Chief of Community Impact

Chief of Community Impact

Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports: Director of Funding & Strategic Partnerships and Community Outreach Coordinator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Last Updated: December 2025

Position Summary

The Chief of Community Impact (CCI) is a strategic, mission-driven senior leader responsible for shaping how the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County (ELC) shows up in the community across communications, partnerships, outreach, public relations, and impact-driven initiatives. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CCI ensures that all ELC programs, messaging, and community-facing efforts reinforce the organization’s mission, elevate its brand, and meaningfully advance access to high-quality, affordable early education across Sarasota County.

The CCI oversees a high-performing team that includes the Director of Funding & Strategic Partnerships and the Community Outreach Coordinator. This role blends visionary leadership with hands-on execution. It calls for a dynamic communicator, relationship-builder, and systems thinker who thrives in collaborative, community-centered work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Serve as a core member of the executive team, helping shape organizational strategy, priorities, and culture.
• Ensure all ELC programs and initiatives align with mission, brand standards, intentionality, and measurable impact goals.
• Lead innovative, bold solutions to address community-wide early learning challenges, including access, affordability, and workforce stability.
• Act as the organization’s primary brand ambassador by strengthening awareness, trust, and engagement across the community.

Communications, Public Relations & Media Relations

• Oversee all internal and external communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and mission alignment
• Lead ELC’s public relations and media strategies, serving as spokesperson when appropriate
• Oversee development of campaigns, newsletters, annual reports, talking points, presentations, digital storytelling assets and printed materials like brochures
• Guide crisis communication planning and media response when needed

Digital Strategy & Social Media

• Direct the overall digital communications strategy, including social media presence, messaging, online engagement, website, and digital brand voice
• Supervise the creation of content, graphics, and videos that showcase ELC programs, impact, and storytelling
• Ensure all platforms reflect current standards, trends, and analytics-driven improvements

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Serve as a connector between ELC programs and the broader community including families, early learning providers, funders, businesses, civic groups, volunteers, and partner organizations
• Maintain and deepen community relationships that amplify ELC’s mission and strengthen collaborative impact
• Co-lead the Childcare Business Task Force; ensure all initiatives align with ELC’s goals, strategies, and program priorities
• Represent ELC at community events, speaking engagements, coalitions, and partner meetings

Program Alignment & Cross-Department Collaboration

• Collaborate with Program leadership to ensure outreach, messaging, and partnership strategies support program goals and enrollment targets
• Track and communicate progress toward measurable outcomes, support storytelling through data and narrative
• Infuse a community lens into all programs to ensure accessibility and relevance

Team Leadership & Management

• Supervise, mentor, and support:

Director of Funding & Strategic Partnerships (grants, funder relationships, partnership development) and Community Outreach Coordinator (social media content, graphic design, event support, in-person outreach)

• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, accountability, and professional growth

Events, Volunteers & Outreach

• Oversee ELC-hosted events (non-fundraising) such as Storybook Street, Business Breakfast, Early Educator Conference, town hall meetings, resource fairs, and family events
• Lead or oversee general volunteer recruitment, coordination, and community participation efforts
• Ensure outreach events elevate awareness, strengthen connections, and create positive family experiences

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred (communications, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field)

Experience

• 7 years progressive experience in communications, community engagement, nonprofit leadership, public relations, or related fields.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to motivate teams, build relationships, and manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; strong storytelling and public speaking abilities.
• Experience managing media, digital platforms, and brand strategy.
• Demonstrated success building community partnerships and leading collaborative initiatives.
• Understanding of early childhood education, workforce issues, or human services preferred (but not required).

Other Requirements: Valid Florida driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to pass a Level II background screening.

Work Environment

• Work location varies based on the needs of the agency and may include a combination of office, community, and hybrid settings.
• Occasional travel within Sarasota County for community events, meetings, trainings, or evening/weekend activities.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds for event materials.

Interested applicants, please send cover letter and resume to: careers@elcsarasota.org

Disclaimer: This job description is not all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Management reserves the right to modify or update job duties and responsibilities as necessary.