Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) is seeking a dynamic, strategic and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President of External Relations. This executive leadership role will guide the organization’s communications, marketing, and resource development efforts to expand the impact of CISNC and ensure more students across North Carolina have the support they need to succeed in school and in life.

For more than three decades, Communities In Schools has partnered with schools and communities across North Carolina to surround students with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to stay in school and achieve in life. The Vice President of External Relations will play a critical role in advancing this mission by building strong partnerships, elevating CISNC’s voice, and securing the philanthropic investments needed to sustain and grow services statewide.

Why Join CISNC?

This is an opportunity to join a mission-driven organization that is making a tangible difference in the lives of students and families across North Carolina. The Vice President of External Relations will help shape the future of CISNC by expanding partnerships, strengthening public awareness, and securing the resources needed to ensure that more students have the support they need to succeed.

About Communities In Schools of North Carolina:

At Communities In Schools, we are “all-in” for kids. It is our passion-- it is our mission. As the State Office for North Carolina, we deliver CIS programs across the state and we collaborate with local affiliate organizations, to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, serving 1.5 million students in 2,400 sites across the country. We achieve this mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC, we value relationships, collaboration, learning, integrity and commitment.

Position Overview:

The Vice President of External Relations plays a critical leadership role in advancing the mission and strategic growth of Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC). This position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive external relations strategy that expands the organization’s reach, strengthens its visibility, and secures the resources necessary to serve more students across North Carolina.

The Vice President leads the organization’s communications, marketing, and resource development efforts, building and stewarding relationships that generate philanthropic investment and deepen engagement with key stakeholders. Working collaboratively with the President/CEO and senior leadership team, this role helps shape and implement strategies that elevate CISNC’s impact and position the organization as a trusted partner in supporting student success statewide.

This position oversees all external relations functions, including communications and brand management, marketing and public awareness campaigns, relationship development, fund development, donor cultivation and stewardship, special events, grant writing and management, prospect research, campaigns, and CRM/database management.

The Vice President of External Relations plays a key role in executing the organization’s strategic plan by aligning communications and fundraising strategies with CISNC’s mission, expanding partnerships, and securing the philanthropic support needed to sustain and grow services for students and families across North Carolina.

Location and core business hours:

CISNC Durham office

Core Business Hours M-F 9AM-4PM

Essential Functions:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive external Relations strategy aligned with CISNC’s strategic plan and growth goals.
• Partner with the President/CEO and leadership team to strengthen the organization’s visibility, partnerships, and philanthropic investment.
• Identify opportunities to expand CISNC’s reach and impact through strategic relationships and partnerships.
• Support and develop board relationships to open doors to new opportunities for the organization.

Resource Development

• Lead and manage all fundraising strategies, including individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, campaigns and shared networkwide fundraising.
• Leverage executive-level networks and partnerships with business leaders, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders to expand CISNC’s reach, influence, and philanthropic support.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Oversee grant strategy, writing, and management.
• Develop and execute fundraising campaigns and events that strengthen philanthropic engagement.

Communications and Marketing

• Develop and lead strategic public awareness and media campaigns that elevate CISNC’s visibility across the affiliate network, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and highlight measurable student outcomes.
• Lead the organization’s communications and marketing strategy to elevate CISNC’s brand and impact across North Carolina.
• Oversee external communications, storytelling, media relations, and digital presence.
• Develop campaigns that engage stakeholders and amplify the organization’s mission and outcomes.

Relationship and Partnership Development

• Build and steward relationships with key partners including business leaders, philanthropy, community organizations, and education stakeholders.
• Support the engagement of board members and partners in fundraising and outreach efforts.
• Serve as an ambassador for CISNC, representing the organization in external forums and events.

Team and Operations Leadership

• Oversee external Relations staff and consultants responsible for communications, development, marketing, and donor engagement.
• Ensure strong systems for prospect research, donor stewardship, and database management.
• Establish metrics to measure effectiveness of fundraising and communications efforts.

Core Competencies:

• Student-Centered
• Integrity and Accountability
• Collaboration
• Impact-Driven Excellence
• Respect

Job Specific Competencies:

• Effective Professional Communication
• Fundraising
• Collaboration
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Decision Making and Judgement
• Interpersonal Skills
• Planning and Organizing
• Project Management
• Relationship Building
• Researching Information
• Strategic Vision
• Creative and Innovative Thinking

Required Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred. Candidates with significant senior leadership experience and a demonstrated portfolio of strategic relationships, philanthropic partnerships, and executive-level engagement may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• 8–10+ years of leadership experience in fundraising, communications, marketing, external Relations, or related fields.
• Proven track record of securing philanthropic investments and building strong donor relationships, including experience with major gifts, corporate partnerships, and foundation funding.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic communications or public relations initiatives, including media campaigns or public awareness efforts that resulted in measurable outcomes such as increased visibility, engagement, or philanthropic investment.
• Established network of relationships with senior leaders across philanthropy, business, media, and community organizations, with the ability to leverage those connections to advance organizational goals.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working in nonprofit, education, community-based, corporate, or cross-sector environments is strongly valued.
• Commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools and improving outcomes for students.
• Must be able to see, hear and move about the office.
• Must be able to lift 20 lbs.
• Must be willing to travel up to 10%

NOTE: The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work.

Learn more at www.cisnc.org, and stay connected with CISNC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Perks:

We offer outstanding benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-term disability and 403(b) match and MORE!!! We offer paid vacation, wellness time and holidays. Our team is friendly, fun and collaborative.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law (referred to as "protected status"). This nondiscrimination policy extends to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment as well as the use of all company facilities, participation in all company-sponsored activities, and all employment actions such as promotions, compensation, benefits and termination of employment.