VP of External Relations

Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) is seeking a dynamic strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President of External Relations. This executive leadership role will guide the organizations communications marketing and resource development efforts to expand the impact of CISNC and ensure more students across North Carolina have the support they need to succeed in school and in life.

For more than three decades Communities In Schools has partnered with schools and communities across North Carolina to surround students with the relationships resources and opportunities they need to stay in school and achieve in life. The Vice President of External Relations will play a critical role in advancing this mission by building strong partnerships elevating CISNCs voice and securing the philanthropic investments needed to sustain and grow services statewide.

Why Join CISNC

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization that is making a tangible difference in the lives of students and families across North Carolina. The Vice President of External Relations will help shape the future of CISNC by expanding partnerships strengthening public awareness and securing the resources needed to ensure that more students have the support they need to succeed.

About Communities In Schools of North Carolina:

At Communities In Schools we are all-in for kids. It is our passion-- it is our mission. As the State Office for North Carolina we deliver CIS programs across the state and we collaborate 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. Communities In Schools is the nations largest dropout prevention organization serving 1.5 million students in 2400 sites across the country. We achieve this mission by hiring bright creative and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC we value relationships collaboration learning integrity and commitment.

Position Overview:

The Vice President of External Relations plays a critical leadership role in advancing the mission and strategic growth of Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC). This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive external relations strategy that expands the organizations reach strengthens its visibility and secures the resources necessary to serve more students across North Carolina.

The Vice President leads the organizations communications marketing and resource development efforts building and stewarding relationships that generate philanthropic investment and deepen engagement with key stakeholders. Working collaboratively with the President/CEO and senior leadership team this role helps shape and implement strategies that elevate CISNCs impact and position the organization as a trusted partner in supporting student success statewide.

This position oversees all external relations functions including communications and brand management marketing and public awareness campaigns relationship development fund development donor cultivation and stewardship special events grant writing and management prospect research campaigns and CRM/database management.

The Vice President of External Relations plays a key role in executing the organizations strategic plan by aligning communications and fundraising strategies with CISNCs mission expanding partnerships and securing the philanthropic support needed to sustain and grow services for students and families across North Carolina.

Location and core business hours:

CISNC Durham office

Core Business Hours M-F 9AM-4PM

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external Relations strategy aligned with CISNCs strategic plan and growth goals.
• Partner with the President/CEO and leadership team to strengthen the organizations visibility partnerships and philanthropic investment.
• Identify opportunities to expand CISNCs reach and impact through strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Support and develop board relationships to open doors to new opportunities for the organization.

Resource Development

• Lead and manage all fundraising strategies including individual giving corporate partnerships foundation grants campaigns and shared networkwide fundraising.
• Leverage executive-level networks and partnerships with business leaders philanthropic organizations and community stakeholders to expand CISNCs reach influence and philanthropic support.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors foundations and corporate partners.
• Oversee grant strategy writing and management.
• Develop and execute fundraising campaigns and events that strengthen philanthropic engagement.

Communications and Marketing

• Develop and lead strategic public awareness and media campaigns that elevate CISNCs visibility across the affiliate network strengthen stakeholder engagement and highlight measurable student outcomes.
• Lead the organizations communications and marketing strategy to elevate CISNCs brand and impact across North Carolina.
• Oversee external communications storytelling media relations and digital presence.
• Develop campaigns that engage stakeholders and amplify the organizations mission and outcomes.

Relationship and Partnership Development

• Build and steward relationships with key partners including business leaders philanthropy community organizations and education stakeholders.
• Support the engagement of board members and partners in fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Serve as an ambassador for CISNC representing the organization in external forums and events.

Team and Operations Leadership

• Oversee external Relations staff and consultants responsible for communications development marketing and donor engagement.
• Ensure strong systems for prospect research donor stewardship and database management.
• Establish metrics to measure effectiveness of fundraising and communications efforts.

Core Competencies:

• Student-Centered
• Integrity and Accountability
• Collaboration
• Impact-Driven Excellence
• Respect

Job Specific Competencies:

• Effective Professional Communication
• Fundraising
• Collaboration
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Decision Making and Judgement
• Interpersonal Skills
• Planning and Organizing
• Project Management
• Relationship Building
• Researching Information
• Strategic Vision
• Creative and Innovative Thinking

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelors degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Candidates with significant senior leadership experience and a demonstrated portfolio of strategic relationships philanthropic partnerships and executive-level engagement may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 810 years of leadership experience in fundraising communications marketing external Relations or related fields.
• Proven track record of securing philanthropic investments and building strong donor relationships including experience with major gifts corporate partnerships and foundation funding.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic communications or public relations initiatives including media campaigns or public awareness efforts that resulted in measurable outcomes such as increased visibility engagement or philanthropic investment.
• Established network of relationships with senior leaders across philanthropy business media and community organizations with the ability to leverage those connections to advance organizational goals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in nonprofit education community-based corporate or cross-sector environments is strongly valued.
• Commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools and improving outcomes for students.
• Must be able to see hear and move about the office.
• Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
• Must be willing to travel up to 10%

NOTE: The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required in order to perform the work.

Learn more at and stay connected with CISNC on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

Perks:

We offer outstanding benefits including medical dental vision short-term disability and 403(b) match and MORE!!! We offer paid vacation wellness time and holidays. Our team is friendly fun and collaborative.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any person because of race color creed religion sex national origin gender gender identity sexual orientation disability age genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as protected status). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms conditions and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities participation in all company-sponsored activities and all employment actions such as promotions compensation benefits and termination of employment.