Operations Specialist - Family & Community Engagement

Heartwood Community School

  • Ridgeland, SC
  • $80,000 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 3 days ago
Operations Specialist - Family Engagement, 25-26 Academic YearFocus Areas: Family Engagement, Event Planning, Student RecruitmentReport: School Operations ManagerWho Are WeHeartwood Community School is a community-focused, tuition-free charter school serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties in South Carolina. We believe in educating the whole child—nurturing each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Honoring every child's unique journey, we bridge home and school to foster a compassionate, empowering environment where students feel seen and valued.Our mission goes beyond academics; we guide students to become resilient problem-solvers, compassionate community builders, globally minded citizens, emotionally intelligent leaders, and lifelong learners. Embracing mistakes as part of growth, we equip students to thrive in school and life—ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.The RoleAt Heartwood Community School, we believe that a strong, engaged community is the foundation of a thriving school. As the Family & Community Engagement Manager, you will be responsible for driving student enrollment, building lasting relationships with families, strengthening community partnerships, and elevating the school's presence through strategic outreach and engagement efforts. This role blends admissions, family engagement, event planning, marketing, and public relations to ensure that Heartwood is a trusted and well-connected institution within the community. This position is ideal for a mission-driven, entrepreneurial individual who thrives in a relationship-focused and dynamic environment.Community Outreach & Partnerships
  • Serve as Heartwood Community School's primary representative at community events, neighborhood meetings, and local gatherings to increase visibility and student recruitment.
  • Build, strengthen, and sustain partnerships with local organizations—including daycare centers, housing authorities, family resource centers, and faith-based institutions—to expand referral networks and community awareness.
  • Design and implement targeted outreach strategies to engage diverse families and historically underrepresented communities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
  • Act as an external ambassador for the school, cultivating meaningful relationships that connect Heartwood to the broader community.
Student Enrollment & Recruitment
  • Develop and execute strategic enrollment initiatives to drive interest, applications, and retention, ensuring full enrollment capacity and an active waitlist.
  • Implement lead-generation and follow-up systems—including phone, email, text, and in-person engagement—to support families through the admissions journey.
  • Provide personalized guidance to families throughout the application and enrollment process, addressing barriers and ensuring a seamless, supportive experience.
  • Monitor and analyze enrollment data and trends to inform and optimize recruitment strategies.
Event Planning & Family Engagement
  • Lead the planning and execution of school and family engagement events—including Open Houses, Orientation Nights, Parent Workshops, and Community Gatherings—that strengthen school-family partnerships.
  • Serve as a trusted point of contact for families, fostering a welcoming environment where all families feel valued, informed, and included.
  • Develop and coordinate family engagement initiatives such as volunteer opportunities, parent advisory groups, and student-support networks.
Marketing, Communications & Public Relations
  • Lead the development and execution of Heartwood's social media strategy, producing compelling content that communicates the school's mission, celebrates student success, and promotes upcoming events.
  • Oversee the school's digital presence—including website management, email campaigns, and outreach materials—to ensure consistent, high-quality branding and messaging.
  • Develop and implement external communication strategies to enhance Heartwood's visibility, reputation, and community impact.
  • Draft and distribute press releases, newsletters, and stakeholder communications to highlight achievements and maintain transparency with the community.
Skills and Characteristics
  • Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect with families from diverse backgrounds.
  • Strong public speaking and presentation abilities to represent the school effectively in community settings.
  • Event planning experience, with a talent for creating meaningful, engaging experiences for families and stakeholders.
  • Strategic marketing and social media expertise, with a keen eye for storytelling and audience engagement.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, able to navigate challenges in admissions, outreach, and engagement with grace and efficiency.
  • Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects at once.
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and leverage data to inform enrollment and engagement strategies.
  • Bilingual (English-Spanish) strongly preferred.
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree preferred, but relevant experience in outreach, marketing, admissions, or community engagement will be strongly considered.
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required to attend off-site events and meetings.
  • Ability to lift 40 lbs., kneel, sit, or stand for extended periods.
Compensation:The salary for this role is $80,000, with eligibility for a relocation package. To uphold our commitment to equitable and fair compensation, we offer a competitive salary and have a no-negotiation policy.We are committed to building a best in class team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.BenefitsWe offer a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to:
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Retirement Plans
Our Commitment:
Heartwood Community School is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Heartwood Community School