages community facing events, and cultivates partnerships that expand skill building opportunities and generate new revenue streams.        

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

List most important duties first
1.        Build and implement a comprehensive staff development framework focused on upskilling, cross training, and leadership readiness.
2.        Facilitate workshops, coaching sessions, and professional development pathways.
3.        Develop and execute a cohesive marketing strategy that elevates the organization’s brand and mission.
4.        Oversee digital presence, including website content, social media, newsletters, and promotional campaigns.
5.        Create messaging that highlights programs, success stories, and community impact.
6.        Ensure brand consistency across all platforms and materials.
7.        Build event calendars that align with strategic goals and community needs.
8.        Serve as the primary ambassador for the organization in the community.
9.        Build and maintain relationships with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and civic groups.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

10.        Identify collaboration opportunities that expand services, increase visibility, and support shared goals.
11.        Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities through partnerships, sponsorships, fee based programs, grants, and community collaborations.
12.        Develop proposals and pitches that articulate value and impact.
13.        Work with leadership to diversify funding streams and strengthen long term financial sustainability.
14.        Other duties as assigned. (Note: No additional information is needed in this text box.)

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Marketing, Communications, Education, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Master’s degree in a related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

5+ years of professional experience in at least two of the following areas:
Staff development or training
Marketing and communications
Event planning and promotion
Community engagement or partnership development

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Software
Oracle
Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Microsoft Teams 
SharePoint 
Microsoft Planner 
Canva 
Microsoft Forms 

Equipment
Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)
Vehicles (automobile)

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Senior Management. Manages a department or multiple major disciplines, often through subordinate management. Regularly manages staff in the completion of large-scale projects or a very closely related set of projects/initiatives often spanning multiple disciplines. Receives strategies and broad departmental objectives from senior leadership; establishes operational objectives and work plans; delegates assignments to subordinate management and staff. Allocates resources according to priorities and serves as the primary decision maker regarding hiring, performance, and budget.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong Analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice, and feedback. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have moderate impact to the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, overpayment or improper utilization of labor, materials, or equipment. Effects are usually confined to the organization itself and is short term.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interpret department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex and escalate customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements. Ability to carry and/or lift less than 45 pounds. 
Travel between sites may be required.