Chief External Affairs Officer
Memphis, TN
Network – Executive /
Full-time /
On-site
ABOUT US
Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a K-12 charter school in Memphis, TN. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades K-12 to excel in college and in life. Freedom Preparatory Academy opened in August of 2009 with a class of 96 6th graders. We now serve over 2,100 students in grades PreK-12. Our students have exceeded local and state averages in math and local averages in English language arts on the state exam.
We have three core beliefs that drive our mission:
1. Every child deserves the right to a high quality public education
2. A foundation in character development is essential
3. Direct exposure to an array of opportunities and experiences provides each child with the self-confidence and social knowledge to compete globally.
We will accomplish our mission through a highly structured, academically rigorous environment where students will master the core subjects, develop advanced academic skills, and demonstrate the school’s core values of: Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief of External Affairs (CXO) will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will directly oversee four functions, including the teams responsible for advocacy and community engagement; marketing, communications and branding; and development and fundraising. The CXO will have a critical voice in continuing to build Freedom Prep’s brand and impact in Memphis and expansion sites in the South, provide clear, actionable thought leadership around our external relations and advancement strategies, and oversee successful implementation of these critical aspects of our work. The CXO will be a key leader within the senior leadership team in executing on the current strategic plan and established goals. In partnership with the CEO and alongside an engaged and active board, the Chief of External Affairs will drive the overall external relations strategy for Freedom Prep Charter Schools. They will play a critical role in amplifying and guiding the overall branding and messaging for the organization, and will proactively build strong relationships with the community, elected officials, media outlets, and peer organizations. This leader will have the capability to successfully navigate Tennessee and Alabama’s political and cultural nuances, and will have a sophisticated ability to plan proactively for long-term success. In addition, this leader will ensure the development program builds its capacity to support the organization’s strategic objectives.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Management and Leadership
• Manage direct reports who are responsible for community engagement, advocacy, communications, marketing, and development; providing leadership for the vision, goals and strategy for key organizational priorities and areas of focus, establishing clear expectations, promoting rigorous use of data and fostering a culture of accountability
• Hold high standards for project management while empowering others to proactively and creatively problem-solve, and model versatility and collaboration for the organization
• Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team
Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Partnerships
• Manage the Advocacy and Community Engagement team, driving all elements of the work to envision, create, build, implement, and execute Freedom Prep Charter Schools’ efforts to extend impact beyond the walls of its schools
• Expand Freedom Prep’s voice, influence and impact on key issues facing the communities we serve
• Lead and enthusiastically build relationships with Tennessee (Memphis) and Alabama (Birmingham & Montgomery) major stakeholders and constituencies, including the media, community groups, elected officials, community leaders and other influencers
• Identify opportunities and develop ways to strategically maximize collaboration and coordination with external partners
• Represent Freedom Prep’s community and the broader organization as an ambassador, advocate, and partner within public forums and events
• Proactively engage with current and potential Freedom Prep families and communities, as critical advocates and ambassadors for Freedom Prep Charter Schools
• Create and oversee strategy, programs and services aimed towards increased parent and community engagement; and strengthen the partnership among parents, community and schools to improve student academic achievement and school success
• Ensure the success of our long-term partnerships strategy to benefit our students, schools, and alumni
• Oversee corporate engagement strategy and partnerships with youth-serving organizations to support career readiness initiatives, after-school programming, enrichment opportunities, and strong community ties
• Identify and anticipate internal organizational needs and mobilize third-party partners to even more effectively support our students.
Marketing and Communications
• Provide vision and direction on messaging, talking points, and strategy for all organizational communications, striving to build a Freedom Prep Charter Schools brand and ensure its seamless integration throughout the organization
• Provide guidance for tracking, metrics and data integrity to ensure alignment and effectiveness of overall marketing and communications efforts alongside overall Freedom Prep
• Oversee the Director of Marketing and Communications in the development and execution of the overall marketing and communications plan for Freedom Prep Charter Schools, in support of organizational goals to build awareness, engagement and support
• Provide thought partnership and guidance to the CEO in cultivating a meaningful and productive media and external engagement strategy; assess and strategize responses to all incoming media requests, and communicate with relevant media as a spokesperson when appropriate Development
• Leads fundraising strategy to meet annual revenue goals, fulfill growth and capital needs, and build long-term financial sustainability for the organization
• Oversees the Development Manager responsible for stewarding current donors and foundation relations, leading events and event planning, and supervising production of grant reports, prospect reports and other measures
• Lead engagement of the members of the Board’s external efforts, including giving, convening, and outreach to potential community and family advocates, champions and future trustees
• Establishes vision for Freedom Prep Charter Schools engagement with donors, community members, families and other stakeholders, and leads Freedom Prep in representing the organization’s mission to the broader community. Stewards the board of directors and philanthropic investors to secure substantial, long-term financial commitments
QUALIFICATIONS
• Minimum 10 years of work experience with 3 years of supervisory and management experience, preferably in a large, dynamic, mission-driven organization
• Proven management skills in establishing a team- and goal-oriented environment that empowers staff through active communication and delegation and that builds confidence, promotes diversity of thought, and celebrates achievements with an approach to management that leads by example, bringing out the best in staff and yielding pride, ownership, and a sense of team effort
• Experience in fundraising or communications, marketing, and public relations, preferably in a non-profit environment with a fundraising budget of $2.5 - $5 million
• Demonstrated ability to: o Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment o Lead multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously o Exercise excellent judgment in decision-making, think strategically, work collaboratively, and gather and analyze data, compile information, and prepare reports o Motivate, excite, and educate both internal and external resources to support our work in helping our Freedom Prep students prepare and excel in college and in life o Manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
• Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive working relationships with diverse individuals and groups
• Demonstrated commitment to the educational mission, vision, and goals of Freedom Prep
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree strongly preferred
REPORTS TO Chief Executive Officer
$160,000 - $170,000 a year
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION: We are excited that you are inspired or called to learn more about our mission, values, and potential opportunities. We’d encourage you to explore a few additional resources about us, the recent investment for what’s possible, and why you should consider our community as a place for you to become a part of. We are one of the few networks that centers the whole person and their needs to thrive and support themselves and their families in the South.
Check out some of the unique and rare benefits here, including but not limited to:
-Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage
-Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care
-Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning
-Support in obtaining licensure
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.
