Executive Director

Join the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ) in leading a parent-led movement for educational equity and excellence in the city’s public schools. At CEJ, we believe in the power of grassroots leadership and are committed to ensuring that every child in NYC receives a culturally responsive, high-quality and well-rounded education. As a citywide coalition of community-based organizations, we unapologetically organize in Black, Brown, Immigrant, and Indigenous communities, fighting for transformative change.

CEJ is actively engaged in city, state, and national endeavors to organize for culturally responsive antiracist schools, secure increased school funding, and to counter assaults aimed at privatizing public education. This is a pivotal moment for education in NYC, and we are seeking an Executive Director capable of guiding the coalition through its next phase of expansion and progression.

The Executive Director position is a full time and exempt position, including some weekends and travel outside of traditional work hours and would report to two steering committee organizational members. This position is hybrid and the salary range is between $100k-$115k with a generous benefits package.

What we are looking for:

CEJ is looking for an experienced organizer and strategist to serve as our Executive Director to

help us strengthen our coalition’s ability to build parent power to create education equity in

NYC’s public schools. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to multi-racial,

multicultural, and multilingual organizing and significant experience leading organizing work in

the education arena. We are looking for someone who is visionary, strategic, hands on, and can help us implement a new framework for CEJ in collaboration with parent leaders.

What you will do:

The Executive Director is responsible for maintaining the growth, health, and sustainability of

CEJ. These responsibilities include management of relationships with and recruitment of

coalition members, supervision of staff, fundraising and resource development, and

management of external relationships. Working in collaboration with parent leaders, families, and organizers is essential in this role and to the organization.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Campaign Strategy and Coordination:

• The Executive Director, with the direction of parent leaders and organizers will be responsible for creating and implementing campaign strategies.
• Maintain relationships with CEJ’s member organizations, including quarterly meetings

with executive leadership of member organizations and monthly meetings with

organizers of member organizations.

• Stay abreast of NYC school politics and policies, and any changes that will impact student’s education.

Leadership Management and Communication:

• Coordinate CEJ external communications.
• Conduct and design workshops on education issues.
• Supervise other CEJ staff.
• Plan and execute leadership development and political education workshops.
• Manage relationship and communication with fiscal sponsor.
• Conduct performance reviews for staff.

Decision-Making, Collaboration, and Networking:

• Maintain external relationships with CEJ allies and supporters, elected officials, Department of Education staff, etc.
• Create a plan and work with CEJ organizations to recruit new member organizations to strengthen CEJ’s geographic and demographic representation in NYC.

Fundraising and Grants Management:

• Maintain relationships with current funders and develop relationships with new funders.
• Develop and implement a funding strategy to meet current CEJ budget needs and CEJ’s growth goals.

Organizational Oversight:

• Ensure the organization adheres to all relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Oversee the organization's budget, ensure financial stability, and manage fundraising efforts.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategic plans to guide the organization's future direction.

Qualifications, skills, and abilities

• At least 5 years of experience in education organizing, with at least 2-3 years of experience in NYC Education Organizing.
• Demonstrated experience in managing relationships among peer organizations in a collaborative or coalition setting.
• Proven ability to recruit, engage, and coordinate others to participate in campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in managing staff.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and budget management.
• Understanding of education policies and practices that promote equity and liberation for historically marginalized communities.
• Ability to manage people and projects collaboratively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual environments in a culturally responsive manner.
• Basic knowledge of social media platforms and use of google suite.
• Demonstrated commitment to language justice.
• Spanish fluency (oral and written) is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands

The Executive Director role primarily involves office work, requiring extended periods of sitting, and computer use. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be needed for materials such as interpretation equipment and office supplies. Travel within NYC and NY State is required for meetings and events, including walking. There is an expectation to visit member organizations across NYC.

Work Environment

This position is hybrid, 90% in person and 10% remote.