Executive Director

Cahn Fellowship; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K and 357b plans

Job summary

The Cahn Fellowship seeks an Executive Director to lead a national program for cultivating high-performing public school principals. Based in New York City or a major Partner City, you will report to the Board of Directors and oversee fundraising, program excellence, and external relations.

The role combines strategic leadership with hands-on management across finance, marketing, and partnerships. Expect travel about 20% and a compensation package of $200,000–$250,000 plus a performance-based

Qualifications

• Experience leading and fundraising for a not-for-profit organization, preferably within public education.
• Strong intellectual, analytical, and strategic thinking ability.
• Ability to imagine and execute broad, far-reaching strategy, combined with a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and take on smaller tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising efforts across individual donors, foundations, and Partner City districts - key success factor #1
• Ensure exceptional program quality - key success factor #2
• Cultivate relationships with Partner City school district leadership - key success factor #3
• Direct financial management, marketing and communications efforts
• Sustain a collaborative, invigorating relationship with the Board of Directors and staff
• Travel approximately 20% of the time, with the remaining 80% conducted remotely

Skills

Passion for public education

Fundraising for not-for-profit

Strategic thinking

Hands-on execution

Strong communication

Education

Experience as a public-school teacher

Job description

Executive Director – The Cahn Fellowship

Location: New York City or a major Partner City (preferred)

Reports to: Board of Directors

Compensation: $200,000–$250,000 salary (experience dependent) plus performance-based bonus

Why You Want This Position

Lead the only and highly respected national program for developing and recognizing high-performing public school - district and charter - principals to double in size over the next five years.

Who We Are

The Cahn Fellowship is the premier destination for public school leaders seeking transformative growth and rejuvenation; the strategic partner for school districts committed to long-term principal excellence and retention; and a national thought leader on growing and sustaining experienced, high-impact school leaders. By focusing on leaders at the school level, we improve the educational outcomes and life trajectories for about 150,000 public school students a year. As noted by the Wallace Foundation, “it is difficult to envision a higher return on investment in K-12 education than the cultivation of high-quality school leadership.”

Three programs comprise the Cahn Fellowship. The Distinguished Principals Fellowship, the flagship program, is a year-long professional development experience designed around leadership and to enhance job satisfaction for very experienced principals. Started in New York City in 2003, the Fellowship has grown into a national program, having served over 1000 leaders from Boston, metro Washington, D.C., Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, in addition to NYC.

Our second program is the Leadership Lab, designed for promising principals at the 3–4 year experience point — the stage at which roughly half quit the profession. In its 4th year this program has served principals from NYC, Tampa, Chicago, Denver, Seattle.

The third program serves our alumni still active as principals and in district leadership. The alumni program takes the form of conferences as well as social events and a growing city-based alumni network that advises Cahn staff and supports program expansion.

The staff has 5 full-time and 3 part-time members, in roles across program, district partnerships, fundraising, operations, and finance.

The Board of Directors provides significant financial, advisory, and networking support to the staff. Funding is sources from partner school districts earned revenue, foundations, and individuals.

For more information, see www.cahnfellowship.org.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising efforts across individual donors, foundations, and Partner City districts - key success factor #1
• Ensure exceptional program quality - key success factor #2
• Cultivate relationships with Partner City school district leadership - key success factor #3
• Direct financial management, marketing and communications efforts
• Sustain a collaborative, invigorating relationship with the Board of Directors and staff
• Travel approximately 20% of the time, with the remaining 80% conducted remotely

Qualifications

Leadership & Strategy

• Passion for public education
• Proven success leading and fundraising for a not-for-profit organization, preferably within public education
• Strong intellectual, analytical, and strategic thinking ability
• Ability to imagine and execute broad, far-reaching strategy, combined with a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and take on smaller tasks

Functional Skills

• Strong communication, financial, planning and marketing skills
• Keen eye for talent and effective, collaborative management capability
• Ability to build and sustain external relationships

Relevant Personal Experience

• Experience as a public-school teacher strongly preferred, as a principal, highly valuable

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $200,000-250,000, plus bonus based on meeting agreed-upon objectives

Benefits include contribution to health insurance and participation in 401K and 357b plans

To Apply

• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status.