Director of Strategic Engagement SY 26-27

Director of Strategic Engagement

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is seeking a Director of Strategic Engagement to join our team for the 2026–27 school year.

ABOUT GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS) is a free, open-enrollment public charter school system in Newark, New Jersey, educating students from Pre-K to 12th grade. Our mission is to prepare every student for college success. GOLCS currently educates more than 2,100 students across seven campuses in the greater Newark area.

We provide all children with the support they need - inclusive of resources that acknowledge and address systemic inequities - to be empowered to thrive. We bridge the educational opportunity gap by supporting rigorous academics with daily individualized tutoring within a community committed to supporting equity and diversity.

These three principles guide our work, every day, in support of our students and mission:

• Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships;

• Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support of all students and team members;

Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students, in preparation for success in college and beyond.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Director of Strategic Engagement to join our Central Office team.

The Director of Strategic Engagement will lead key initiatives that expand the organization's reach, strengthen community relationships, and support the continued growth of the GOLCS network. The role centers on three primary areas of responsibility:

• Student Recruitment Management

• Leadership of External Network-Wide Events and Engagement Opportunities

• Fundraising and Donor Engagement

Working closely with the Managing Director of Strategy and senior leadership, the Director of Strategic Engagement will design and implement strategies that increase family awareness of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, strengthen enrollment pipelines, and build strong partnerships with community organizations and philanthropic supporters.

This role will also lead the development, planning, and execution of external network-wide engagement events, including family events, partner convenings, and community engagement opportunities that strengthen the visibility and connection of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School within Newark.

This is an ideal opportunity for a strategic, relationship-oriented leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for students and families in Newark.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is committed to ensuring that more Newark students and families have access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and beyond.

The Director of Strategic Engagement plays a critical role in advancing this mission by strengthening the organization's presence in the community and building the systems and relationships necessary to support continued growth.

Through strategic student recruitment leadership, high-impact external engagement events, and thoughtful donor cultivation, this role helps ensure that more families learn about GOLCS and that the organization has the partnerships and philanthropic support needed to sustain its work.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Director of Strategic Engagement reports directly to the Managing Director of Strategy .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Recruitment Management

• Lead the development and execution of a network-wide student recruitment strategy designed to meet annual enrollment targets and strengthen long-term enrollment pipelines.
• Develop and implement outreach initiatives that increase awareness of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School among prospective families across Newark.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, neighborhood partners, and family networks that serve as key recruitment referral sources.
• Oversee the planning and execution of student recruitment events, including open houses, school tours, enrollment information sessions, and community outreach events.
• Partner with the COO, Operations Staff, Network teams and Campus leadership to align recruitment efforts with school-based enrollment goals and community needs.
• Track and analyze enrollment data and outreach outcomes in order to refine recruitment strategies and improve engagement with prospective families.
• Collaborate with internal teams to develop communications and outreach materials that effectively communicate the GOLCS mission and value proposition.
• Directly support and collaborate with GOLCS School Directors and the Chief Operating Office to curate and implement effective student recruitment activities and tactics at the campus-level.
• Lead canvassing efforts in collaboration with the Managing Director of Strategy, COO, and Operations team to promote student recruitment and open house events

External Events & Engagement Leadership

• Lead the development, planning, and execution of external network-wide engagement events - centered on partners and families - that strengthen the visibility and presence of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School within the Newark community.
• Design and manage large-scale external events, including family engagement events, community outreach events, and partner convenings.
• Ensure external events effectively support both student recruitment goals and community engagement efforts.
• Coordinate with Network and campus teams to plan events that showcase the mission, programs, and impact of GOLCS.
• Build relationships with community leaders, civic organizations, and neighborhood partners that strengthen the organization's community presence.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Support the development and execution of the organization's fundraising strategy in partnership with the Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director of Strategy.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with philanthropic partners, donors, and community supporters.
• Identify and cultivate new donor prospects to strengthen the organization's philanthropic pipeline.
• Support the preparation of grant proposals, donor communications, and impact reports.
• Coordinate donor engagement opportunities and appreciation events that deepen relationships with supporters of the organization.

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop and manage partnerships with community organizations, corporations, and nonprofit partners.
• Represent Great Oaks Legacy Charter School at partner and community events, engaging families and community members while sharing enrollment opportunities
• Identify opportunities to expand programming, resources, and opportunities for GOLCS students and families through external partnerships.
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization in partnership meetings and community events.
• Monitor the effectiveness and impact of partnership initiatives.

Strategic Initiatives & Projects

• Support cross-functional strategic initiatives that advance the organization's key priorities.
• Manage project timelines, stakeholders, and deliverables related to engagement, recruitment, and partnership initiatives.
• Support the Managing Director of Strategy and senior leadership with special projects and emerging strategic opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Belief that all students have what it takes to be successful, to and through college, and a passion for the mission of closing the achievement gap.
• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• 5+ years of professional experience in strategy, operations, development, partnerships, community engagement, or related leadership roles, preferably within an education or nonprofit setting.
• Prior experience working in a charter school or public school environment preferred.
• Experience supporting or leading student recruitment strategy, enrollment management, community engagement, fundraising initiatives, or partnership development.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing external partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage families, donors, community partners, and internal teams.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong time management skills and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities effectively.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School offers a competitive and equitable compensation package aligned to years of relevant experience. The minimum base salary for this role is $105,000 , along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.
• Tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement per year.*
• Reimbursement for external professional development aligned to your role.
• Wellness reimbursement benefits including gym memberships, spa services, and more.*
• Online counseling services - for staff and their dependents - via top-rated therapy app.*
• Pre-tax state pension plan benefit with additional options available via voluntary retirement plans.
• Pre-tax dependent care, health, and transit flexible spending plans available.
• Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

GOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore, we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Great Oaks Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.