Director of Community Engagement

Job Details Job Location: Cannon School - Concord, NC 28027 The Director of Community Engagement cultivates and strengthens meaningful relationships between Cannon School and its alumni and families. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer and working closely with the Alumni Board and Parents at Cannon (PAC), the Director of Community Engagement serves as a thoughtful and trusted point of connection for alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, special friends, and other members of the Cannon community. The heart of this role is relationship-building. Through thoughtful, person-to-person outreach; active listening; consistent follow-through; meaningful programs and events; and opportunities for involvement, the Director of Community Engagement helps foster lifelong connection, affinity, advocacy, and philanthropic partnership with Cannon. The successful candidate will bring genuine care and curiosity to relationships, with the ability to listen deeply, understand differing perspectives, and respond with warmth, empathy, discretion, and sound judgment. The Director of Community Engagement helps constituents feel heard, valued, respected, and connected to Cannon and serves as a trusted bridge between alumni and families and School leadership, particularly during periods of change, uncertainty, or differing perspectives. The Director of Community Engagement also contributes to Cannon School's five-year Strategic Vision initiative, "Develop a Community Partnership and Engagement Framework," particularly as it relates to alumni and family relationships. Working with the Chief Advancement Officer and Advancement colleagues, the Director of Community Engagement helps implement strategies that strengthen relationships and build a culture of philanthropy among families, alumni, and community partners while contributing constituent perspectives and insights to the broader direction of the Advancement Office. While the role includes program, event, volunteer, and administrative responsibilities, its primary purpose is to cultivate trust, connection, and lifelong affinity for Cannon. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Alumni & Family Relations Cultivate and maintain meaningful relationships with Cannon alumni, current and former parents, grandparents, special friends, and other members of the Cannon community. Serve as a trusted point of contact for alumni and families, responding to questions and concerns with thoughtfulness, professionalism, and appropriate follow-through. Proactively connect with constituents through person-to-person outreach, demonstrating genuine care and interest in their experiences, perspectives, and connection to Cannon. Listen actively and attentively to constituent questions, concerns, ideas, and experiences, helping individuals feel heard, respected, and valued. Serve as a thoughtful bridge between alumni and families and Cannon's leadership by facilitating communication, sharing constituent perspectives, and helping create opportunities for constructive dialogue and relationship-building. Approach complex or sensitive conversations with empathy, curiosity, discretion, and sound judgment, helping preserve trust and maintain positive relationships even when perspectives differ. Help strengthen continuity and connection among alumni and families during periods of institutional change or transition. Support the transition of current students and families into lifelong members of the Cannon alumni community. Alumni & Family Programs, Events & Volunteers Plan and coordinate alumni and family programs and events that strengthen relationships and foster lifelong connection to Cannon, including Homecoming, Reunions, Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony, Athletic Hall of Fame, Grandparents or Special Friends Day, and other campus and regional alumni and family events. Manage the logistics and execution of assigned programs and events, including timelines, invitations, registration, vendors, communications, volunteers, event materials, and follow-up. Serve as a liaison to the Alumni Board and Parents at Cannon (PAC), supporting effective communication, meetings, volunteer coordination, and leadership transitions. Build positive and trusting relationships with alumni and parent volunteers, helping them feel informed, valued, supported, and connected to Cannon's mission and priorities. Identify meaningful opportunities for alumni and families to contribute through volunteerism, mentorship, advocacy, and participation. Advancement & Strategic Initiatives Partner with the Advancement Team to strengthen constituent relationships and create pathways from connection and participation to advocacy and philanthropic partnership. Support donor and prospect events and other Advancement activities that require thoughtful constituent relations, event planning, and relationship support. Help alumni and families understand the impact of philanthropy and the ways their support strengthens the Cannon experience and advances the School's mission. Contribute to the development and implementation of Cannon's Community Partnership and Engagement Framework, particularly as it relates to alumni and family relationships and opportunities for participation, volunteerism, advocacy, and philanthropy. Bring constituent perspectives, relationship insights, and programmatic knowledge to the Advancement Office's strategic planning and efforts to strengthen Cannon's culture of philanthropy. Help cultivate a network of alumni and family advocates who understand and support Cannon's mission, values, and strategic priorities and who are willing to champion the School within the broader community. Communications & Collaboration Maintain a calendar of alumni and family programs, events, and communications. Partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop timely and thoughtful communications that inform alumni and families about opportunities to connect with and support Cannon. Help share compelling Cannon stories and constituent experiences that strengthen affinity, pride, and connection among alumni and families. Collaborate with colleagues across Cannon—including Advancement, Admission, Arts, Athletics, College Counseling, and the Office of Diversity, Belongingness and Engagement—to support shared institutional priorities while maintaining clear responsibility for alumni and family relations within Advancement. Contribute to strategic enrollment management initiatives by connecting current families and supporting opportunities to welcome and connect prospective families with the Cannon community. Administration & Database Management Maintain accurate and timely records of constituent interactions, event participation, volunteer involvement, and other relevant relationship information in the School's database. Manage role-specific budget line and ensure responsible stewardship of resources. Maintain accurate calendars, contact information, event records, and other administrative information necessary to support effective constituent relations. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Advancement Office and the mission of Cannon School. Qualifications YEARS OF EXPERIENCE 3+ years of relevant professional experience preferred, particularly in alumni relations, family relations, constituent relations, advancement, events, education, nonprofit organizations, or a related field. EDUCATION REQUIRED Bachelor's degree required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to establish trust and maintain meaningful connections with a diverse range of individuals. A thoughtful, person-to-person approach to relationships, with genuine care for others and an ability to listen deeply, understand individual perspectives, and respond with warmth, empathy, and consideration. Demonstrated emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal judgment, with the ability to navigate sensitive or complex conversations thoughtfully and preserve trust when perspectives differ. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally, warmly, authentically, and effectively. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of quality and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to work with a high level of productivity and effectiveness, thoughtfully prioritizing time and resources to focus on the work that matters most while maintaining a sustainable pace and strong follow-through. Reliable, responsive, and collaborative, with the ability to work independently, take initiative, and follow through on commitments. A high level of respect for confidentiality and the ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment in protecting and preserving confidential and sensitive information, relationships, and conversations, while serving as a thoughtful steward of Cannon School's brand, reputation, and public trust. Ability to represent Cannon School with professionalism, warmth, authenticity, enthusiasm, and good judgment in both internal and external settings. Genuine interest in and willingness to embrace the mission, values, and culture of Cannon School and contribute to a community that values connection, generosity, shared purpose, and lifelong relationships. Experience with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, databases, or other event and relationship management platforms preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; familiarity with email marketing, social media, and event management platforms preferred. Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required for alumni, family, Advancement, and community events. #J-18808-Ljbffr