Principal, State Strategy

Arlington, VA • Student Supports • Posted 09/04/2026

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WHO WE ARE 

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 imbedded 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. 

MISSION AND VALUES

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.  

ABOUT THE ROLE

Are you a strategic doer who can align people, plans, and resources to get important work across the finish line?

The Principal, State Strategy, reports to the Sr. Director, Organizational Health and serves as a strategic subject matter expert for Communities In Schools’ state strategy initiatives. This role translates grant and funder requirements into actionable plans and drives consistent execution across multiple state portfolios and leads the design and implementation of systems, processes, tools, and accountability structures that advance strategic priorities and measurable outcomes. 

With a high degree of autonomy, this role manages complex initiatives and external resources, monitors performance, identifies and mitigates risks, and provides strategic counsel to leadership to strengthen execution, drive continuous improvement, and achieve organizational goals.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the implementation of assigned state strategy portfolios

Interpret grant requirements and contractual obligations, translate expectations into implementation plans, establish deliverable timelines and reporting schedules, communicate expectations to stakeholders, monitor completion of required milestones, and ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and contractual requirements.

Manage Implementation Systems & Operations

Design, establish, and continuously improve implementation systems, dashboards, tracking tools, reporting mechanisms, templates, documentation standards, and knowledge management processes that enable consistent execution, strengthen accountability, improve operational effectiveness, and support achievement of network objectives across multiple state portfolios.

Manage implementation budgets and resources

Develop and monitor implementation budgets, forecast resource needs, oversee consultant and contractor procurement and performance, develop scopes of work, monitor expenditures, recommend budget adjustments, and provide leadership with regular updates on financial and resource utilization.

Develop implementation resources and coordinate state strategy convenings

Lead planning and execution of statewide strategy convenings, develop implementation guidance, project plans, milestone trackers, standardized templates, and supporting resources that strengthen state capacity and promote consistent implementation practices.

Monitor organizational performance and support continuous improvement

Develop and facilitate progress review processes, prepare executive-level performance summaries, maintain implementation dashboards, coordinate cross-functional performance discussions, analyze implementation trends, and recommend improvements that strengthen organizational effectiveness and execution.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable differently-abled individuals to perform the essential functions.

Required skills & qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Social Work or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8–10 years of progressive experience in organizational development, network management, nonprofit leadership and management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading complex initiatives; coordinating cross-functional teams; and moving strategies from planning through implementation and measurable results.
• Experience working with affiliate, federated, or distributed organizations, preferably in a national or regional network.
• Experience scaling and sustaining programs focused on integrated student support services and/or federal school improvement initiatives is preferred.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit operations and organizational health, including governance, leadership development, fundraising and sustainability, HR, finance, communications, and performance measurement.
• Ability to coach and support senior leaders and affiliate boards, facilitate learning and training, and strengthen organizational capacity. Familiarity with continuous improvement, change management, or capacity-building frameworks is preferred.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, budgets, consultants, implementation systems, and performance metrics.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear, actionable plans and engage effectively with leaders, funders, state partners, and technical and non-technical audiences.
• Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to navigate complex organizational and network dynamics with diplomacy. 
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment. 
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, belonging, and culturally responsive practices.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 25% may be required including travel in the domestic United States with occasional overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate. 

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.