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Director Community Engagement Jobs in Reston, VA

Community Engagement Specialist I Location: Bethesda, MD or New York City, NY Reports To: Community ... Serve as the first line of review for incoming comments, mentions, and direct messages, escalating ...

Community Engagement Specialist I Location: Bethesda, MD or New York City, NY Reports To: Community ... Serve as the first line of review for incoming comments, mentions, and direct messages, escalating ...

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Director Community Engagement information

See Reston, VA salary details

$34.4K

$95.5K

$191.3K

How much do director community engagement jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director community engagement in Reston, VA is $95,472.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $114,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of community engagement do?

A Director of Community Engagement leads initiatives to build and strengthen relationships between an organization and its community. This role involves developing outreach programs, coordinating events, and collaborating with local groups, stakeholders, and partners to foster positive engagement. They also assess community needs, gather feedback, and ensure that the organization’s projects align with community interests. Ultimately, their work helps enhance the organization’s reputation and impact within the community.

How does a director of community engagement typically collaborate with other departments to drive organizational goals?

A Director of Community Engagement works closely with departments such as marketing, communications, and program teams to ensure community initiatives align with organizational objectives. This collaboration often involves developing joint outreach strategies, sharing feedback from community stakeholders, and coordinating events or campaigns. Regular cross-departmental meetings and collaborative planning help maximize impact and maintain consistency in messaging. Effective Directors are skilled at building relationships across the organization to leverage resources and expertise for successful community engagement.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of community engagement, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Community Engagement, you need a background in public relations, community development, and strategic planning, often supported by a relevant degree and management experience. Familiarity with CRM systems, social media management tools, and event planning software is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and strong leadership abilities set outstanding candidates apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for building trust, fostering meaningful partnerships, and driving community-focused initiatives that advance organizational goals.

What is the difference between Director Community Engagement vs Community Relations Manager?

AspectDirector Community EngagementCommunity Relations Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees in communications, public relations, or related fieldsBachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or related areas
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, overseeing teams, developing long-term engagement strategiesImplementing community outreach programs, managing relationships, executing campaigns
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, government agencies, large corporationsCorporations, nonprofits, government organizations
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level strategic role, leadership focusOperational, program-focused role

The main difference between a Director Community Engagement and a Community Relations Manager lies in scope and responsibility. The director typically oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the manager focuses on executing community outreach programs. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in leadership level and strategic influence.

What are the most commonly searched types of Community Engagement jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Community Engagement jobs in Reston, VA are:

What job categories do people searching Director Community Engagement jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Community Engagement jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Community Engagement jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Director Community Engagement job openings:

Infographic showing various Director Community Engagement job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,806 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Assistant Director, Community Engagement

American Chemical Society

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

The Assistant Director oversees the Community Engagement team, including strategic planning, budget development, staff leadership, and performance management. Working collaboratively across Membership & Strategic Engagement, Marketing, Education, Meetings, Local Sections, Divisions, and other ACS business units, this role drives initiatives that advance ACS strategic goals and strengthen member loyalty and lifetime value. This position reports directly to the Vice President, Membership & Strategic Engagement and is based in our Washington, D.C. office.
Key Responsibilities
Community Development & Engagement
  • Create and maintain vibrant communities that foster collaboration, peer-to-peer learning, professional networking, and career growth.
  • Develop engagement journeys that connect the community with relevant ACS benefits, programs, and opportunities.
  • Advance inclusive community practices that encourage participation from diverse member segments.
  • Build programs that strengthen community connections and create clear pathways for ongoing engagement with ACS.
  • Design scalable engagement models aligned with the needs of students, early-career professionals, mid-career members, and retired chemists.
  • Develop initiatives that expand the value proposition of ACS membership and deepen member loyalty.
  • Develop and execute engagement strategies that increase membership acquisition, retention, renewal, and member satisfaction

Data Analytics
  • Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to community growth, engagement, retention, volunteer participation, and member satisfaction.
  • Utilize member behavior data and community analytics to optimize engagement strategies and improve outcomes.
  • Develop dashboards and reporting frameworks that demonstrate program impact and return on investment.
  • Conduct audience segmentation and engagement analysis to identify growth opportunities and inform strategic decision-making.
  • Evaluate emerging trends and recommend innovative approaches to increase member value and community participation.

