DescriptionStrategy Manager and Lead Organizer
Reports to Job Role: Senior Director, Community Change Partnerships
FLSA: Exempt
Role: Management
Location: Reston and/or Herndon, VA
Descriptive Summary
The Strategy Manager and Lead Organizer for the Opportunity Neighborhood (ON) initiative is a key leadership role
responsible for advancing the mission of ON: to unite residents, organizations, and stakeholders in creating equitable,
community-driven pathways for children and families to thrive—from cradle to career. This hybrid role integrates
strategic planning and coordination with on-the-ground organizing and engagement, ensuring consistent
implementation of community-informed strategies and alignment with ON’s five core pillars: strong academic
foundation, family stability, community connection, equity, and resident leadership.
The Strategy Manager leads the implementation and oversight of ON strategies, supervises organizing staff, and
supports direct outreach and community activation. The role serves as both a planner and practitioner, developing
neighborhood-level partnerships, building resident leadership, and aligning collaborative efforts to elevate resident
voice and drive systems-level change.
QualificationsKey Responsibilities
Strategy & Planning
- Lead strategic planning, coordination, and day-to-day administration of ON Reston and Herndon initiatives.
- Develop and manage annual ON work plans, aligning efforts across partners, Cornerstones teams, and community leaders.
- Represent ON at county-wide ON Management Team meetings; compile and submit program reports to stakeholders, funders, and Governance Teams.
- Lead cross-training efforts for Cornerstones and ON program staff in the ON model and its five strategic focus areas.
- Analyze data from outreach, engagement, and resident feedback to inform strategy; collaborate on monthly and quarterly internal/external reporting.
- Identify and address service gaps and implementation challenges with comprehensive, collaborative solutions.
Community Organizing & Engagement
- Build authentic, trusting relationships with residents, resident leaders, school and county staff, nonprofits, and other stakeholders.
- Facilitate community-based outreach efforts, including door-to-door canvassing, focus groups, and listening sessions to assess needs and surface solutions.
- Coordinate and co-lead neighborhood events, leadership development activities, and culturally relevant community gatherings.
- Provide support for resident-led initiatives, including the Neighborhood Ambassador Program and organizing resident volunteers for outreach or advocacy campaigns.
- Co-develop and update outreach strategies to align with evolving community priorities.
- Maintain visibility and consistent presence in target communities to foster engagement and participation.
Communications & Partnerships
- Manage ON communications strategy including flyers, brochures, social media, web content, and press engagement in coordination with Cornerstones’ Communications team.
- Serve as liaison between ON teams and Cornerstones’ internal departments (Development, Community Care,etc.).
- Collaborate with the Development Team to seek and prepare proposals for new grants or funding opportunities to expand ON services.
- Maintain and grow the database of ON partners, community stakeholders, and collaborators to support communication, follow-up, and data tracking.
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise and mentor ON Community Organizers and other team members, interns, and volunteers.
- Facilitate regular team meetings to share updates, build capacity, address challenges, and align efforts.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training of new ON team members.
- Support the execution of internal team planning and tracking systems.
Event & Logistics Support
- Coordinate and participate in ON events and activities; assist in logistics, setup, materials distribution, and onsite presence.
- Attend evening or weekend events as needed; lift and carry materials up to 50 pounds when required.
- Ensure timely entry and maintenance of event calendars and ON data systems.
Core Competencies
- Leadership & Team Building: Ability to inspire and manage cross-functional teams and community-based collaborations.
- Community Organizing: Grounded in participatory methods and equitable engagement practices with diverse, low-income populations.
- Strategic Thinking: Able to align day-to-day actions with long-term goals and adapt strategy in response to emerging data and community input.
- Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills, including facilitation, public speaking, and multilingual capacity (preferred).
- Cultural Competency: Respect for diverse backgrounds, languages, perspectives, and experiences.
- Data-Informed Practice: Capable of using data systems and tools for reporting, planning, and strategy refinement.
- Partnership Development: Adept at fostering meaningful collaboration with nonprofits, government entities, and local leaders.
Qualifications
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, community development, public administration, or related field.
- CPR and First Aid certified (or willing to obtain).
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (or other prevalent languages in the target community) preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in community organizing, program strategy, or multi-agency collaboration.
- Demonstrated leadership experience supervising teams or volunteers in a community engagement or human services context.
- Track record in facilitating community partnerships and resident empowerment to achieve equitable outcomes.
Additional Expectations
- Must be flexible to work evenings and weekends as community events or outreach requires.
- Must pass background checks per U.S. Department of Justice and Virginia Child Protective Services.
- Must have access to reliable transportation for community-based work across Herndon and Reston.
Success Indicators
- Measurable increases in resident engagement, partner collaboration, and number of individuals served.
- Timely and accurate completion of reporting, communications, and planning deliverables.
- Clear systems in place for staff training, outreach coordination, and community input integration.
- Tangible contributions to funding sustainability and strategic growth of the ON initiative.
Work Environment
This position is performed in a traditional office environment but requires significant community outreach in other
locations.
