Vice President of Programs

Working directly in 42 schools across Richmond and Henrico’s East End, Communities In Schools of Richmond (CIS) connects students with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to stay in school and achieve in life.

The Vice President of Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for CIS of Richmond’s school-based programming, ensuring quality, consistency, and effective implementation of the CIS model. This role leads and develops the program team, builds strong school and district partnerships, oversees program operations, and drives continuous improvement.

This is a full-time position with an ideal start date of January 4, 2027. This is an in-person role, based in Richmond, Virginia. The annual salary range is $120,000 - $130,000 along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership & Organizational Development 

• Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team, helping lead CIS as an organization—not simply an individual department.
• Contribute program expertise to organizational planning, growth, and continuous improvement, and help translate strategy into clear priorities and action for the Programs team.
• Lead, supervise, and develop five Program Directors serving schools across Richmond and Henrico, as well as the Community Engagement Manager.
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and measures of success; provide coaching, support, and accountability for performance and results.
• Build a culture of collaboration, trust, accountability, excellence, and care across the Programs team and organization.
• Conduct performance reviews, address performance needs proactively, and support the ongoing professional development of program staff and leaders.

Program Strategy & Operations 

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for programming across 42 partner schools, ensuring high-quality implementation of the CIS model while allowing programs to respond to the unique needs of each school community.
• Oversee the program operations budget in partnership with the Leadership Team and ensure appropriate staffing, resources, systems, and supports are in place.
• In partnership with the Director of Talent Acquisition and Training, remain highly involved in the hiring of Program Directors and Site Coordinators, ensuring strong candidates are identified, selected, and supported through the hiring process.
• Utilize data, evaluation, staff insight, and school feedback to strengthen program design, practice, and outcomes.
• Monitor program performance, identify challenges and opportunities, and ensure timely action to strengthen implementation and impact.

School Partnerships 

• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with principals and school leaders across 42 partner schools, while ensuring Program Directors are the primary points of contact for day-to-day school partnerships.
• Build the capacity of Program Directors to develop, navigate, and sustain strong relationships with school leaders and serve as a resource, thought partner, and organizational link when additional support is needed.
• Develop a strong understanding of the unique priorities, dynamics, and needs of each school community and ensure that insight informs our program strategy and decisions.
• Ensure CIS is responsive to school partner needs while maintaining clear expectations for program quality, consistency, and accountability; step in directly when challenges or opportunities require VP-level engagement.
• Strengthen CIS’s relationships and reputation within partner schools by ensuring consistent, high-quality partnership across the organization.

District Partnerships 

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with district leadership and key staff in Richmond Public Schools and Henrico County Public Schools.
• Serve as a key CIS point of contact with district partners, ensuring strong communication, alignment, and coordination across the organization.
• Develop a strong understanding of district priorities, initiatives, systems, and emerging needs that affect CIS schools, students, and families.
• Represent CIS in district-level conversations and initiatives, identifying opportunities to strengthen the organization's role as a strategic partner within each district.
• Bring district-level insight back to CIS’ Leadership Team to inform program strategy, organizational planning, and decision-making.

Community Partnerships & Collaboration 

• Cultivate relationships with community organizations and youth-serving partners that can provide meaningful resources and opportunities for students and families. ● Identify opportunities to deepen and expand community partnerships that advance CIS’s mission and program goals.
• Represent CIS in community conversations, partnerships, and initiatives that advance the organization’s visibility, relationships, and impact.

Skills & Characteristics 

We are looking for a leader who:

• Builds strong relationships and trust with young people, families, educators, community partners, and diverse stakeholders.
• Leads with clarity, collaboration, coaching, and accountability , creating a culture where people can do their best work.
• Balances strategy and execution , with the organizational and operational skills to move priorities forward.
• Understands schools and communities , particularly the challenges and opportunities facing students and families in urban public schools.
• Brings energy, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to the CIS mission , while contributing as a collaborative organizational leader.

Required Experience & Education: 

We welcome candidates from a range of professional backgrounds who bring the leadership capabilities this role requires:

• Expertise in social work, education, youth development, or a related field is valued.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required; Master’s degree in a related field is strongly preferred.
• Significant experience leading teams, developing people, managing complex partnerships, and collaborating across organizations is highly valued.
• Previous Communities In Schools experience is not required.

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.

If you are interested in applying, please email your resume and cover letter to View email address on click.appcast.io.