About Ascend

Ascend is a network of high-performing public charter schools serving students across Brooklyn. Our mission is to ensure that all students—regardless of background—have access to an education that empowers them to unlock their full potential, achieve academic excellence, and pursue a future of boundless opportunity. We cultivate rigorous learning environments where students develop critical thinking skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

At Ascend, educational equity is a driving force. We are committed to closing the achievement gap by delivering high-quality instruction, fostering a culture of high expectations, and equipping every student with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in college and beyond. Through this unwavering commitment, we prepare students not only to succeed academically but to seize every opportunity that lies ahead.

About the Role

Ascend is seeking a thoughtful, strategic, and relationship-driven Senior Manager of Family Experience to deepen and strengthen our partnership with families across the network. Reporting to the Managing Director of Student Experience, this leader will drive initiatives that foster trust, enhance communication, and build inclusive, responsive systems that make every family feel informed, respected, and valued as essential partners in their child’s educational journey.

The Senior Manager will collaborate closely with school-based teams and network leaders to cultivate a family experience that is fully aligned with Ascend’s core values and student experience vision. Central to this work is ensuring that families are not only welcomed into our community but are equipped and empowered to support their children’s academic growth, social development, and long-term success. Through strong systems, strategic initiatives, and school partnerships, the Senior Manager of Family Experience will ensure that families across the Ascend network feel welcomed, informed, and actively engaged in their child’s education. Their work will deepen family trust, support student success, and help schools build stronger community ties.

This is a key leadership role for a mission-driven individual who understands that strong family partnerships are foundational to educational equity and who can design and implement systems that honor the diverse voices and needs of the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

The Senior Manager of Family Experience will lead network-level initiatives focused on family relationships and communication, ensuring that every family feels connected to their child’s school and confident in the support they receive. This role requires strong leadership, project management, and the ability to work across teams to drive aligned, high-impact efforts.

Family Engagement Strategy & Implementation

• Support the development and execution of a network-wide vision for family engagement that is inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with Ascend’s student experience goals
• Design and lead family engagement initiatives and events that promote belonging, partnership, and two-way communication between families and schools
• Develop and maintain toolkits, resources, and systems for school-based staff to ensure consistent and high-quality family engagement practices across the network

Communication & Relationship-Building

• Partner with school leaders and deans to strengthen school-home communication systems and routines
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure timely, clear, and accessible communication to families, including newsletters, translations, and urgent updates
• Design systems to gather family input and feedback through surveys, focus groups, and listening sessions, and use insights to inform decision-making

Training & Support

• Lead professional development and coaching opportunities for school staff on family engagement best practices
• Support the rollout of tools or platforms that improve the family experience, such as communication applications or event management systems
• Serve as a thought partner to school teams on resolving family concerns and strengthening trust

Data & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor data on family satisfaction, communication touchpoints, and participation in family events
• Use qualitative and quantitative insights to identify trends and recommend improvements
• Share learnings and elevate family voices to inform broader student experience strategy

Staff and Reporting Relationships

The Senior Manager of Family Experience reports to the Managing Director of Student Experience and collaborates closely with school leaders, culture and operations teams, and the network Communications team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 4+ years of relevant experience in family engagement, communications, education, or community-based work
• Experience working in or with schools strongly preferred

Skills and Traits

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, especially across lines of difference
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Deep belief in the power of partnership between families and schools
• Cultural responsiveness and the ability to center family voice in design and decision-making
• Comfort with data analysis and using feedback to drive improvement
• Bilingual or multilingual skills a plus

Compensation

Initial salary offers for this position range from $80,000 - $105,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.

This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits

Location & Work Arrangement

Based in our Brooklyn, NY office

Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per week.

Ascend is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist community through its hiring practices and focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into their approach to educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. Ascend Charter Schools welcomes all applicants who share their mission and vision.