Cindy Nava, who has served as Executive Director for TENM since last year, has been appointed by the White House for a special role within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While Cindy will be missed, she has made tremendous progress in ensuring that TENM is on strong footing to continue the work of advocating for English Language Learners, Native American students, low-income students, and students with disabilities.
TENM is seeking a leader to continue for education equity and better outcomes for New Mexico students. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply before July 1.
Job Announcement: Executive Director for Transform Education NM
BACKGROUND
Transform Education NM is a coalition formed in 2018 of educators, families and students, tribal leaders, experts, and community leaders advancing a visionary transformation of education in New Mexico that embraces the diverse cultures, languages and heritages of our students, and ensures all students have the opportunities to learn and succeed. We have a historic chance to make fundamental changes with the landmark Yazzie/Martinez court ruling declaring that New Mexico’s public education system is insufficient under the state constitution. The court ordered the State to provide the programs, services and resources necessary for students to be college and career ready, and to address deep inequities for Native American students, English language learners, low income students and students with disabilities.
Our communities are leading the way to fundamentally reimagine public education, centered in equity for students. TENM is advocating for policies that ensure a multicultural and multilingual education foundation, recruitment and retention of educators who are valued and well supported for the classroom, high quality curriculum including universal pre-K, bilingual education, special education, and community-based programs, access to technology, career and vocational services, and health and social services, and adequate funding for our schools. Learn more at www.transformeducationnm.org.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Transform Education NM is hiring an Executive Director to serve as the primary leader and principal spokesperson; direct strategic planning and oversight of policy advocacy, coalition-building, fundraising, communications, and day-to-day operations; and build TENM’s staffing and financial resources.
TENM‘s Executive Director will build a culture that champions fundamental changes to our education system by engaging students and educators in taking action, amplifying a powerful collective voice, connecting to policymakers, and holding the state accountable by leveraging advocacy, litigation and media strategies. TENM’s diverse partners work collaboratively to advance shared goals for transforming education, dismantling racism, and ensuring resource sufficiency for our schools.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Holds a strong vision for education transformation, student equity and dismantling systemic injustices and racism in our education system.
- Experience leading organization-wide planning, articulating clear priorities, and building high performance teams to implement specific action plans. Ability to “see” the full political and social environment and choose courses of action.
- Highly effective communicator for advocacy, media and fundraising.
- Excels at fostering teamwork, building strong relationships with community partners, funders, stakeholders, and bringing people together to build upon their collective strengths .
- Adept at generating systemic change and experience with campaigns that involve community organizing, communications strategies, coalition-building, and advocacy with policymakers.
- Leads courageously when faced with adversity, challenges or uncomfortable situations, and can persevere in moving forward community-driven priorities in the face of powerful interests.
- Ability to effectively hire, supervise and delegate responsibilities among TENM staff.
- Good understanding of fundraising and grant acquisition.
- Familiarity with nonprofit management, including regulation and finance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Develop and implement long- and short-range goals with the coalition. Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments, trends, and best practices in the field of public education policy and funding. Leads evaluation of TENM’s progress towards goals.
Community Relations and Coalition Building: Oversees coalition management, facilitation, and outreach to engage new community partners and determine policy priorities. Maintains regular contact with relevant community organizations, legislators, tribal leaders, media, and other key constituencies.
Communications and Media: Acts as a principal spokesperson for TENM. Oversees communications strategies to engage and mobilize community members and partners, elevate the stories and experiences of students and educators, and win support of the public and policymakers.
Public Policy: Facilitates the development of the coalition’s public policy priorities and legislative and administrative advocacy agenda. Builds and maintains relationships with legislators and other key decision-makers. May represent the organization on statewide groups that are tasked with making recommendations regarding strategies to improve public education.
Fundraising: Develops and implements a development plan to sustain and grow the organization that includes fundraising from foundations and individual donors. Ensures regular communication and cultivation of foundations and other donors regarding the organization’s progress towards its goals.
Financial, Operations, and Business Management: Manages the day-to-day operation of the organization with due diligence to ensure sound budgeting, financial health, and accuracy and timeliness of accounting with TENM’s fiscal sponsor. Ensures financial resources are utilized to fulfill the organization’s mission and that any donor restrictions placed on funds are carefully observed.
Human Resources: Hires and retains staff and consultants appropriate to the budget and needs of the organization. Develops organizational policies and procedures in consultation with the TENM advisory board. Oversees hiring, supervision, evaluations, and professional development of staff.
Advisory Board Engagement: Supports TENM’s Advisory Board to guide strategic direction and ensure financial integrity of the organization. Convenes and reports to the Advisory Board on progress towards goals, emerging opportunities, and any potential controversy. Assists with board recruitment.
COMPENSATION
Base salary of $80,000 to $85,000 DOE plus additional compensation for health and retirement benefits.
LOCATION
Statewide; may be based anywhere in New Mexico with occasional travel.
TO APPLY
Apply in confidence by July 1, 2022 by emailing a resume and cover letter that addresses why you are interested in this role to hiring@transformeducationnm.org. Transform Education NM is an equal opportunity employer deeply committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring and organizational practices. We strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, and New Mexicans of multiple backgrounds and identities to apply.