Membership Lifecycle Management
  • Develop strategies that support members through key career and life transitions.
  • Design targeted engagement and retention programs that reduce churn and increase renewal rates.
  • Partner with Membership, Marketing, and Product teams to develop recruitment, onboarding, and re-engagement strategies.
  • Identify and implement interventions for at-risk and disengaged members.
  • Develop programs that convert community participants, event attendees, students, and prospects into active members.

Leadership & Organizational Collaboration
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing community engagement team.
  • Manage departmental budget, operational planning, and resource allocation.
  • Collaborate across ACS business units to align community engagement strategies with organizational priorities.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on community engagement and building, volunteer engagement, and retention strategies.
  • Represent ACS with volunteer leaders, strategic partners, and external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Association Management, Chemistry, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in community engagement, customer success, association management, or related fields, including leadership experience.
  • Demonstrated success driving measurable growth in member/customer engagement, retention, renewals, or acquisition.
  • Experience leading teams, managing budgets, and implementing strategic initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of customer lifecycle management, engagement strategy, and customer/member retention principles.
  • Experience using CRM platforms, engagement analytics tools, and reporting systems.
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to build consensus and influence across a matrixed organization.
  • Strong data analysis skills with ability to derive insights from engagement metrics.
  • Experience with conversion tracking, funnel analysis, and membership attribution models.
  • Knowledge of A/B testing methodologies for optimizing member conversion experiences.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in professional societies, associations or subscription-based businesses.
  • Knowledge of volunteer engagement and governance-driven organizations.
  • Experience developing customer/member loyalty programs and engagement strategies.
  • Familiarity with community platforms, digital engagement tools, and audience segmentation methodologies.
  • Understanding of scientific or technical professional communities.

Success Metrics
Success in this role will be measured by:
  • Growth in member engagement across ACS programs, communities, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Membership acquisition attributable to engagement and community initiatives.
  • Community retention and renewal rate improvements.
  • Member satisfaction and Net Promoter Score (NPS) improvements.
  • Increased member lifetime value and engagement depth.
  • Team effectiveness, program execution, and budget performance.

What We Offer
Work Environment
  • Hybrid work arrangements with flexible scheduling options
  • Collaborative culture focused on member success and community impact
  • Access to innovative community management tools and platforms
  • Opportunities to attend member events and conferences nationwide
  • Direct interaction with engaged, passionate chemistry professionals

Growth Opportunities
  • Pathways for advancement within ACS membership and community teams
  • Leadership development programs and community management certifications
  • Cross-functional collaboration with marketing, content, and program teams
  • Speaking opportunities at conferences and community management events

Cover Letter Required: Along with your application, please submit a cover letter addressing the following two questions. Candidates should provide specific examples and measurable outcomes where possible.
1. Describe a community engagement, membership, or customer success strategy that you led and that resulted in measurable improvements in engagement, retention, renewals, member/customer satisfaction, or acquisition. Please explain your approach, the key metrics used to measure success, and the results achieved.
2. Tell us about a time when you led a team and partnered across multiple departments (such as marketing, product, education, events, customer success, or volunteer leadership) to achieve a significant organizational goal. What was your role, how did you align stakeholders, and what was the outcome?
This role is based in our Washington, DC office. ACS employees work a hybrid schedule, consisting of working onsite two days per work week, as decided by functional area. The balance of the week is open to working remotely, though employees are always welcome onsite each day if they choose.
A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $145,000-$155,000 per year.
ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.
Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.