Director of Family and Community Engagement

Foundation Academies; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Foundation Academies in Trenton as the Director of Family and Community Engagement, where you will lead initiatives to foster partnerships between families and schools. This role focuses on improving equity and engagement within the community, ensuring that all families feel valued and empowered. You'll implement creative strategies to address family needs, coordinate events, and advocate for families, making a meaningful impact on the lives of students.

Benefits

Merit-based pay increases annually

Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with matching

Free financial wellness advising

Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan

Regular professional development and coaching

Paid sick and personal days with rollover

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in an urban school setting preferred.
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practices.
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement communication strategies that are culturally inclusive.
• Coordinate monthly family nights and community engagement events.
• Serve as the Homeless Liaison for families experiencing hardship.

Skills

Excellent communication

Relationship-building

Organizational skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Communications, or related field

Job description

Director of Family and Community Engagement

Home Office

Schedule

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:15pm

$80,000 – $108,000
What is the opportunity?

Foundation Academies is Trenton, New Jersey’s largest and highest-performing K–12 free public charter school. Our mission is to equip all scholars to excel in learning and empower them to lead purpose-filled lives. We work to dismantle systemic injustices and close the opportunity gap for youth in Trenton. That’s where you come in. As the Director of Family and Community Engagement, you will play a pivotal leadership role in building authentic, supportive partnerships between families, the community, and our schools. You will ensure that all families feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute to their scholar’s education. This work is critical to ensuring equity, improving attendance, and increasing engagement across grades K–12.

What is in it for you?

• Merit-based pay increases annually
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount
• Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular strategic professional development and coaching
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based laptop
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

What will you be doing?

Family Outreach, Communication, and Engagement

• Design and implement communication strategies that are culturally and linguistically inclusive
• Foster an inclusive environment by addressing family needs such as housing, food security, and mental health
• Coordinate monthly family nights, workshops, and engagement events
• Lead the FACT (Family Advisory Committee) with at least 10 active parent volunteers
• Ensure 90%+ family participation in all org-wide mandatory events
• Collect and analyze family engagement and attendance data to refine strategies
• Drive scholar attendance efforts by removing family engagement barriers

Meeting Families' & Scholars' Basic Needs

• Serve as the Homeless Liaison and advocate for families experiencing hardship
• Coordinate access to community services (food, shelter, health care, school supplies)
• Provide alternate engagement opportunities (virtual events, flexible schedules, translated materials)
• Ensure chronic absenteeism stays below 10%

Advocacy for Families & Community Partnerships

• Represent family voices in shaping inclusive school policies
• Partner with local organizations and community groups to support family initiatives
• Support post-secondary planning and connect families to financial literacy and career services
• Plan quarterly community engagement events to deepen school-community ties
• Collaborate with leadership on parent recognition, events, and celebrations
• Work with the Talent Team to inform families of employment opportunities at FA
• Coordinate with Communications and Tech teams to enhance digital engagement tools
• Serve as a liaison during crisis events and manage emergency communication protocols

What do we require from you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Work, Communications, or related field
• Proven experience in family and community engagement in a school or nonprofit setting
• Deep understanding of trauma-informed practices and family support systems
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities
• Track record of strategic thinking, leadership, and collaboration
• 2+ years of experience in an urban school setting preferred
• Committed to serving our scholar population in an anti-discriminatory learning environment.
• Semifinalist candidates will be required to provide unofficial transcripts, evidence of certification/eligibility, and 3 professional references.
• Hired candidates are responsible for the following: official transcripts, criminal clearance (fingerprinting), and medical clearance (TB/Mantoux testing).

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey’s largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school serving more than 1,000 scholars across three schools on two campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation’s finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability.

Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that’s what our families deserve.

We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly’s Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Foundation Academies is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Foundation Academies prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and prohibited by Foundation Academies. It is also our policy to comply with all applicable state and federal laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

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