Community Engagement Manager - Community and Media Relations

Gwinnett County Public Schools; Georgia; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia seeks a skilled communications professional to strengthen two-way engagement with families, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders under the supervision of the Chief Communications Officer.

The role develops and leads district-wide community engagement strategies, identifies key stakeholder groups, creates input opportunities, and ensures accessibility for diverse communities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement or related fields required.
• Experience with public schools or government agencies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the Communications team to strengthen relationships with families, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and lead district-wide community engagement strategies aligned with GCPS priorities.
• Represent GCPS in community settings and ensure engagement opportunities are accessible.
• Plan and facilitate listening sessions, town halls, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings.
• Track engagement activity and report findings to Communications leadership.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Public outreach

Facilitation

Presentation skills

Writing skills

Event planning

Data interpretation

Diplomacy

Digital tools

Education

Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, public administration, education, business, finance, nonprofit management, community development, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Survey tools

Presentation software

Job description

License and Certification Qualifications

• None Required

Education Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in communications, public relations, public administration, education, business, finance, nonprofit management, community development, or a related field (Required)

Experience Qualifications

• 5 years years of progressively responsible experience in community engagement, public affairs, government relations, public education, nonprofit or community-based organizations, external relations, family engagement, partnership development, communications, or a related field (Required)
• Experience working with public schools, school boards, local government, nonprofit organizations, community coalitions, civic organizations, or public agencies (Preferred)

Skills Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of community engagement, public outreach, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement practices.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with families, educators, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations, public agencies, and government partners.
• Experience building consensus among stakeholders with different interests, priorities, and perspectives.
• Knowledge of public education, school governance, local government, nonprofit organizations, civic engagement, or community-based work.
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, presentation, writing, and professional communication skills.
• Ability to plan and lead community meetings, listening sessions, town halls, focus groups, workshops, events, and stakeholder conversations.
• Ability to explain policy, budget, program, or organizational information in clear language for community audiences.
• Ability to prepare talking points, presentations, briefings, public comments, reports, and stakeholder communications.
• Ability to identify barriers to participation and develop inclusive outreach strategies that expand access to district information and engagement opportunities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple initiatives, partners, timelines, and events.
• Ability to review participation data, survey findings, stakeholder feedback, and other information to improve engagement efforts.
• Sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism when addressing sensitive or high-profile community concerns.
• Comfort working with common digital communication, survey, database, presentation, and stakeholder management tools. Ability to learn district systems and technology.

Primary Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the Communications team responsible for strengthening relationships between Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) and families, community organizations, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, faith-based organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders. Under the supervision of the Chief Communications Officer, develop and lead community engagement strategies that build trust, increase participation, support two-way communication, and connect community input to district priorities. Represent GCPS in community settings, build partnerships that support students and schools, and help ensure engagement opportunities are accessible to the districts diverse community.

Community Engagement Strategy

• Develop and implement districtwide community engagement strategies aligned with GCPS priorities and major initiatives.
• Identify key stakeholder groups and develop outreach approaches based on their needs, interests, and preferred methods of participation.
• Create meaningful opportunities for families and community members to provide input, ask questions, share concerns, and participate in district initiatives.
• Advise Communications leadership on community sentiment, emerging concerns, engagement opportunities, and effective approaches for reaching key audiences.

Community Partnerships and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with families, nonprofits, businesses, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, cultural organizations, public agencies, elected officials, and other community partners.
• Serve as a district liaison for organizations seeking to engage with or support GCPS and connect partners with the appropriate schools, departments, programs, or district leaders.
• Identify partnership opportunities that provide resources, expertise, programs, services, sponsorships, grants, volunteer support, or other assistance aligned with district priorities.
• Maintain organized records of key relationships, engagement activity, commitments, follow-up items, and partnership opportunities.

Government and Civic Engagement

• Build relationships with municipal, county, state, and community leaders whose work intersects with GCPS.
• Support district engagement with civic organizations, community coalitions, public agencies, and elected officials.
• Track community and public policy issues with potential impact on district engagement efforts.
• Prepare background information, talking points, community briefings, presentations, and stakeholder materials as assigned.
• Help district leaders understand community perspectives, concerns, and opportunities affecting schools and families.

Family and Community Outreach

• Represent GCPS at community meetings, neighborhood events, civic gatherings, partner meetings, resource fairs, and other public forums.
• Plan and facilitate listening sessions, town halls, focus groups, stakeholder meetings, community conversations, and other opportunities for two-way engagement.
• Connect families and community members with district programs, services, resources, and appropriate staff.
• Work with schools and community partners to identify barriers affecting family participation and access to district resources.
• Develop bilingual and culturally responsive outreach approaches in partnership with Communications staff, schools, and community organizations.
• Support outreach to communities with lower participation in district meetings, programs, surveys, and engagement activities.

School and Department Support

• Partner with school leaders and district departments to strengthen family and community engagement practices.
• Develop tools, guidance, templates, and resources that help schools strengthen relationships with families and community stakeholders.
• Support districtwide engagement initiatives involving families, students, staff, community members, and other stakeholder groups.
• Help connect schools with community resources and organizations that support identified student and family needs.

Engagement Programs and Events

• Plan and coordinate district community engagement programs, special events, stakeholder convenings, and outreach initiatives.
• Coordinate logistics, communications, partner participation, materials, registration, follow-up, and evaluation for assigned activities.
• Collaborate across the Communications team to ensure community-facing events and initiatives receive appropriate communication support.

Measurement and Continuous Improvement

• Establish goals and measures for community engagement initiatives and track participation, reach, stakeholder feedback, partnership activity, and other indicators of effectiveness.
• Gather and organize qualitative and quantitative feedback to identify themes, concerns, and opportunities.
• Prepare summaries, reports, presentations, and recommendations for Communications leadership and other district leaders.
• Research emerging practices and recommend new approaches, tools, programs, or partnerships that strengthen participation and trust.

Issues Management and Community Response

• Support district leaders and Communications staff when community concerns require targeted outreach, meetings, stakeholder communication, or follow-up.
• Identify affected stakeholder groups, trusted community partners, and appropriate approaches for addressing concerns.
• Help maintain relationships with families and community organizations during sensitive or high-profile district issues.
• Gather community feedback and identify recurring concerns for Communications leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive information or stakeholder concerns.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.