Sr. Director, Community Change Partnerships

About the role

The Senior Director, Community Change Partnerships is a senior leadership position responsible for advancing equitable systems change and collective impact strategies in Reston and Herndon through the Opportunity Neighborhood (ON) initiative and resident services at four affordable housing communities. This role leads a cross-functional team of community organizers, service coordinators, resident leaders, and local partners to address racial and social inequities and build thriving, self-determined communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise ON Community Initiative staff, Community Advocates and Program staff delivering onsite services at four affordable housing communities.
• Provide strategic direction, coaching, performance management, and professional development to a high-performing team responsible for collective impact, resident engagement, and service delivery.
• Lead the identification, onboarding, and support of Resident Advocates and Community Ambassadors who contribute to organizing efforts and strengthen resident voice and leadership.
• Direct ON efforts in Reston and Herndon, facilitating governance teams and working groups in implementing the ON shared agenda.
• Use an equity and systems-change lens to align community priorities with Fairfax County’s One Fairfax policy and broader strategies for racial and social equity.
• Coordinate Cornerstones’ internal cross-functional team to align services with community priorities and advance systemic solutions.
• Partner with Fairfax County and regional stakeholders to ensure alignment of ON efforts within broader County and community initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong, reciprocal relationships with residents, schools, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and government agencies.
• Guide community-centered planning, engagement, and decision-making processes, ensuring resident voices shape policies and programs.
• Facilitate leadership development opportunities for youth and adults that elevate local talent, foster civic participation, and sustain change from within.
• Develop and implement comprehensive annual workplans for ON Reston and ON Herndon that reflect shared goals, measurable outcomes, and strategic priorities.
• Oversee data collection, indicator tracking, and evaluation strategies for ON initiatives in coordination with partners and Cornerstones’ internal data teams.
• Produce compelling reports and presentations on ON progress and impact for funders, the community, and public partners.
• Collaborate with the Director of Advocacy and Public Policy to lift up resident-identified priorities, amplify community voice, and advocate for structural change.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to sustain and grow ON and resident engagement work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public administration, community development, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit or community-based settings, with at least 3 years in staff supervision and team leadership roles.
• Deep understanding of collective impact, community organizing, and equitable community engagement in historically disinvested communities.
• Demonstrated success in managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and building coalitions across sectors.
• Strong strategic planning, facilitation, and project management skills.
• Commitment to racial and social equity, with the cultural humility and authenticity to build trust in diverse communities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience using data and community feedback to drive learning and improvement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, collaboration platforms, and data tools.
• Flexibility to work evenings/weekends and travel between sites.
• Reliable transportation required.

Skills

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in community organizing, collective impact, and equitable community engagement, with excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Work Environment

While this position is sometimes performed in a traditional office environment, there are programming aspects that require active “hands-on” participation in the community center, in the surrounding areas of the apartment complex, county partner locations and in outdoor environments.