Job Postings
Chief of Education
Chief of Education
College Track - Oakland, California
About College Track
College Track is a comprehensive college completion program that equips students from underserved communities to be the first in their families to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. We do this by offering a holistic, asset-based program that invests in each of our scholars over the course of 10 years: from high school, to college, through the launch of their careers. In 1997, our organization began with 25 students in East Palo Alto. Today, we serve nearly 5,000 alumni and scholars. Our 13 centers for high school students are located in underserved communities across California, Colorado, Louisiana and the D.C. Metro Area. Our college scholars are on higher education campuses across the nation, and our alumni community is 1,100 and growing. To learn more, please visit http://www.collegetrack.org/
Our Impact
College Track students graduate from college at a rate that is more than double the national average for first-generation students from underserved communities. Six months out of college, 79% of College Track alumni are employed. For those 30 and over, 92% report earnings greater than their parents with wages on par with the national average. By helping our students maximize the value of their four-year college degree–which includes minimizing student loan debt, securing internships, and limiting the need to work while in college—we prepare them to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
Our Values
At College Track, our values drive the way we do our work, and we look for individuals who share our passion. We blend an entrepreneurial spirit with our nonprofit roots, cultivating a dynamic culture where everyone's contributions are valued and encouraged.
COMMITMENT: With every choice and every decision, we center the 10-year promise.
PASSION: It is the fire that drives us, and we’re in it for the long haul.
JOY: Energized by the hopes, ambitions, and growth of our scholars, we celebrate the impact of our community.
AUTHENTICITY: What each brings to the table contributes to deep and trusting relationships.
EXCELLENCE: Every day is better than the last, we’re always learning, always progressing, always evolving.
Position Overview
College Track is looking for an experienced, agile, and galvanizing Chief of Education (EDU) to join us during this exciting moment in the organization’s history following a period of rapid growth and innovation. Reporting directly to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the EDU is responsible for inspiring and leading the organization through the full implementation of College Track’s 10-year Integrated Program model, designed to support scholars from high school, through college and into meaningful careers, that includes a continuous quality improvement process focused on program effectiveness and student outcomes. The EDU will position College Track on a course of sustainability and organizational health to accelerate the impact on College Track’s mission in the future.
The EDU will oversee the largest portfolio in the organization that is critical and core to driving College Track’s mission forward. The EDU will often lead the organization on behalf of the CEO, working collaboratively and in strong partnership with the Chief of Staff and key leaders on the Senior Leadership Team, including the Chief Finance & Operations Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Vice President of Program Evaluation & Research and Vice President of Communications, Public Relations, & Brand Strategy. The EDU will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the program aspects of the annual budget in conjunction with the CEO and Chief Finance & Operating Officer (CFOO). They will lead, mentor, and oversee a diverse team of four Vice Presidents, Site Strategy team, and a Director of Education Initiatives within the Education Leadership Team, and over 150 program staff nationally.
Working closely with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team, the EDU will inform College Track’s strategic direction, drive organizational performance measurement, strengthen systems and a culture of accountability, and provide substantial internal operational leadership as the organization continues on its path to innovative transformation. Central to the EDU’s priorities is ensuring the program is delivered with fidelity across all 13 sites, with full integration across all four phases of the program model - scholar recruitment, pre-college, college, and alumni, career, and life - and that organizational capacity, resources, and processes are best aligned to College Track’s strategic priorities. As a core senior leader, the EDU will also play a key role as a steward of College Track’s culture of inclusion and continuing efforts to become a destination as an employer of choice.
Primary Responsibilities
• Drive integration of and excellence across the four phases of the 10-year program model:
• Oversee the education leadership team, including the Site Strategy, Program Design & Training, College Thrive and Alumni, Career & Life Design areas, to ensure program fidelity and deep integration of approach, priority and delivery across 13 high school sites in five regions in the United States, our college program and transition to meaningful careers.
• Oversee the continued implementation, iteration, and strengthening of all milestone events and phases. Partner with the Vice President of Program Evaluation & Research to establish and review key program data metrics and trends related to student outcomes to inform meaningful program enhancements.
