Director, Civic Formation & Debate - Strategy & Outreach

Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Education Foundation seeks a visionary Director of Civic Formation & Debate to lead statewide civics and debate initiatives. The role combines strategy, partnerships, and intellectual leadership to model national standards for K–20 civic education, beyond tournaments and exams.

The position oversees the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, scales Western canon programs, and works with multiple institutions to create coherent pathways from K–12 to college and career.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent demonstrated scholarly and professional achievement.
• Deep knowledge of the Western canon, American founding, and civic education.
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder education initiatives at scale.
• Strong writing, speaking, and convening skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct statewide expansion and quality of FCDI speech, debate, and civics programming across all 67 districts.
• Oversee tournaments, National Civics and Debate Championship, and teacher training and development.
• Strengthen alignment between debate, civics, U.S. history, and civics standards.
• Grow participation especially in underserved and rural schools while raising intellectual rigor of topics and judging.
• Design and scale initiatives introducing Great Books and Western texts across K–12 to postsecondary pathways.
• Develop teacher institutes, reading groups, and curriculum modules that treat debate as living practice.
• Advise on alignment with state priorities including civic-literacy requirements.

Skills

Strong writing, speaking, convening

Lead complex multi-stakeholder educa…

Deep knowledge of Western canon & U.S.

Education

Advanced degree in a relevant field (history, political philosophy, classics, education, law, or related discipline)

Job description

Florida Education Foundation seeks a visionary Director of Civic Formation & Debate to lead statewide civics and debate initiatives. The role combines strategy, partnerships, and intellectual leadership to model national standards for K–20 civic education, beyond tournaments and exams.

The position oversees the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative, scales Western canon programs, and works with multiple institutions to create coherent pathways from K–12 to college and career.