About Teach For America

Teach For America is a leadership development organization for those who want to co-create a more just world alongside young people in their communities. Today we are a network of over 70,000 leaders who started in the classroom and remain in lifelong pursuit of the vision that one day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.

Location

The location for this position is flexible throughout the US, with the expectation of frequent travel.

Reports To

Chair, Board of Directors

Position Summary

Borne out of Wendy Kopp’s big idea in 1989 to launch a national teacher corps, Teach For America today is one of the most innovative interventions in our nation’s commitment to transform education and expand opportunity for all children. The organization has experienced tremendous growth and impact in its 35 years—today, it is present in 50 regions, with a network of 70,000+ individuals who serve as agents of change in their communities.

To that end, the future CEO will inherit an organization with national recognition and influence, and will lead the organization into its next era of impact as the sector—and our world—is rapidly changing. Honoring its pioneering spirit, TFA is focused on its 2030 goal, a mission that now guides TFA in this work. The future CEO will advance the organization in pursuit of this goal, while exercising operational and financial acumen to run a large, complex organization. In serving as chief ambassador of the organization, the future CEO ensures that TFA is at the forefront of national conversations in reframing how the organization can be a lever of positive social change, and attracting the philanthropic support for these goals. The future CEO will be a strong operational leader and culture builder, committed to educational equity and excellence, and upholding TFA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The future CEO will appeal to many stakeholders and will maintain the broadest set of allies possible. Galvanizing and inspiring stakeholders across the organization—while keeping students and their families at the forefront of decision making—is equally important as the organization looks to its future.

The future CEO will both honor the historic legacy of the organization, and move it into its future, in partnership with a committed staff and board.

Responsibilities

Mission and Strategy

• Live the values and mission of TFA—relentlessly uphold and champion educational equity and excellence, keeping the needs of our students at the center of our work
• Lead TFA vision setting and strategy developing, aimed at raising the organizational profile, reducing organizational complexity, and deepening its impact
• Work collaboratively with the board, staff, regional leaders, and other stakeholders to lead, support, guide, and execute on the organization’s key mission
• Engage current TFA leaders and staff, as well as the Board, in open and honest dialogue around creating the TFA of the future, driving toward greater diversity of funding sources

External Engagement, Policy, and Fundraising

• Elevate the reputation of and awareness of TFA as a leading voice on issues of education reform, serving as TFA’s chief ambassador
• Lead and guide a strategy to attract philanthropic support from private individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Advance positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders including (but not limited to) industry, government, policymakers, school systems, and institutions of higher education

Leadership, Operations, and Financial Management

• Build, mentor, and develop teams; provide leadership while attracting, retaining, and developing top diverse talent for the organization
• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion with the organization, while establishing an organizational culture that recognizes and celebrates differences
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improved operating efficiencies, effectiveness, and competitiveness; maintain and enhance a measurement and data-driven culture that is focused on the long-term impact of its programs

Teach For America has retained Heidrick & Struggles as our partner for the CEO search. Nominations and applications should be directed to TeachForAmericaCEO@heidrick.com.