• Ensure significant and impactful collaboration between the high school and college phases of the program model so that there is a seamless and effective transition of scholars to the college phase of their journey that is embedded with College Track’s College & University Partnership strategy.
• Demonstrate highly visible presence at sites, with regionally located staff and the Oakland headquarters to meaningfully build relationships and integrations across teams, and to deepen understanding of the program to enhance scholar outcomes.
• Ensure that College Track’s program services and delivery comply with all federal, state, and local regulations and risk management policies.
• Model inclusive leadership and steward College Track’s culture:
• Work collaboratively across the Senior Leadership Team, building consensus to drive strong program delivery and an integrated strategy.
• Steward an organizational culture that promotes inclusion and enables the professional growth of all team members.
• Communicate effectively across all regions; steward a culture that embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being.
• Empower leaders to manage increasing complexity with adaptability and a growth mindset.
• Ensure College Track continues to thrive as a learning organization that fosters innovation and seeks strength in collaboration.
• Drive alignment and excellence in internal operations and stakeholder engagement:
• Serve as a key strategic partner and advisor to the CEO and a proxy for decision-making as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team, especially the CEO, to drive College Track's long-term strategic direction and goals and to lead the development and implementation of internal initiatives that reflect the organization’s long-term strategy.
• Demonstrate a strong presence with the Board of Directors, leading all programmatic and student outcome-related agendas and discussions.
• Act as a change agent and drive organizational excellence by building and improving systems and processes in support of the organization's strategic priorities.
Qualifications
First and foremost, the Chief of Education will be a fierce advocate for College Track’s mission to equip students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree in pursuit of a life of opportunity, choice, purpose, and power. Additionally, candidates bring with them the following skills, experience, and knowledge:
• Solid educational background, including an undergraduate degree; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• At least 15 years of professional experience overall, with a minimum of five years of cabinet-level or c-suite leadership experience supervising seasoned staff and operating educational programs across a broad geography.
• Exceptional communicator and relationship builder with demonstrated experience and comfort in engaging with media and showcasing external thought leadership. Possesses exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent College Track both internally and externally. Skilled in building relationships with community partners, the board of directors, and other key stakeholders.
• Incredible mentor and coach with a track record of developing talent; experience leading diverse work teams, and developing and delivering on a cohesive organization-wide people-centric strategy for program excellence.
• Demonstrable experience and success leading change management and galvanizing teams and broader audiences around a shared vision.
• Experience garnering tangible examples of reporting and program measurement and evaluation.
• Demonstrates integrity, strives for excellence, and has experience leading others to new levels of effectiveness and programmatic impact.
• Exceptional knowledge of and experience with the K-16 space.
• Passionate about College Track’s mission and able to promote and communicate the philosophy, mission, and values of College Track to external and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to travel 50 percent of the time to provide on-site leadership for multistate operating units and programs.
• Preference for candidates based in the DC Metro Area, Bay Area, or Los Angeles region.
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $297,375 - $320,250 with the exact salary depending on experience.
College Track provides access to extensive benefits centered around three core areas of wellness: health care, work-life balance, and financial security. We believe time off is essential to success and provide up to 27 discretionary time off days (Sick and Vacation) and 28 paid office closures and holiday days in your first year of employment. Learn more about benefits here.
Contact
Kaya Partners, the executive search firm that specializes in mission-driven search, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Karen Yetman Rea and Nikki Lynch of Koya Partners have been exclusively retained for this search. Confidential expressions of interest and applications are welcomed and can be made by submitting a cover letter and resume to our https://apptrkr.com/5524758. All nominations can be sent to Kyetmanrea@koyapartners.com.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
College Track is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a part of Diversified Search Group, is a leading executive search and strategic advising firm dedicated to connecting exceptionally talented people with mission-driven clients. Our founding philosophy—The Right Person in the Right Place Can Change the World—guides our work as we partner with nonprofits & NGOs, institutions of higher education, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
For more information about Koya Partners, click here
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