Job Description

Position Summary:

The Board at Charleston Education Partners is seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the launch of a transformative educational initiative. The CEO will play a critical role in collaborating with the Board to identify and prioritize schools and communities most in need of support. They will spearhead efforts to establish clear, impactful goals while ensuring that resources and initiatives are strategically aligned to address the unique challenges of these communities. In partnership with the Board, the CEO will oversee the implementation of initiatives and tasks, leveraging the full capacity of CEP to drive meaningful and sustainable improvements in educational outcomes across the region.

Areas of Responsibilities

Strategic & Visionary Leadership

• Collaborate closely with the Board to develop and execute a robust three-year strategic plan, aligned with a corresponding budget that drives both programming and operational objectives.
• Represent the organization as a visible, accessible, and proactive advocate, fostering connections with stakeholders across Charleston County and beyond, including students, families, educators, school leaders, policymakers, politicians, and other Education Champion Organizations (ECOs).
• Build and maintain long-term, strategic relationships with national and regional educational leaders, charter authorizers, school administrators, ECOs, and educational researchers to remain at the forefront of cutting-edge reform strategies.
• Articulate and advocate for CEP’s viewpoint on critical educational issues, both locally and nationally, establishing the organization as a recognized thought leader in the field.
• Stay deeply informed on federal and state policies and relevant legislation, understanding how they can drive or impede the success of educational reform efforts.
• Serve as the primary liaison and resource for school leaders engaged in reform efforts, offering guidance and support throughout their journey.

Program & Resource Development

• Cultivate partnerships with successful, high-performing school leaders, working to scale their proven models and expand their impact on broader educational systems.
• Lead collaborative efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative strategies and programs designed to improve academic performance, promote social-emotional learning, and foster leadership growth across schools.
• Identify and address potential barriers to creating and accessing high-performing schools, developing targeted initiatives such as talent pipeline programs to address specific challenges and enhance opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Discussion

• Engage with families, community members, and stakeholders to evaluate the most effective school operating and governance models.
• Identify early adopters among school leaders, educators, and community influencers who can serve as champions and advocates for CEP’s initiatives.
• Develop clear transparent communication strategies to ensure stakeholders understand the organizations goals, impact and progress.
• Establish regular forums for stakeholders to provide input, share concerns, and contribute to program design and strategy.
• Facilitate round table discussions and work groups to encourage collaboration and shared ownership of initiative.

Fundraising, Advocacy & Community Awareness

• Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, securing diverse funding sources from individual donors, foundations, corporate sponsors, and government grants.
• Actively advocate for high-quality education throughout the county, ensuring all students have access to meaningful opportunities for growth, achievement, and success.
• Cultivate and sustain strong relationships with key donors and philanthropic partners, ensuring contributions align with CEP’s mission.
• Lead and drive fundraising efforts, including events, campaigns, and grant opportunities, to generate significant financial resources that support long-term sustainability.

Organizational Building and Effectiveness

• Attract, engage, and work closely with a strong, diverse Board of Directors, ensuring they are well-informed, actively involved, and fully aligned with the organization’s mission, strategic vision, and operational objectives.
• Establish and maintain robust governance frameworks and processes that ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, while promoting transparency and accountability across the organization.
• Develop, oversee, and manage the organization’s annual budget, ensuring the strategic allocation of resources that maximize impact, efficiency, and alignment with organizational priorities and goals.
• Ensure the financial integrity and fiscal management, ensuring sound financial planning, risk management, and the effective stewardship of all resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Education, Public Policy, or a related field.
• At least 7-10 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, with a proven track record of managing and growing an organization, ideally in a startup or expanding environment.
• Successfully led high-performing schools, districts, or teams, achieving measurable results in education reform and fostering academic excellence.
• Direct experience working with Education Champion Organizations (ECOs) or leading education reform efforts in the South, with deep knowledge of regional strengths and challenges.
• Skilled in building trust and influencing diverse groups, with expertise in authentic community engagement, especially with grassroots organizations and local leaders.
• Strong strategic thinker, highly organized, entrepreneurial, and collaborative, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to identify, build, and maintain strategic partnerships with school networks, talent organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in securing diverse funding sources, including financial and political capital, and advocating for policy change at the local and state levels (Lowcountry and Columbia).

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