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

LOCATION NOTE: · This position requires on-site presence in one of the cities listed below, including local travel when necessary. We provide relocation assistance to candidates with confirmed relocation plans and established timelines. · You excel in fast-paced startup environme ...

Job description

LOCATION NOTE:
This position requires on-site presence in one of the cities listed below, including local travel when necessary. We provide relocation assistance to candidates with confirmed relocation plans and established timelines.

You excel in fast-paced startup environments. You've delivered exceptional service to high-net-worth clients who demand excellence. You're passionate about AI's potential to transform education and enjoy defending that vision to critics. If any of this makes you hesitant, this position won't be a fit.

Alpha rejects the traditional school model. We're a technology startup demonstrating that every student has exceptional potential.

Our students complete core academic work in two hours daily using AI-powered applications, then dedicate the remainder of their day to practical skills: presenting, analytical thinking, collaborative challenges, and meaningful projects.

No traditional lectures. No unnecessary assignments. Simply accelerated learning producing top 1% outcomes nationally. Families expect premium, personalized service. You'll consistently advocate for this approach against concerns about screen exposure, conventional education defenders, and "this seems unrealistic" skepticism.

During year zero and year one, this role functions as enrollment sales. You control the complete pipeline from initial inquiry through signed enrollment contract, including conversion goals and CRM oversight. We won't launch a campus with fewer than 25 enrolled students. Reaching that threshold is your responsibility. You'll deliver compelling information sessions, provide individual campus tours, pursue leads persistently, and secure commitments. After achieving 25 students and bringing an admissions director onboard, your role evolves into the campus's lead parent-facing representative. You'll cultivate loyalty, address concerns with premium service, and convert satisfied families into vocal advocates who actively recruit others.

This position offers significant trust and autonomy with transparent expectations. You'll operate independently without extensive administrative resources, marketing teams, or established procedures. Strategy adjusts based on results. Systems are emerging. You'll create them. You'll spend the majority of your time in the community (coffee conversations, networking lunches, Chamber events) rather than office-bound. You'll be present during morning arrival and afternoon departure. You'll participate in evening family gatherings and occasional weekend student programming. One poorly matched family within a 25-student cohort can disrupt everything, making selective enrollment as critical as growth.

The opportunity? You'll observe transformations rarely seen in education: doubtful parents becoming passionate supporters, reserved students presenting confidently to audiences, families selecting your campus over prestigious private institutions.

You'll create something meaningful from the ground up and control outcomes.

If you believe traditional schools are underserving students and a superior approach exists, this is your opportunity to demonstrate it.

HIRING FOR THESE LOCATIONS:

CA:
Santa Barbara, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Piedmont (East Bay), & Lake Forest (Orange Co.)

MD:
Bethesda


VA:
Chantilly


WA:
Kirkland (Seattle)

What You Will Be Doing

Control the enrollment sales pipeline during year 0-1, from initial inquiry through signed contract, including conversion goals and CRM oversight until achieving 25 students
Lead information sessions and campus visits that convert interested families while strategically declining misaligned applicants (selective enrollment is as critical as growth)
Function as primary liaison for affluent families investing $40K+ annually, delivering premium service that converts parents into advocates
Establish community presence through consistent on-site availability during morning arrival (7-9am) and afternoon departure (2-4pm), plus dedicating most workdays to external activities including coffee meetings, networking, and community partnerships
Advocate for Alpha's AI-powered approach with skeptical families questioning screen exposure and non-traditional education methods
Mobilize parent champions through outstanding experiences that inspire families to recruit within their networks

What You Won't Be Doing

Maintaining standard 9-5 schedules (early mornings, late afternoons, and evening programming are expected)
Implementing pre-built systems and protocols (you'll create processes in a startup context)
Depending on administrative personnel, marketing departments, or enrollment teams (you operate independently)
Enrolling every applicant who shows interest (selective admission is essential)
Working primarily from an office (this position demands daily community engagement and relationship development)

Director Of Community Engagement Key Responsibilities

Control enrollment sales during year 0-1, then transition to developing parent relationships that generate advocates and fuel word-of-mouth expansion.

Basic Requirements

Currently reside within a commuting distance of one of these campuses OR willing to relocate within 60 days (preference for existing local connections): Santa Barbara, CA; Palo Alto, CA; San Francisco, CA; Piedmont, CA; Lake Forest, CA; Bethesda, MD; Chantilly, VA; or Kirkland, WA.

Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
5+ years in a role that involved working with high-net worth clients in a consultative sales or high-touch customer experience role (such as private school enrollment/admissions, luxury sales, hospitality, philanthropy, etc.)
Demonstrated enrollment/sales funnel success with conversion metrics you can discuss
Executive presence and communication skills to earn trust and guide sophisticated decision-making with affluent families
Entrepreneurial self-starter comfortable as a solo operator in a startup environment
Genuine enthusiasm for AI-powered education, with comfort defending the model to skeptical parents who question screen time and non-traditional approaches

Availability for flexible hours:
early mornings (7-9am), late afternoons (2-4pm), evening events (2-3x/month), and weekend activities

Nice-to-have Requirements

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

Established network within the local affluent community with existing relationships
Private school or independent school enrollment/admissions leadership experience with proven results
Sales, business development, or fundraising track record with high-value clients
Previous startup or early-stage company experience navigating ambiguity and rapid change
Event planning and community organizing experience creating memorable experiences
Real estate, development, or major gift fundraising experience working with UHNW 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 for more details on this topic.


Crossover Job Code:
LJ-5598-US-NewYork-DirectorofComm.021