The Organization
The NEA Foundation is a national nonprofit and philanthropic organization based in Washington, D.C., Founded by educators, its mission is to work in partnership with others to promote and advance the absolute best in public education with emphases on educational justice, equity, excellence, and opportunity. The Foundation achieves its mission by:
· investing in educators’ leadership, shared learning and collaboration;
· supporting partnerships that advance the best in teaching and learning; and
· sharing improvements in education policy and practice resulting from educators’ and organizational partners’ thought leadership.
The Foundation’s aims are furthered through grants programs, strategic initiatives, fellowship and awards programs, and numerous collaborative efforts.
The Foundation believes that the most innovative and effective policies and strategies emanate from educators engaged in authentic partnership with policymakers, students, parents, and others committed to educational justice, equity, excellence, and opportunity. We envision schools as places that foster both educators’ and students’ love of learning, enabling both to excel. We also envision education as every child’s civil right.
We recognize that the realization of this vision will require rigorous teaching and learning at every educational level; equitable and just educational resources and practices; an appreciation of students’ and educators’ full identity, physical, social, and emotional well-being; the eradication of racism, prejudice, and negative biases or mindsets; and both the public and policymakers’ openness to innovation and change.
More information about the Foundation can be found at www.neafoundation.org
Position Overview
The NEA Foundation is seeking deeply knowledgeable, passionate, and equity-focused advocates for public education to become a part of the Foundation’s Strategy Group. These individuals will assist in furthering existing Foundation programs, developing and implementing new strategic initiatives, and cultivating strategic partnerships and investments to advance the Foundation’s mission
The individuals filling these positions will report to the Chief Officer for Strategic Initiatives. The positions are based in Washington, D.C.
Primary Responsibilities:
As part of a new workgroup within the Foundation, the right candidates for these positions will bring an exceptional capacity for thought partnership in further development of the Foundation’s existing and emerging strategies to advance educational equity, excellence, and opportunity. Chiefly, they will bring deep knowledge of education systems, best practices, and the roles of both educators and educational partnerships in advancing the best in public education. In their roles, they will be expected to be engaged in national conversations about educational justice and improvement with significant comfort and the capacity to contribute to a national dialogue about the roles of educators and educational partnerships. They also will have opportunities to help design the Foundation’s internal systems in the furtherance of this work. Exceptional oral and written communication skills, humility, a commitment to servant leadership, and the capacity to effectively engage colleagues and other education stakeholders in widely varied contexts are critical considerations in the selection of the Foundation’s officers.
Design and Administration of Strategic Initiative
Help to enact the Foundation’s mission and vision through grantmaking, associated grants management, and program design.
Serve as lead project manager of assigned grants, fellowship and awards programs, and strategic initiatives.
Maintain and share deep knowledge of effective strategies and current thinking in the education and social change fields – what works, most effective and innovative ways to support educators and other positive changemakers, and how to implement effective strategies with partners.
Help identify potential strategic investments and partnership opportunities that advance the Foundation’s mission, vision, and values.
Contribute to the team’s development and refinement of criteria to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of a strategy portfolio.
Facilitate the development and implementation of online and in-person learning opportunities for educators and others, including events and travel.
Support the effective contributions of associated consultants and speakers.
Cultivate and engage Foundation program alumni as leaders, advisors, and members of vibrant network of educators.
Strategy Teamwork
Prepare high-quality written materials for external audiences as well as Foundation management and a Board of Directors.
Work closely with the Foundation’s Communications and Development teams to identify, produce and/or review various content related to Foundation projects, grants, and initiatives.
Develop and maintain effective professional relationships ad partnerships that advance the Foundation’s goals.
Serve as the direct supervisor of a Strategy Associate and/or interns (in partnership with other strategy officers).
Desired Qualifications & Characteristics
· A deep personal commitment to the NEA Foundation’s mission and values (advancing public education, educator leadership, enhancing the whole child, partnership, the public good, and justice).
· Knowledge of current issues in public education.
· Knowledge and experience in identifying, assessing, synthesizing, and communicating best practices related to education practice and policy.
· A demonstrated capacity to advance justice, equity, excellence, and opportunity, including racial equity, in prior roles.
· Previous grantmaking and grants management experience desirable.
· A Bachelor’s degree and minimum of five years of experience and demonstrated leadership in relevant education/nonprofit/philanthropic sectors.
· Experience as an educator preferred.
· Excellent project management and time management skills, including exceptional attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple relationships and deliverables simultaneously, work independently, and follow through in a timely manner.
· Experience developing and leading professional development sessions and events for educators.
· Exceptional analytical, writing, and verbal communication skills.
· The ability to facilitate dynamic conversations and serve as a spokesperson for the Foundation.
· The highest level of interpersonal skills including excellent listening, tact, patience, humility, flexibility, courtesy, and the ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment.
· Availability to conduct occasional evening meetings to accommodate groups of educators in various time zones.
Additional desired qualifications and characteristics for one of the positions:
· Experience and interest in global learning.
· Ability to travel internationally in alignment with a field study component of the Foundation’s Global Learning Fellowship Program.
How To Apply
Interested applicants should apply by sending a cover letter and resume to eschneider@nea.org.”