Uncommon Schools (Uncommon) Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public schools that are increasing the academic achievement of historically under-resourced communities and preparing students for success in college and beyond. Uncommon currently manages 54 schools serving more than 20,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. We have achieved outstanding academic results based on internal assessments, statewide exams, and graduation milestones.

External Title: External Relations Manager

Internal Title: External Affairs Manager

Location(s): Camden, NJ

Team: Camden Regional External Team

Hiring Start Time: April/May 2020

About the Role

The Regional External Affairs Manager (Manager) will establish and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders to ensure that they know, support and protect our schools; and design and execute on programs and initiatives that deepen the relationships between the schools and the communities we serve! They will advance our external-facing communications and initiatives, including school tour management, website and social media oversight, logistical support of external events and board meetings, and other administrative responsibilities for our Camden region. The Manager will also lead the overall Camden student recruitment strategy, marketing, and outreach efforts in the region, including management of the handoff to the regional and school operations teams as students apply.

The position will report to the Regional Senior Director of External Affairs, and will work closely with the Camden regional operations team, school and regional leaders in Camden, members of regional teams in other Uncommon regions, as well members of Uncommon’s Home Office teams.

Responsibilities:

• External Affairs:
  • Analyze and navigate the education and political landscape in Camden and New Jersey.
  • Educate community leaders, advocates and elected officials about our schools through relationship building, school visits, community events, etc.
  • Attend community events regularly.
  • Identify and train parent leaders at each of our schools to engage with elected officials and community leaders, mobilize large groups of parents for advocacy events and initiatives, and lead school-based community engagement efforts.
  • Lead non-partisan voter registration and get out the vote campaigns among families, in coordination with schools.
  • Run partner database, ensuring data entry and data integrity in databases.
  • Handle monthly tour schedule for donors, educators and prospective parents.
  • Lead regional website updates, social media, and school newsletters.
  • Execute actions steps for board meeting preparation (e.g. monthly communications, information gathering, packet creation, etc.)
• Student Recruitment and Outreach: support Camden schools in getting prospective parents to apply, including:
  • Lead overall student recruitment, including marketing efforts, for the region.
  • Drive outreach to prospective parents via mailers, canvassing, and attending enrollment fairs; etc.
  • Track progress around all outreach efforts, analyze progress data, and design plans to adjust to real-time data.
• General administrative support such as logistical support for events, purchasing and invoicing, scheduling meetings, and taking meeting notes.
• Additional duties and projects as needed and assigned in support of Camden schools.

• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), outgoing and personable
• Knowledge of the Camden education and local political landscape is preferred;
• Proficient computer skills with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), online Google applications, and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
• Standout colleague who is an ambitious "go-getter" with the ability to lead and motivate others.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, flexible, and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities, and a sense of humor in the face of opposing demands.
• High sense of urgency; demonstrated ability to successfully balance multiple projects concurrently; and proactively seeks feedback to improve.
• Flexible schedule desired given the need to attend morning and evening meetings, and occasional weekend events.
• Must have access to a personal vehicle to travel to our schools and community events.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required;
• Minimum three years of professional experience in organizing, community engagement or other relevant work with schools and families in communities similar to those we serve.
• Prior experience planning and running large scale projects.
• Prior experience with grassroots field organizing, including experience in political or issues campaigns, or leading a field organizing team a plus.

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a very generous benefits and vacation package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.