Principal, Organizational Health

In 2020, 11.6 million children in the U.S—16% of all children nationwide—lived in poverty, and those children were disproportionately children of color. Students living in poverty often have physical and mental health, social-emotional, cognitive, and identity development needs that schools are not equipped to support. Rooted in community for more than 45 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable.

CIS Co-Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that transform children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children.”

Bill Milliken’s vision is alive through a strong network of trained CIS staff embedded in schools nationwide building support and relationships inside schools. Today, CIS serves more than 3,500 schools, the overwhelming majority are Title I-eligible schools across two channels: (1) independent affiliates and (2) licensed partnerships. Grounded in the power of transformative relationships to unlock a young person’s potential, CIS has a national, research-based history of delivering local results that support improved student relationships with adults, better-quality relationships with peers, and increased engagement and sense of belonging.

These outcomes lead to improved attendance, improved academic success, and improved on-time high school graduation rates.

Communities In Schools (CIS) is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates 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. We are the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do.

Within the national office, we foster a culture inspired by our mission, our values of integrity, accountability, equity, collaboration, and excellence, and a commitment to Equity, and Inclusion. Our culture is centered on three core tenants:

• We acknowledge contributions and perspectives.
• We collaborate across roles and departments.
• We honor a whole-person approach and encourage balance.

We aim to create a psychologically safe environment where relationships matter, and mutual respect is paramount.

Under the direction of the Sr. Director, Organizational Health, the Principal of Organizational Health & Performance strengthens organizational capacity and develops network leadership across an assigned region of affiliates. Serving as thought partner, coach, resource activator, and connector, this position is essential to building healthy, high-performing organizations. The overarching goal is to cultivate strong leadership and sustainable organizational practices that drive long-term impact for schools and students, while enhancing connectivity and alignment between the national office and the network.

• Provide strategic coaching and thought partnership to local affiliate leadership, focusing on executive development, organizational transitions, crisis/emergency support, and sustainable practices.
• Conduct regular organizational health and/or leadership assessments and check-ins to identify growth opportunities and network needs.
• Deliver customized training and capacity-building support to enhance organizational health, sustainability, and long-term impact.
• Serve as the point of…