President

The President, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Guilford Education Alliance, reports to GEA’s Board of Directors and is responsible for consistently achieving its mission and financial objectives. The next President will lead the organization’s efforts in community engagement, support, collaboration, and advocacy. They will unify the community around a shared vision.

The President must be passionate about education and must have knowledge of how public-school systems operate, a keen understanding of the impact of systemic inequities, and experience communicating and partnering with various stakeholders (community members, the school system, potential funders, elected officials, business leaders, etc.).

GEA’s highly engaged Board of Directors seeks in their next President a leader who is:

• a strategic innovative thinker with the demonstrated ability to think out of the box;
• an experienced, strategic fundraiser;
• an experienced project manager with a demonstrated track record of projects completed on time and within budget;
• able to maintain an energetic, positive working environment;
• known as a compassionate and empathetic individual with demonstrable experience engaging in respectful communication and navigating conflicts with ease;
• a skilled leader who can leverage talent and resources to maximize efficiency and impact;
• adept in navigating the role and function of a nonprofit Board of Directors, ensuring collaboration, cohesion, and accountability between the Board and organization;
• experienced in influencing policy and legislation for public education through targeted advocacy work at the local, state, and federal levels;
• able to develop and maintain critical partnerships with community, business, institutional leaders, and elected officials;
• nimble and flexible with an open-minded orientation; and,
• curious and demonstrates a willingness to learn to propel the organization forward.

The President will support the ongoing implementation of the organization’s short, mid, and long-term priorities, as recently identified by its Board of Directors:

• Communications & Narrative: Spreading good news in the community, combating false information, and using social media and innovative platforms and events to drive the narrative.
• Advocacy: Engaging influencers in intentional, strategic advocacy efforts and focusing on key issues at the state and local levels.
• Supporting & Equipping Educators: Funding training and professional development and incentivizing teachers and principals.
• GEA Governance & Operations: These ideas relate to the organization’s internal operations and critical organizational partners.

Key Priorities for the next President are to: 

• Invest significant time and energy in learning the organization's culture and establishing trusting relationships with staff, Board members, the community, and other stakeholders.
• Enhance and expand partnerships within Guilford County and strengthen relationships to reinforce the organization as a supportive, collaborative partner of the Guilford County School system.
• Evaluate the organization’s funding model, conducting a cost/benefit analysis of its programs, fundraising methods, and events to develop a strategic approach that will diversify funding streams and increase funds and resources while ensuring the best use of staff time and the organization’s long-term sustainability and viability.
• Conduct a community needs assessment and garner stakeholder input to construct the organization’s long-term vision in close collaboration with the Board of Directors, identifying strategic objectives for addressing the diverse needs of teachers and students within each jurisdiction of the county and ensuring accessibility of services.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and progressive nonprofit leadership experience are required. Candidates must have a demonstrated track record of successfully raising funds and managing large budgets.