Director of Strategic Engagement

Kansas City Public Schools

Director of Strategic Engagement

Job Title Code: 02297

Salary Grade: S664- Starting at $80,912

Department: Communications and Community Engagement

Reports To: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Date Prepared: July 2025

Position Summary:

The Director of Strategic Engagement for Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for leading the strategic vision and execution of comprehensive stakeholder engagement. This position focuses on aligning communications, community engagement, and government relations efforts across the district. The Director manages family engagement staff and coordinates outreach around major district initiatives, including General Obligation Bond projects, ensuring all engagement efforts are inclusive, transparent, and directly aligned with district priorities and the educational mission.

What You'll Be Doing: (Responsibilities)

- Strategic Engagement Vision & Leadership:

- Set and implement the district-wide engagement vision in collaboration with the Communications and Community Engagement Department.

- Serve as the primary point of contact for strategic community engagement, including General Obligation Bond projects and other major initiatives.

- Lead government relations efforts, including coordination with local, state, and federal stakeholders.

Provide regular updates to the Board and Administration on engagement efforts and community feedback.

- Community & Family Engagement:

- Oversee and support the Family Engagement team, ensuring alignment with district goals and Board Policy 4.1.1.

- Build and maintain strong community, business, civic, and philanthropic partnerships to support district planning and programming.

- Plan, organize, and facilitate stakeholder meetings with staff, students, families, and community leaders.

- Develop and execute a comprehensive outreach and communications strategy using multiple platforms (e.g., website, press releases, public notices, newsletters, social media, town halls).

Organize, develop, and deliver content-specific public presentations.

- Program & Project Coordination:

- Prepare school building profiles and contribute to the development of strategic engagement guidelines.

- Coordinate with district leadership to ensure consistent communication of the Ten-Year Capital Plan and other strategic priorities.

Collect, analyze, and report engagement data to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

To Be Successful at This Job, You'll Need To: (Qualifications)

- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

- Previous experience leading community conversations across diverse stakeholder groups.

- 3-5 years of non-profit project management experience.

- Ability to work a flexible work schedule; weekdays, evenings, weekends, as needed.

Strong organizational and communication skills, including conflict resolution.

Physical Demands: This job requires that the employee be able to: sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, use hands, fingers, reach with hands and fingers; bend, stoop, lift objects of at least ten pounds.