Scan your resume against ATS criteria for this Principal, State Strategy role at Communities in Schools.
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 more than 3,500 schools, 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.
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 Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:
The Principal, State Strategy, reports to the Sr. Director, Organizational Health and serves as a strategic subject matter expert for Communities In Schools’ state strategy initiatives. This role translates grant and funder requirements into actionable plans and drives consistent execution across multiple state portfolios and leads the design and implementation of systems, processes, tools, and accountability structures that advance strategic priorities and measurable outcomes.
With a high degree of autonomy, this role manages complex initiatives and external resources, monitors performance, identifies and mitigates risks, and provides strategic counsel to leadership to strengthen execution, drive continuous improvement, and achieve organizational goals.
Interpret grant requirements and contractual obligations, translate expectations into implementation plans, establish deliverable timelines and reporting schedules, communicate expectations to stakeholders, monitor completion of required milestones, and ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and contractual requirements.
Design, establish, and continuously improve implementation systems, dashboards, tracking tools, reporting mechanisms, templates, documentation standards, and knowledge management processes that enable consistent execution, strengthen accountability, improve operational effectiveness, and support achievement of network objectives across multiple state portfolios.
Develop and monitor implementation budgets, forecast resource needs, oversee consultant and contractor procurement and performance, develop scopes of work, monitor expenditures, recommend budget adjustments, and provide leadership with regular updates on financial and resource utilization.
Lead planning and execution of statewide strategy convenings, develop implementation guidance, project plans, milestone trackers, standardized templates, and supporting resources that strengthen state capacity and promote consistent implementation practices.
Develop and facilitate progress review processes, prepare executive-level performance summaries, maintain implementation dashboards, coordinate cross-functional performance discussions, analyze implementation trends, and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational effectiveness and execution.
vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff imbedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves more than 3,500 schools, 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 imp
How to apply for Principal, State Strategy at Communities in Schools?
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What is the salary for this role?
Salary details will be discussed during the interview.
What experience is required?
45+ years of experience is required.
Is this position still open?
Yes, currently active and accepting applications.
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