Communications and Engagement Specialist - External Relations & Institutional Partnerships

FLSA Status:

Exempt Grade:

U12

Revision Date:

May 1, 2026

Location:

Central Office Job Summary The Communications and Engagement Specialist:

External Relations & Institutional Partnerships leads the development and management of strategic external relationships to support WJCC Schools' priorities and expand opportunities for students, staff, and the community. The Specialist cultivates and sustains partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, civic organizations, and volunteers, and coordinates initiatives that strengthen the Division's visibility, community presence, and long-term support. This position plays a key role in aligning external partnerships with division goals, enhancing community investment, and advancing student opportunities. Duties and Responsibilities Builds, manages, and sustains relationships and strategic partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, civic groups, and service organizations to support division initiatives and priorities. Identifies and develops opportunities for collaboration, sponsorship, student experiences, and program support through partnerships. Serves as the primary point of contact for external partners, ensuring strong, ongoing relationships and alignment with division needs. Collaborates with division staff to foster systemwide understanding of existing partnerships, division and school needs, and aligned opportunities for expansion. Leads the development, coordination, and growth of the Division's volunteer program, including recruitment, onboarding, tracking, and recognition of volunteers. Collaborates with school-based staff and community partners to expand meaningful volunteer opportunities aligned with school and division needs. Coordinates opportunities for division representation, presentations, and community involvement. Develops and maintains systems to track partnerships, volunteer engagement, and external relations activities. Establishes metrics and monitors data to measure the effectiveness and growth of volunteer programming, institutional partnerships, and external engagement efforts to inform continuous improvement. Supports coordination and communication with the WJCC Schools Foundation, including alignment of partnership efforts, community messaging, and joint initiatives, as assigned. Collaborates with leadership and communications staff to support Foundation-related campaigns, events, and outreach efforts. Identifies opportunities to increase the Division's visibility and engagement within the broader community. Supports division and department initiatives and special projects as assigned. Models the

WJCC Strategic Plan Values:

Individualism, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Collaboration. Evening and/or weekend work may be required. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities Required) Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Public Relations, Business, Marketing, or related field. Communications, public affairs, public relations, external relations, partnership development, or related experience, including community engagement and/or outreach. Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to engage in small or large group settings, facilitate meetings and/or present information, and successfully engage with diverse audiences. Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and sustain professional relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including business, nonprofit, civic, and institutional partners. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively, independently, in a team environment, and with various stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, multi-task in a fast-paced environment, deliver long-term projects, and meet tight deadlines. Proficiency in the use of technology. Bilingual communication skills and abilities preferred. Supervision Exercised This position has no supervisory responsibility. Supervision Received Performs duties under the supervision of the Chief Communications Officer. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements Highly diverse and complex duties. Must have high tolerance for change and the ability to work on several projects and assignments concurrently. Strong interpersonal skills required in working with diverse groups. Must have initiative and assume responsibility for working productively with minimal supervision. Must have the ability to sit for extended periods of time in a busy office environment; exhibit manual dexterity to enter data into a computer terminal; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person and on the telephone; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The incumbent will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the principal or appropriate administrator. WJCC Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.