****Please Note: The start date of this position is contingent on the signing of an expansion contract. The estimated start date is Fall 2023.

**** **** Position Overview:

Friends LA is looking for a Chief Family Engagement Officer (CFEO) who will be responsible for a comprehensive strategy and implementation of all 2Gen, family, and community engagement initiatives within and on behalf of the organization's chapter network of # of sites. This position will have responsibility for building awareness, providing education, and leading the strategic direction of 2Gen activities that promote and implement the evidence-based Strengthening Families approach across the organization. These initiatives include direct expansion of family outreach programming, including the Strengthening Families Approach, support for school-based family outreach, coordination of partnerships, and parent leadership and advocacy. The CFEO is the primary liaison for family and community engagement work for the chapter and an ambassador for the organization externally. This role also includes the management of Friends LA's Family Engagement team, which consists of # of caregiver engagement specialists, managers, and assistants. The CFEO director reports to the Executive Director. The CFEO will also frequently engage the Board of Directors under the direction of the ED.

Primary Responsibilities:

In coordination with the ED and executive team, play a key role in the overall development, strategic planning, service delivery, and management of the organization across multiple sites and departments.

The Chief Family Engagement Officer's key responsibilities include the following areas:

• Develop, guide, and monitor the implementation of a comprehensive strategy for family and community engagement initiatives within and on behalf of Friends LA's # of sites.
• Directly supervise 3-6 Caregiver Engagement Specialists across Friends LA's sites, engaging in constant dialogue to ensure that organization's 2Gen strategies reflect the needs of families.
• Take the strategic lead in developing the organization's 2Gen contributions supporting whole family outcomes.
• Manage Friends LA's Family Engagement Team in both team and one-on-one settings to monitor progress toward the achievement of team and individual goals.
• Collaborate with parent leaders, program staff, and community partners to develop and implement family engagement strategies, including individual activities and special events.
• Develop innovative two-generation approaches that address needs identified by families that leverage community partnerships or other funding sources.
• Implement intake and family assessment procedures to identify family strengths and needs related to the family engagement outcomes, including family well-being, parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and the local community, and families as advocates and leaders.
• Develop trainings for the Friends LA program staff in accordance with the 2Gen fidelity framework and ensuring training reflects family needs.
• Collaborate with the Chief Program officer and other colleagues within the organization to implement cross-functional strategies and initiatives.
• Participate in the budget development process and maintain a high level of fiscal responsibility.
• Coordinate with the Chief Program Officer on developing new program ideas and pilot projects related to 2Gen offerings, including integrating successful pilots into the program department.
• Under the advisement of the Board of Directors and in partnership with the ED, Chief Development Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer, implement Friends LA’s new strategic plan and develop and implement new expansion initiatives that reflect the organization’s mission.
• Represent Friends LA and Friends LA’s ED on relevant committees and task forces, as well as at speaking engagements, conference panels, and trainings.
• Monitor emerging needs among key stakeholders such as youth and caregivers, government, philanthropy, and employers.
• Ensure the delivery of qualitative and quantitative goals and outcomes of programs and services.
• Coordinate and analyze the appropriate data to inform the programmatic and operational decision-making process. Use the existing ETO platform to increase Friends LA’s efficiency, transparency, and collaborative efforts among teams.
• Determine staffing plans to achieve family engagement program goals and objectives and participate in hiring decisions for new staff.
• Develop an assessment protocol to determine the feasibility and sustainability of 2Gen offerings and lead to more effective and efficient service delivery.
• Analyze and assess programs based on data collected and implement corrective measures if required.
• Serve as liaison to key government agencies, particularly the Department of Children and Families Services (DCFS) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH), Friends LA’s largest government funder.

Education and Experience Required:

• Master’s degree; Licensed Preferred, from an accredited university with a degree in either Family Studies, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Education, ECE, or closely related field from an accredited institution.
• A proven track record of leading colleagues to achieve significant sustainable service improvements and outstanding results in a diverse environment.
• Awareness of community resources and the ability to cultivate and sustain relationships with these resources.
• Demonstrate experience and commitment to the engagement of children, young people and families in decision making processes.
• Experience of successful strategic and operational resource management, including the evaluation of competing priorities and the application of rigorous monitoring and control arrangements.
• Enthusiasm for helping to plan and manage the anticipated growth of Friends LA across the County, and commitment to developing personal skills and knowledge as appropriate to that growth.
• Passion for Friends LA's mission and purpose and an ability to communicate this passion to others.
• Demonstrated experience managing a high-performing team in a multi-site structure, including professional development and mentorship.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of program planning, organizational structure, budgeting, administrative operations, and strategic partnerships within child welfare or community-based organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and compile complex data for planning and reporting purposes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to represent the organization externally across a wide range of stakeholders and constituencies.
• Ability to speak in front of audiences of all sizes and backgrounds, and present to large groups of stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to find common ground, build consensus and strengthen collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong community awareness and astuteness
• Demonstrate credibility in a senior leadership position working collaboratively to lead and embed a performance management culture which delivers high-quality outcomes for families.

Benefits

Friends LA cares about our employees as whole people. We offer a generous vacation and sick leave policy, quarterly reset days, 12 paid holidays, summer half days, a summer recess the first week of July, and an annual winter recess during the last week of December. Employees are eligible for medical benefits (including vision and dental), 401k retirement plan, EAP, and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Employees can add optional plans, at employee expense, which include medical coverage for dependents, Flexible Spending Accounts, supplemental life insurance, and more.

Friends LA requires COVID-19 vaccines for all employees. As of March 1, 2022, we will be expanding our in-person vaccination requirement to include booster shots. Accommodations or exceptions can be requested for medical or religious reasons.

Friends of the Children – Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices, and to working toward racial equity. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. Friends of the Children – Los Angeles hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.