Executive Director

American Dental Education Association (ADEA); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Law and Education (CLE) in Boston seeks an Executive Director reporting to the Board of Directors to guide strategy, fundraising, operations, and national policy impact. This hybrid role requires a visionary, mission-driven leader with a record of advancing educational equity and strong collaboration with funders and policymakers.

The successful candidate will steward CLE's growth, financial sustainability, and strategic partnerships while building a cross-functional leadership

Qualifications

• Five or more years of senior nonprofit leadership experience.
• Experience in education policy, civil rights, or legal services is preferred.
• Strong fundraising and financial stewardship capabilities.
• Ability to build strategic partnerships with funders, policymakers, and community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for CLE's growth and impact.
• Oversee fundraising, operations, finance, and staff development.
• Represent the organization to the board, funders, policymakers, and external partners.
• Lead advocacy initiatives and national policy influence in education law and equity.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising

Nonprofit governance

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advocacy

Organizational leadership

Education

Advanced degree in law or public policy

Juris Doctor preferred

Job description

Executive Director
Reporting to the Board of Directors
Boston, Massachusetts (Hybrid)

The Center for Law and Education (CLE) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and protecting the rights of students, particularly those from low-income families, students of color, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners. Founded in 1969, CLE works through litigation, legislative advocacy, administrative advocacy, policy development, training, and coalition-building to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality public education. For more than five decades, the organization has been a leading voice for educational justice, helping remove systemic barriers and empowering communities to address educational challenges effectively.

CLE is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity guided by its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. With a focus on expanding its national influence, advancing its Educational Quality Bill of Rights, launching innovative demonstration projects, and strengthening organizational capacity, CLE is poised to deepen its impact and further establish itself as a leader in education law and policy advocacy. The organization currently operates with a budget of approximately $750,000 and a dedicated team of five full-time staff members.

CLE seeks an Executive Director who will serve as the organization's chief executive and strategic leader, responsible for advancing its mission, strengthening its national presence, ensuring long-term sustainability, and leading the implementation of its strategic vision. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, mission-driven leader with experience in nonprofit leadership, education, public policy, legal services, civil rights advocacy, or related fields. They will demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking, organizational leadership, fundraising success, and the ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships with funders, policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders.

The Executive Director will lead organizational strategy, resource development, advocacy initiatives, communications, operations, and staff development. The successful candidate will bring strong financial and operational management skills, a deep commitment to educational equity and social justice, and the ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture. Significant senior leadership experience is required. An advanced degree in law, education, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field is required; a Juris Doctor is preferred but not required.