Villar's Job Posting

Here is the job posting at CCER that Dr. Villar responded to:

http://ctedreform.org/who-we-are/job-postings/

Executive Director of the Connecticut Council for Education Reform

The Role

Reporting to the CCER Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership, and strategic and tactical direction in order to fulfill the organization’s mission and vision.

The Executive Director will advance CCER’s influence and impact, in Connecticut and nationally, by advocating for reform policies at local, state, and federal levels; defend reforms that have been enacted; raise public awareness through campaigns; and support the implementation of reform initiatives that will narrow the achievement gap in the state of Connecticut by working directly with public school districts and the Connecticut State Department of Education.

The Executive Director will work closely with the CCER Board of Directors to evaluate and expand programs and initiatives in order to achieve strategic goals and CCER’s overall mission of narrowing Connecticut’s achievement gap while raising overall academic performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Work successfully with staff and the Board to develop and implement CCER’s strategic initiatives and to ensure that the mission and vision of the organization are carried out to the fullest potential.
• Communication, Awareness & Influence: Ensure all external stakeholders (legislative and executive branches of local, state and federal governments, state and local boards of education, current and future corporate partners, current and prospective donors, school district leaders, teachers, parents, community partners, etc.) have a clear sense of the challenges presented by the achievement gap, the need for reform, and CCER’s mission and vision. Increase CCER’s visibility and role in the community through action, outreach, advocacy, dialog, strategic partnerships, and media (all channels). Serve as principal spokesperson and representative for CCER in promoting initiatives, priorities and accomplishments.
• Relationship Cultivation: Build and leverage committed and long-lasting relationships across all stakeholders, team members and Board members.
• Implementation: Oversee the development and realization of a successful strategy for implementation of reforms at the state and local level, working directly with school district leaders, local boards of education, the Connecticut State Board of Education and Connecticut Department of Education to implement specific programs and initiatives.
• Human Capital: Attract and develop a team of talented professionals committed to closing the achievement gap. Manage staff in a way that motivates and builds a team and collaborative spirit. Provide consistent developmental support and guidance to the CCER team to ensure that they have the tools, skills and information necessary to carry out their work at the highest level.
• Board Relations: Develop a highly effective and collaborative relationship with an engaged board, who have a passion for the success and mission of CCER and a desire to be appropriately leveraged.
• Financial Management & Operations: Provide stewardship for the CCER’s financial assets and oversee and participate in the organization’s planning and budgeting processes. Provide oversight for policies, practices, and systems that positively impact staff and interns./fellows
• Fund Development: Continually identify and secure new funding development opportunities for CCER with a focus on long-term sustainability.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 5-10 years of senior executive level leadership experience in the field of K through 12 education.
• Demonstrated expertise in reform and advocacy, ideally in the education space.
• Understanding of nonprofit operations and a passion for CCER’s mission.
• Currently recognized as a community leader or with the executive presence and profile necessary to achieve this shortly after appointment.
• Experience effectively and successfully managing the needs and growth strategies of an evolving organization.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate successfully across a diverse group of stakeholders to achieve a mission and meet mutually agreed upon outcomes/goals.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a small staff, building collegiality, team work, and collectively/effectively working towards a goal.
• Demonstrated competency across a broad range of executive and managerial functions, including strategic planning, team leadership, financial management, partnership development, and board management.
• Understanding of the political dynamics surrounding federal and state legislation, as well as local political sensitivities.
• Ability to reach out and build partnerships and allies.
• Ability to serve as a role model for best management practices and impactful decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience as a spokesperson, including use of broadcast and social media as a tool of organizational communication (although media training can be provided if needed).
• Competency in fundraising and fund development considered a plus.

Personal Attributes:

• A passion for CCER’s mission.
• Demonstrated experience in providing strong, entrepreneurial and effective leadership and management in an evolving, public-facing organization.
• Strategic thinker and visionary leader.
• Clear personal authority and credibility to command respect with the Board, CCER team and external constituents/community.
• Excellent people and influencing skills with strength in building external relationships/partnerships and mentoring staff.
• Ability to respond well to changing demands and challenging opportunities make timely, sound decisions.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities to execute appropriate strategic initiatives in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to encourage open and productive dialog and effectively influence positive outcomes; strong written and verbal communication skills, including exceptional public speaking ability – listens, engages and influences.
• Analytic and decisive decision maker with the ability to prioritize and communicate with staff and managers about key objectives and tactics necessary to achieve CCER’s mission and goals.
• Strong ideals and integrity with visionary, strategic and operational planning abilities.
• Flexible, resourceful and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions.
• Highly goal-oriented with a strong focus on delivery; persistent, structured, organized, and focused.
• Good public speaker, strong writing skills, and highly organized.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from a competitive college or university.

Travel:

Willingness to travel in Connecticut regularly, and throughout the Northeast as needed.

Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and résumé/C.V. to Tory Clarke, Partner, at resumes@bridgepartnersllc.com

CCER is an Equal Opportunity Employer