Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Chief People & Equity Officer, the Managing Director of Community Impact is a mission-driven senior leader with deep experience in community impact and advocacy and a strong track record of building partnerships that advance equity for historically underserved families and communities. The ideal candidate brings together clear strategic vision, precise execution, and excellent people management skills. A skilled relationship-builder and communicator, the Managing Director of Community Impact authentically engages families, community partners, and senior leaders while representing DREAM in public, policy, and community-based spaces. Above all, they are deeply aligned with DREAM’s mission and believe in the power of families as partners and leaders in achieving lasting change.
Community Impact, Partnerships, and Advocacy
Create and lead DREAM’s organizational advocacy and community engagement vision and strategy, aligning policy, partnerships, and family engagement to drive results and advance equitable outcomes for students and families;
Serve as a senior leader shaping DREAM’s external engagement, representing the organization in public, policy, and community-based spaces;
Build, manage, and scale a high-impact portfolio of community partnerships that address family needs across basic necessities, workforce development, healthcare access, and civic participation;
Manage relationships with partner advocacy organizations, elected officials, and key stakeholders in education policy;
Monitor and analyze education policy developments at local, state, and national levels;
Represent DREAM at external events and in coalitions focused on education policy and advocacy;
Set and maintain the vision for systems and supports that ensure all families can access stable basic needs, including food, housing, and other essential resources;
Design and lead strategies that support families in securing family-sustaining wages, pursuing career pathways with opportunities for long-term advancement, obtaining health insurance, and regularly utilizing primary care and preventative health services;
Design and lead strategies that support families in reducing chronic absenteeism and help students to thrive at school, ensuring families are equipped and supported to act as allies with their children and with DREAM in achieving the organization’s graduate vision;
Advance civic engagement by supporting eligible families to register and vote, and by empowering families to engage as advocates and leaders within their communities;
Foster strong, trust-based relationships across the DREAM community, including families, school leaders, staff, policy-makers, and external partners.
Team Leadership
Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership of the Community Impact Team (across both Advocacy and Family Services functional areas) ensuring clarity of vision, priorities, roles, and accountability across all workstreams for 6+ direct and skip-level reports;
Collaborate with executive leadership, school leadership and cross-functional teams to integrate community impact priorities into DREAM’s broader strategic and operational goals;
Establish metrics, monitor outcomes, and use data to assess impact, drive continuous improvement, and inform strategic decision-making;
Lead, develop, and manage staff and/or consultants supporting community impact and advocacy efforts.
Other responsibilities related to the running of the organization as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in public policy, education, social work, public health, or a related field strongly preferred;
8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in community impact, advocacy, social services, education, or a related field, including experience managing complex initiatives;
4+ years of experience leading and managing teams;
Bilingual fluency (Spanish/English), preferred;
Demonstrated experience developing and executing organizational advocacy or policy strategies at the local, state, or national level;
Adaptive & inspirational leader; able to effectively influence and engage various stakeholders;
Proven success building and sustaining cross-sector partnerships that lead to strong outcomes, including nonprofit, government, healthcare, and workforce development partners;
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to set detailed vision and direction across large, complex sets of work;
Strong understanding of issues impacting historically underserved communities, including economic mobility, housing stability, healthcare access, and civic engagement;
Exceptional relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage families, community leaders, organizational partners, and senior executives;
Experience using data and outcomes to drive strategy, accountability, and continuous improvement;
Deep commitment to DREAM’s mission, values, and graduate vision, with a strong belief in the power of families as partners and leaders.
Ability to operate with strategic vision while also ensuring strong execution and follow-through in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
This role is part of the NEST Team, which currently works 3 days in the office and up to 2 days remote, per week (subject to change).
- We offer comprehensive benefits including:
- Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
- The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
- Dental and vision plans;
- Disability benefits;
- Life insurance;
- Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
- Flexible spending account options;
- Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
- Fitness and entertainment discounts;
- A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
- Referral, performance, and tenure milestones bonuses;
- Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
- Tuition reimbursement support;
- Access to a professional development fund;
- All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays.
- Benefits are subject to change.
- DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience. The incoming annual salary range for this position is $170,000 to $190,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All regular employees receive annual compensation increases and have the opportunity to earn both performance- and tenure-based bonuses. Because we value tenure in each role, our salary ranges are not capped.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.
From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.
Come dream with us.
DREAM Maxims
All Kids Can. This Kid Can.
DREAM is Family.
Fun is a Serious Value.
Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.
Fail. Persist. Exceed.
DREAM Big.
Applying to DREAM
We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!
DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.
If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
