Who We Are

Chiefs for Change is a bipartisan network of diverse school superintendents and state education chiefs who share a vision for schools that serve all children well. The members are united around a core set of beliefs about what it will take to achieve that vision in communities across the nation. Specifically, members believed that education is a fundamental right and that every child must have:

• A safe and welcoming school.
• Access to an excellent education.
• Fully prepared teachers with the support they need to do their jobs well.
• High-quality instructional materials.
• Reliable and affordable pathways to college and careers.

This network represents the nation’s largest community of practice for education leaders that together include approximately 7 million students, 435,000 teachers, and 14,000 schools. The organization exists to advocate for policies and practices that make a difference, to share and scale promising programs, practices, and initiatives, and to build the pipeline of talented educators ready to lead K-12 systems.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer will bring vision and innovation to this membership organization. The person in this role will drive the strategic direction and foster sustainable connections across a nationwide network of educators and partners committed to the vision in communities across the nation. The CEO will set goals and priorities and work systematically to meet them, oversee the senior team, and ensure that the organization allocates funds effectively in support of the members.

Responsibilities

Setting and Implementing the Organizational Vision and Strategy

• Maintain a relentless focus on innovative K-12 policies and best practices that make a difference for children, ensuring that any proof points are shared in the network and beyond.
• Model thought leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering in a way that establishes Chiefs for Change as the go-to source for information on what works for children.
• Communicate the vision and strategy to inspire and galvanize action across staff, members, future chiefs, and the broader education, civic, and philanthropic communities.
• Translate the strategy into long- and short-term priorities, strategies, and goals, adjusting as needed.
• Act as a bridge between the organization and the members, leading and stewarding organizational strategy, decision-making, and creating trust and transparency.
• Present and promote the organization and its mission, programs, partners, and members in a consistently positive manner, inspiring optimism and hope for the students served by the organization’s members.

Ensuring High-Quality Programming and Member Experiences

• Design effective research based programming that is relevant, builds capacity, and enhances the practices of members and supports targeted needs within the membership
• Foster, promote, and drive a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration amongst the membership
• Manage the strategic design and implementation of diverse programming that ensures a best-in-class member experience
• Implement programs and initiatives to engage members with an effort of continuously improving the member experience
• Administration of a rigorous member selection process that ensures alignment with Chiefs for Change core beliefs

Building Strong Relationships with Transparency and Integrity

• Initiate, cultivate, and extend relationships with the organization’s portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate supporters.
• Lead efforts to generate new philanthropic support, leveraging the Board of Directors and members as needed.
• Leverage quality technical assistance providers so that members receive the support and assistance needed to be successful in their roles.
• Manage strong relationships and partnerships with the Board, particularly the Chair, maintaining regular and ongoing communication with the entire Board, and keeping them informed of all financial, legal, and other public interest matters.
• Serve as the voice of members and as a representative of the sector as a whole when advocating for policies in the best interests of the students, families, and communities they serve.

Leading and Managing a Strong Team

• Coach and develop members of the Senior Leadership Team to be effective in their roles and in the management of their teams and functional areas.
• Engage equitable and inclusive recruiting, hiring, and onboarding practices to find, grow, and keep a diverse team.

Sustaining an Effective Organization

• Provide strategic leadership and hands-on management for all of the administrative and operational functions of the organization in accordance with the mission, vision, and policies.
• Direct resources and manage all financials prudently within budget guidelines and according to current laws and regulations.
• Systematize key functions in the organization to maximize efficiency, enhance program effectiveness, and increase access to necessary information for staff and members.

Competencies and Skills

Extraordinary Influencer, Communicator, and Relationship Builder

• Navigate complex political environments, relationships, and dynamics to challenge ideas and enable thoughtful decisions and positive outcomes for students.
• Aware of the political nature of this work and can develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships in service of the organization’s goals.
• Build positive relationships and coalitions with key education leaders, political officials and other key stakeholders that inspire and drive investment in the organization.
• Communicate purposefully and effectively, tailoring messages for the audience, context, and mode of communication.
• Maintain visibility and presence in the organization, using your voice to change public opinion and convince others to take action in the face of political tension, conflict, or controversy.

Strategic Planning and Effective Execution

• Envision the possibilities that others may not see and offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
• Analyze complex, nuanced data and information from multiple angles and exercise judgment in making critical decisions and communicate the implications to diverse audiences.
• Exhibit a strong focus on short and long-term goals, accountability, and results; establish clear metrics for success.
• Monitor progress and demonstrate persistence to overcome obstacles to achieve goals.

Champion for Equity

• Demonstrate unwavering commitment and belief that students can achieve at the highest levels.
• Build trust and authentic relationships across lines of difference through self-reflection, self-awareness, openness, vulnerability, empathy, and a clear sense of personal identity.
• Acknowledge race and power dynamics that play out within the organization, school systems and community and continuously interrupt those inequities with action, courageous dialogue, and honesty.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit or urban education at progressive levels of responsibility with evidence of successful development and organizational outcomes; experience as a superintendent is a plus.
• Deep understanding of the complexity of education systems and evidence of leading large scale change in urban public school contexts.
• Experience working in conjunction with a board to identify priorities, establish goals, monitor progress, and produce outcomes in service to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience building consensus, leading advocacy efforts, and mobilizing others to champion the efforts of an organization.
• Exceptional written, oral, and visual communications skills and a desire to develop and maintain deep relationships with a variety of diverse constituents.

Salary for this integral leadership position is competitive, and commensurate with prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package will be included in the ultimate offer for the identified sole finalist. We look forward to discussing details with you as the interview process progresses. Chiefs for Change is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from diverse candidates. Chiefs for Change does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age.