Position Responsibilities
At SAS, the partnership between school and family is not a program — it is a fundamental philosophy. The Associate Director of Parent Engagement sits at the heart of that philosophy, translating it into the everyday experiences of our parent community. As an integral member of the Communications Team, the Associate Director owns the full arc of parent engagement: designing programs that draw families meaningfully into school life, building and sustaining two-way communication channels that make parents feel genuinely heard, and championing the volunteer structures that turn interest into impact. This is not a coordinating role; it is a leadership position, requiring the ability to set direction, exercise independent judgment, and move initiatives from concept to execution.
The work requires someone who can hold complexity with confidence. Parent communities are diverse, expectations often diverge, and the most important conversations are rarely straightforward. The Associate Director must navigate these dynamics with discretion, cultural sensitivity, and a deep familiarity with how SAS operates: its programs, rhythms, and the community it serves. Success in this role is a parent community that feels connected, valued, and engaged as real partners, not just an audience.
Responsibilities:
Lead the strategic vision and execution of parent engagement across the school community, including designing and facilitating advisory groups, task forces, and parent education programs that deepen understanding of and alignment with the school's mission.
Serve as a senior liaison between school leadership and parent volunteer organizations, providing strategic counsel and ensuring volunteer efforts are structured, purposeful, and aligned with institutional priorities.
Architect and own the new family onboarding experience, developing a comprehensive, scalable module that establishes cultural expectations and sets the foundation for long-term family engagement.
Design and steward a tiered parent engagement framework that intentionally creates meaningful entry points for families across the full spectrum of involvement — from passive to deeply active.
Lead campus leader meetings involving parents, setting agendas that drive substantive dialogue and modeling the standard for authentic, productive communication between the school and parent leadership.
Cultivate high-trust relationships across the parent community in support of the school's broader development goals, serving as a visible and credible presence among family stakeholders.
Advise the Director of Communications on strategic and emergent issues affecting the parent-school relationship, developing reporting tools and trend analysis that inform institutional decision-making.
Provide leadership, direction, and professional support to the Boosters, PTA, and Community Ambassadors, fostering a positive, productive team culture.
Develop and present data-informed engagement strategies and recommendations, translating community insight into actionable proposals.
Perform other duties as determined by the Director of Communications.
Position Requirements & Qualifications
Desired Qualifications:
Minimum of bachelor's degree required.
10+ years of experience working in a large complex environment, preferably with a portion of that experience in education
Understanding of the PS-12 American curriculum and the challenges faced by international schools is a plus
Demonstrate a deep commitment to the SAS Vision, Mission, Strategic Anchors, and Desired Student Learning Outcomes.
Exceptional communication skills, values-driven judgment and adaptability.
Experience in customer relations, public relations, or related field preferred.
Chinese and/or additional languages are a plus.
Experience working in a competitive environment and a track record of success.
Exceptional writing skills with the ability to write for a variety of audiences and contexts.
Experience in a multicultural, high performance, educational environment.
Excellent interpersonal and small group presentation and facilitation skills.
Experience with the creation and implementation of complex initiatives.
Working knowledge of policies, procedures, and operations at SAS is a benefit.
Strong leadership skills, demonstrating the ability to motivate, engage and influence stakeholders, without direct authority.
High competence in current systems and technology.
Ability to:
Flexible availability to work nights, weekends, and during school vacations.
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