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

You excel in the unpredictability of startup environments. You have a track record of serving high‑net‑worth clients with exceptional, personalized attention. You authentically support the idea that AI can transform education and enjoy engaging with those who doubt it. If these elements feel daunting, this position is not the right fit.

Alpha is not a conventional school—it’s a technology startup dedicated to proving every child possesses extraordinary potential. Our students complete foundational academic work in only two hours daily through AI‑driven applications, dedicating remaining hours to essential real‑world competencies: public speaking, critical reasoning, collaborative challenges, and meaningful project work. No traditional lectures. No unnecessary assignments. Only accelerated mastery and performance in the top 1 % nationally. Families anticipate concierge‑quality service. You will regularly defend our approach against concerns about screen exposure, skepticism from traditional education advocates, and doubts that our results can be authentic.

During year zero and year one, this position functions as an enrollment sales role. You control the entire pipeline from initial inquiry through executed enrollment agreements, with defined conversion goals and CRM oversight. Campus launch requires a minimum of 25 enrolled students—achieving that threshold is your responsibility. You will deliver compelling information sessions, guide personalized campus visits, pursue follow‑up with persistence, and secure commitments. After enrolling 25 students and bringing an admissions director onboard, your role evolves into the campus’s chief parent‑facing leader. You will cultivate loyalty, address concerns with white‑glove responsiveness, and convert satisfied families into vocal advocates who drive organic enrollment.

This position offers high trust and autonomy alongside clear accountability. You will operate independently without extensive administrative infrastructure, marketing support, or established operational guides. Strategy adapts based on results. Systems are under construction. You will create them. Most of your time will be spent beyond campus walls—coffee conversations, networking lunches, Chamber of Commerce participation—rather than at a desk. You will maintain visibility during morning arrival and afternoon departure times. Evening parent gatherings and occasional weekend student events are expected. In a cohort of 25 families, one poorly matched enrollment can disrupt the entire community, making selective rejection of unsuitable candidates as critical as securing ideal ones.

Your reward? You will observe transformations rarely seen by educators: doubtful parents evolving into passionate ambassadors, reserved students presenting with poise before adult audiences, families choosing your campus over prestigious private institutions. You will create something meaningful from the ground up and own the outcome.

If you believe traditional schooling fails most children and a superior alternative exists, this is your opportunity to demonstrate it.

HIRING FOR THESE LOCATIONS

• CA: Santa Barbara, Palo Alto, Piedmont (East Bay), & Lake Forest (Orange Co.)
• MD: Bethesda
• TX: Austin, Fort Worth (DFW)
• WA: Kirkland (Seattle)

This is an on‑site position in the cities listed above, requiring local travel. Relocation support is provided for candidates with confirmed relocation plans and defined timelines.

What You Will Be Doing

• Manage the complete enrollment sales process during years 0-1, from initial inquiry through signed agreements, with accountability for conversion targets and CRM administration until 25 students are enrolled
• Conduct information sessions and campus visits that convert interested families while strategically declining misaligned candidates (selectivity is as essential as enrollment)
• Act as the principal point of contact for high‑net‑worth families investing $40K+ per year, delivering white‑glove experiences that transform parents into advocates
• Establish community presence through consistent on‑campus availability during morning arrival (7‑9 am) and afternoon dismissal (2‑4 pm), while dedicating most weekdays to external activities: coffee meetings, networking, and community collaborations
• Advocate for Alpha’s AI‑powered approach when engaging skeptical parents questioning screen time and unconventional educational methods
• Engage parent champions by creating outstanding experiences that inspire families to actively recruit their peers

What You Won’t Be Doing

• Maintaining standard 9‑5 schedules (early mornings, late afternoons, and evening commitments are necessary)
• Executing from predefined playbooks and documented procedures (you will create systems within a startup setting)
• Depending on administrative personnel, marketing departments, or enrollment assistance (you operate independently)
• Enrolling every applicant (strategic selectivity is a fundamental skill)
• Remaining desk‑bound (this role demands daily community engagement and relationship cultivation)

Director Of Community Engagement Key Responsibilities

Drive enrollment sales during year 0-1, then transition to cultivating parent relationships that generate advocates and accelerate word‑of‑mouth expansion.

Basic Requirements

• Currently reside within commuting range of one of these campuses OR willing to relocate within 60 days (preference for candidates with existing local connections): Santa Barbara, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Piedmont, CA; Lake Forest, CA; Bethesda, MD; Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; or Kirkland, WA.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• 5+ years in a position involving work with high‑net‑worth clients in consultative sales or premium customer experience roles (examples: private school enrollment/admissions, luxury sales, hospitality, philanthropy, etc.)
• Proven enrollment/sales funnel achievement with conversion metrics you can articulate
• Executive presence and communication capabilities to build trust and influence sophisticated decision‑making with affluent families
• Entrepreneurial self‑starter mindset comfortable operating independently in a startup context
• Authentic passion for AI‑powered education, with confidence defending the model to skeptical parents questioning screen time and non‑traditional methods
• Flexibility for variable hours: early mornings (7‑9 am), late afternoons (2‑4 pm), evening gatherings (2‑3×/month), and weekend programming

Nice‑to‑have Requirements

Exceptional candidates will have at least one of the items below:

• Established network within the local affluent community with active relationships
• Private school or independent school enrollment/admissions leadership background with documented results
• Sales, business development, or fundraising success with high‑value clients
• Prior startup or early‑stage organization experience managing ambiguity and rapid evolution
• Event planning and community organizing expertise producing impactful experiences
• Real estate, development, or major gift fundraising background engaging with UHNW individuals

About Alpha

Alpha School is on a mission to reshape education with a bold approach that harnesses AI to accelerate learning and unleash student potential.

We 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 for more details on this topic.

Crossover Job Code: LJ-5598-US-PaloAlto-DirectorofComm.009

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