Director of Community Engagement, Alpha - $200,000/year USD

LOCATION NOTE: This is an on-site position based in the cities listed below, requiring local travel. Candidates with confirmed relocation plans and timelines may qualify for relocation assistance. You excel in high-intensity startup environments. You have demonstrated success serving high-net-worth clients who demand exceptional, personalized service. You are convinced that AI has the potential to transform education and are prepared to articulate that conviction to doubters. If these conditions feel challenging, this position is not the right fit. Alpha operates as a technology startup, not a conventional school. Our mission is to prove every child possesses exceptional potential. Students complete their core academic curriculum in two hours daily using AI-driven applications, then dedicate the remainder of their day to practical competencies: public speaking, critical reasoning, collaborative challenges, and meaningful projects. No traditional lectures. No unnecessary assignments. Only accelerated mastery and performance in the top 1% nationally. Parents anticipate concierge-quality service. You will continuously defend this approach against concerns about screen exposure, skepticism from traditional education advocates, and doubt from those who find the outcomes implausible. During the initial zero-to-one phase, this functions as an enrollment sales position. You are accountable for the complete pipeline from initial inquiry through executed enrollment contracts, including conversion metrics and CRM oversight. Campus launch requires a minimum of 25 enrolled students. Meeting that threshold is your responsibility. You will deliver compelling information sessions, facilitate individual campus tours, maintain persistent follow-up, and finalize agreements. After securing 25 students and onboarding an admissions director, your role transitions to serving as the campus's lead parent relations executive. You will cultivate loyalty, address concerns with exceptional service standards, and convert satisfied families into vocal advocates who drive organic growth. This position carries significant trust and autonomy with transparent expectations. You will operate independently without substantial administrative infrastructure, marketing resources, or established protocols. Strategic direction evolves based on performance data. Systems are still forming. You will create them. The majority of your working hours will occur outside the physical campus (coffee meetings, networking lunches, Chamber of Commerce participation) rather than in an office setting. Your presence during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal is expected. Evening parent programming and periodic weekend student events are part of the role. A single poorly-matched family within a cohort of 25 can compromise the entire community, making the ability to decline unsuitable families as critical as enrolling appropriate ones. The opportunity? You will observe educational transformations rarely witnessed: skeptical parents evolving into passionate advocates, reserved students presenting with confidence to adult audiences, families selecting your campus over prestigious independent schools. You will build a new institution from the ground up and take ownership of outcomes. If you believe traditional schooling is inadequately serving children and a superior model exists, this is your opportunity to demonstrate it. HIRING FOR THESE LOCATIONS: CA: Santa Barbara, Palo Alto, & Piedmont (East Bay) GA: Roswell (Atlanta) IL: Chicago MD: Bethesda TX: Austin & Brownsville VA: Chantilly WA: Kirkland (Seattle) What You Will Be Doing Take full ownership of the enrollment sales pipeline during the zero-to-one phase, managing from inquiry through signed contracts with defined conversion goals and CRM discipline until the 25-student threshold is achieved Facilitate information sessions and campus visits that convert interested parents while strategically declining families who are not the right match (the ability to say "no" is equally important as enrollment) Function as the principal point of contact for affluent families investing $40K+ annually, delivering concierge-level service that transforms parents into vocal supporters Establish community presence through consistent on-campus availability during morning arrival (7-9am) and afternoon dismissal (2-4pm), while dedicating most working hours to external relationship-building through coffee meetings, networking activities, and community alliances Advocate for Alpha's AI-driven educational model when engaging skeptical parents concerned about screen exposure and unconventional teaching methods Mobilize parent champions by creating outstanding experiences that inspire families to actively recruit their peers What You Won’t Be Doing Maintaining standard 9-5 business hours (early morning, late afternoon, and evening commitments are integral to the role) Implementing pre-existing systems and documented procedures (you will build operational frameworks within a startup context) Depending on administrative personnel, marketing departments, or enrollment coordinators (you operate as a solo contributor) Enrolling every applicant family (selective admissions is a fundamental capability) Operating from a desk environment (this position demands daily community engagement and relationship development) Director Of Community Engagement Key Responsibilities Lead enrollment sales during the zero-to-one phase, then transition to developing parent relationships that generate advocates and fuel word-of-mouth expansion. Basic Requirements Currently live within commuting range of one of these campus locations OR prepared to relocate within 60 days (local community ties are preferred): Santa Barbara, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Piedmont, CA; Roswell, GA; Chicago, IL; Bethesda, MD; Austin, TX; Brownsville, TX; Chantilly, VA; or Kirkland, WA. Authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship requirements 5+ years of experience in a position involving high-net-worth client engagement through consultative sales or premium customer experience delivery (examples include private school admissions/enrollment, luxury retail, high-end hospitality, philanthropic advising, etc.) Proven enrollment/sales funnel performance with quantifiable conversion outcomes you can articulate Executive-level presence and communication capabilities to establish credibility and influence sophisticated purchasing decisions among affluent clientele Entrepreneurial self-direction suited to independent operation within a startup structure Authentic belief in AI-powered education, with capability to defend the approach to skeptical parents questioning screen time and non-traditional methodologies Schedule flexibility for non-standard hours: early mornings (7-9am), late afternoons (2-4pm), evening programming (2-3x/month), and weekend participation Nice-to-have Requirements Outstanding candidates will possess at least one of the following: Established relationships within the local affluent community with active networks Leadership experience in private school or independent school enrollment/admissions with documented success Demonstrated track record in sales, business development, or fundraising with high-value client portfolios Prior experience in startup or early-stage organizations managing ambiguity and accelerated change Background in event design and community programming that creates impactful experiences Professional experience in real estate, development, or major gift fundraising serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals About Alpha Want to join a learning rebellion that’s transforming the traditional classroom? Alpha School is on a mission to reshape education with a bold approach that harnesses AI to accelerate learning and unleash student potential. They don’t play by the old rules. Alpha is creating a new paradigm where students master core academics in just two hours a day, freeing up time for hands-on, passion-driven learning that truly prepares them for the real world. Alpha School is rewriting the rules of education. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. There is so much to cover for this exciting role, and space here is limited. Hit the Apply button if you found this interesting and want to learn more. We look forward to meeting you! Working with us This is a full-time (40 hours per week), long-term position. The position is immediately available and requires entering into an independent contractor agreement with Crossover as a Contractor of Record. The compensation level for this role is $100 USD/hour, which equates to $200,000 USD/year assuming 40 hours per week and 50 weeks per year. The payment period is weekly. Consult www.crossover.com/help-and-faqs for more details on this topic. Crossover Job Code: LJ-5598-US-Bethesda-DirectorofComm

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