Executive Director

State of Montana; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension/Retirement benefits

Job summary

Montana Board of Public Education in Helena seeks an Executive Director to lead agency decisions and drive strategic initiatives for Montana's public education system.

The role requires strong leadership, change-management, strategic planning, and public relations skills to advance educational outcomes statewide. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to public education and navigate legislative processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Public, Business, or Educational Administration; a Master's degree is preferred; and

Responsibilities

• Authorize the overall direction of strategic program initiatives and implement agency decisions.
• Manage administrative processes and personnel to support decision-making; ensure compliance with policies and procedures and federal and state requirements.
• Conduct research and analysis of educational issues and concerns to develop long-range strategic plans to implement decisions.
• Oversee the agency's operations and personnel budget.
• Direct and plan communication on behalf of the agency.
• Respond to inquiries from the media, professional organizations, and the public.
• Develop and manage research projects regarding teacher preparation, certification, accreditation, recruitment and retention.
• Monitor, evaluate, report on trends in public education.
• Develop and revise policies and procedures with the Legislature.
• Coordinate projects with education stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public relations

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Change management

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public, Business, or Educational Administration

Master's degree preferred

Four years of relevant experience with supervisory/management

Job description

Job Description - Executive Director (26142298)

Position Title:

Executive Director - ( 26142298 )

The Montana Board of Public Education is seeking a passionate, public service-oriented Executive Director, who can effectively implement Board decisions and promote successful public education outcomes for the State of Montana.

Montana Board of Public Education Overview

The Board of Public Education was created by the Montana Constitution of 1972 to exercise general supervision over the elementary and secondary schools of the state. The Board consists of seven non-salaried citizens, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to staggered seven-year terms.

Additional information about the Montana Board of Public Education can be found by visiting our About Us webpage HERE .

Mission Statement

The Board of Public Education has a mission statement as directed by the Montana Constitution, which states, "There is a board of public education to exercise general supervision over the public school system and such other public educational institutions as assigned by law". The Board of Public Education was established to supervise, serve, maintain, and strengthen Montana's system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools.

About this Opportunity

Job Overview

The Executive Director manages agency decisions for program proposals, determines overall direction for strategic initiatives, directs the organization and implementation of the agency, and promotes successful public education outcomes for the state of Montana.

The successful candidate must demonstrate a commitment to public education and strong leadership, change-management, strategic planning, and public relations skills.

This position is being readvertised and remains open until filled. Applications submitted prior to November 11, 2026, will be included in the next application review. Application reviews will take place weekly, thereafter, as needed.

The job duties for this position include the following:

Strategic Program Management

Authorizes the overall direction of strategic program initiatives and is responsible for the implementation of agency decisions of the Board of Public Education.

Manages multiple administrative processes and personnel to support the Board of Public Education's decision‑making processes, including ensuring compliance with policies and procedures and federal and state requirements.

Conducts research and analysis of educational issues and concerns, including those of interested parties, such as educators, parents, taxpayers, and students, to develop long-range strategic plans to successfully implement decisions.

Manages and has oversight over the agency's operations and personnel budget.

Responsible for authorizing, directing, and planning communication on behalf of the agency.

Responds directly to inquiries from the media, professional organizations, and the public.

Program and Policy Development and Management

Develops and manages research projects regarding teacher preparation, teacher certification, accreditation, recruitment and retention, and all other education related issues as directed either by the Board of Public Education or the Legislature.

Monitors, evaluates, integrates, and reports on national and statewide trends and emerging issues regarding public education.

Develops and revises policies and procedures, including updates to administrative rules or revising statutes, in conjunction with the Montana Legislature, as necessary.

Coordinates and facilitates significant projects on behalf of the agency involving education stakeholders and others.

Legislative and Public Relations

Responds to inquiries from the media, professional organizations and the public in supporting the Board's role and decisions.

Advocates for the Board of Public Education's positions during the Legislative Session and related processes.

Testifies at Legislative hearings on the estimated impacts of proposed legislation on public education and presents recommendations.

Proposes, plans, and presents education budgets, projects, audits, and programs during Legislative Sessions and Legislative Interim Committees.

Meets regularly with legislators to answer questions, provide information, and foster successful Legislative outcomes for public education.

Develops partnerships with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Superintendent of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the Governor's office, and other education leaders to promote successful working relationships between the Board of Public Education and education stakeholders.

Human Resources

Manages all office staff within the agency and identifies vacancies for office staff and the Superintendent of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, and leads the recruitment, interview, and selection processes.

Performs all management functions, including hiring, firing, performance management, discipline, work distribution, and employee development.

Supports and coordinates the management of seven Board members, one student representative, three ex-officio members, legal counsel to the Board of Public Education, and any administratively attached boards, councils or commissions.

Education, Experience and Licensing Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Public, Business, or Educational Administration; a Master's degree is preferred; and

Four years of job-related experience in teaching, school administration, or a closely related field, including two years of supervisory or management level experience.

Alternative combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing education, accreditation, and administration;

Knowledge of current issues and trends in the field of education;

Ability to develop and implement plans that meet established goals;

Strong leadership, change-management, and strategic planning skills;

Knowledge of personnel and budget management;

Knowledge and experience in public administration, public relations, and legislative processes;

Excellent relationship-building and communication skills;

Strong negotiation, analytical, problem-solving, and decision‑making skills;

Ability to function under pressure and manage conflicting points of view; and

Ability to demonstrate discretion, integrity, and fair‑mindedness.

Selection Process and Required Materials

A selection committee will review applications, conduct preliminary interviews, and recommend finalists to the Board of Public Education. Final interviews will be conducted during a Board of Public Education meeting. The meeting will be open to the public. Interested persons shall apply through the State of Montana Careers website and include the following documents:

A letter of application stating personal qualifications, experience, and reasons for interest in the position; and

A current resume.

Finalists will be required to submit contact information for references.

The selected candidate will need to successfully complete a criminal history fingerprint background check prior to hiring.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary: $

100,000.00 - 115,000.00 Yearly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible

• Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 10 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Board of Public Education Union : 000 - None

Posting Date

Nov 5, 2026, 11:39:35 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name : Jeff Plum | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.