Director of Community Development and Engagement

RiseMe; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BakerRipley in Houston, TX seeks a Director of Community Development and Engagement to lead the One Front Door initiative and ensure community centers connect neighbors to programs, partners, and opportunities for advancement.

This role oversees operations, leadership teams, and cross‑functional partnerships to deliver high‑quality service and maximize community impact across BakerRipley programs.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years in program management roles, with experience leading programs or community initiatives.
• Proven ability to develop budgets and manage financials.
• Demonstrated experience implementing new programs or initiatives from design to execution.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational integration of agency programs within Community Centers.
• Oversee operational strategies, staff, and systems for community engagement.
• Develop and manage program budgets, contracts, and reporting requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture aligned with mission and values.
• Promote cross‑program collaboration across BakerRipley initiatives.
• Monitor performance and implement process improvements to increase access to services.
• Use data and feedback to inform strategic planning and decisions.
• Establish strategic partnerships with community organizations and partners.
• Represent BakerRipley in community meetings and external engagements.
• Ensure compliance with policies, safety standards, and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Program management

Change management

Data-driven decision making

Communication

CRM / case management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM Systems

Case management systems

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: 110 Aberdeen - Houston, TX, Position Type: Full-Time, Education Level: Bachelors Deg. or Equivalent Experience, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Travel Percentage: Frequent Local Travel (up to 50%), Job Category: Community Development & Family Services, Position Overview The Director of Community Development and Engagement leads BakerRipley’s One Front Door initiative which will ensure Community Centers are the connective infrastructure that links Neighbors to the full breadth of BakerRipley's programs, community partners, and opportunities for advancement The Director ensures community centers serve as integrated hubs where neighbors can seamlessly access high-quality programs, services, and partnerships that advance BakerRipley's mission. This position oversees the operational systems, leadership teams, and cross-functional partnerships that ensure exceptional customer service and effectively support the delivery of BakerRipley programs and services through Community Centers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational integration of agency programs within Community Centers by collaborating with agency leadership to ensure programs, One Front Door teams, and operational staff effectively support program delivery across the organization.
• Leads the operational strategies, staff, and systems that strengthen community engagement, improve the neighbor's experience, and maximize access to agency resources.
• Develop and manage program budgets, contracts, reporting requirements, and performance goals.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused culture that reflects BakerRipley's mission, values, and commitment to exceptional neighbor service.
• Promote and ensure collaboration happens across BakerRipley programs.
• Monitor operational performance and implement process improvements that increase access to services, strengthen operational effectiveness, and maximize community impact.
• Utilize data, community feedback, and operational trends to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and other stakeholders to expand programs and services.
• Represent BakerRipley in community meetings, collaborative initiatives, and external partnerships as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, contractual requirements, safety standards, and applicable regulations.

Qualifications

• Education Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience 5+ Years in Program Management Experience in program, project, or community-based leadership roles Experience developing and managing budgets and providing sound financial management Demonstrated experience implementing new programs, processes, or initiatives from design through full execution
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills across multiple teams and levels Proven ability to lead change and gain buy‑in for new initiatives in complex environments Ability to balance big-picture strategy with close attention to operational and data details Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence without formal authority Proficiency with CRM or case management systems
• Languages English required Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred