Associate Director

SupportFinity™; Washington (Washington County); On-site; USD 203,775 - 218,675; Full time

Job summary

The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. The Associate Director of State Affiliate Relations supports leadership development, onboarding, and coaching for state affiliate presidents and executive directors, reporting to the Director of State Affiliate Relations.

This role requires collaboration across NEA and field leaders to advance organizing priorities and scalable programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Organization Development, Organizational Leadership, or related field; seven years NEA association or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting leadership development and training using adult learning theory; strong coaching and facilitation.
• Proven ability to work across a large, complex organization with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate innovative learning experiences for state affiliate leaders.
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation programs for newly elected state affiliate presidents and executives.
• Provide logistical support for leadership development programs and pipelines.
• Collaborate with NEA departments and leadership to align development efforts with broader strategies.

Skills

Leadership development

Coaching

Facilitation

Organizational advocacy

Budgeting & strategic planning

Interpersonal relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Posting Period

March 10, 2026 - Until Filled

Employee Group Type

EXEC Executives, OO127 Office of the Executive Director (OED)

Position Type

Regular

Salary Range

$203,775.00 - $218,675.00

Position Details

The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. With headquarters in Washington, DC, NEA proudly claims more than 3 million members devoted to the following mission: to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Our vision is a great public school for every student. We strive to improve the quality of teaching, to increase student achievement, and to make schools safer and better places to learn.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of State Affiliate Relations supports the design, coordination, and delivery of professional and leadership development (including onboarding, continuous development, and leadership pipeline initiatives) for state affiliate presidents, executive directors, and leadership teams. Reporting to the Director of State Affiliate Relations, this position plays a critical operational and programmatic role in implementing leadership development strategies that advance NEA’s organizing priorities and the scalability of related programs. The Associate Director will be required to support and collaborate with state affiliate presidents and executive directors and operate in a highly complex environment while balancing the competing needs of various stakeholders. In addition to coordinating and providing training during the transition and onboarding of new presidents and executive directors, the Associate Director will provide organizational development support and facilitation, and will partner with state affiliates and support them when they are hiring an executive director. The successful candidate will possess strong skills in leadership development, coaching, and facilitation, along with a commitment to confidentiality and a drive for continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Program Coordination & Delivery

• Assess and co-design innovative and effective ongoing learning experiences for state affiliate presidents, executive directors, and leadership teams.
• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of orientation programs for newly elected state affiliate presidents and newly hired executive directors.
• Provide operational and logistical support for the executive directors’ pipeline development programs, including scheduling, materials, participant tracking, and continuous improvement.
• Provide operational and logistical support for the NEA/NCSEA State Presidents’ Professional Development Plan.

Coaching, Mentoring & Leadership Support

• Support the administration of confidential mentoring programs for state affiliate presidents and executive directors.
• Assist with the delivery of structured coaching tools, learning resources, and development frameworks.
• Help gather feedback and assess leadership development needs to inform future learning experiences.

Organizational & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with the Director to support state affiliates and NEA Human Resources during executive director recruitment processes, including scheduling, documentation, and coordination of search-related activities.
• Support the administration and coordination of the Unified State Executive Directors Program.
• Collaborate with internal NEA departments and NEA leadership to ensure alignment of leadership development efforts with organizing priorities and broader NEA strategies.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Organization Development, Organizational Leadership, or a related field and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be acquired. A minimum of seven (7) years of NEA association or equivalent experience required.
• Experience supporting leadership development, implementing training programs using adult learning theory, and strong coaching and facilitation skills.
• Proven skills as an organizer and in overseeing successful organizing efforts.
• Proven experience with mediation and conflict management.
• Proven experience with the development and implementation of strategic plans and budgets.
• Proven experience in working collaboratively with leaders.
• Experience as an organizational advocate for education, labor, and/or social justice issues.
• Effective skills in decision-making, oral/written communications, policy analysis, interpersonal relations, team building, and collaboration.
• Established high standards of performance to ensure accountability for work results.
• Experience working collaboratively across a complex organization to ensure effective integration and alignment of resources and programs.
• Extensive travel required.

Job Location

Due to the extensive travel, this position is eligible to be field based.

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

In Compliance With The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

NEA Participates in E-Verify. Read more here E-Verify Participation & Right to Work.

NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.

About the company

National Education Association