Executive Director

Massachusetts Nonprofit Network; United States; Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS seeks a strategic, politically savvy public education advocate and leader to serve as Executive Director. This full‑time hybrid role guides CPS strategy, operations and statewide advocacy in Massachusetts.

This senior position requires strong communication skills, deep knowledge of MA public education policy, and experience navigating complex policy environments, with a salary starting at $70,000 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years experience in political strategy, public policy, campaigns, or advocacy.
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience.
• Strong strategic judgment, writing and communication skills, and executive presence.
• Commitment to public education and education justice.

Responsibilities

• Design and carry out strategies aligned with CPS mission and priorities; keep the e-board apprised of significant developments; plan and facilitate e-board meetings.
• Represent CPS in coalitions, the legislature, the media and public forums.
• Oversee advocacy, communications, budgeting, and compliance with the e-board.
• Direct strategies on key public education issues including funding, assessment and accountability, privatization and AI.
• Engage high‑capacity donors and political supporters.
• Plan and implement membership development strategy.

Skills

Political strategy

Public policy

Campaigns

Advocacy

Job description

Public schools are under attack. Help us fight back! CPS seeks a strategic, politically savvy, passionate public education advocate and leader to serve as Executive Director.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead CPS, a longstanding, trusted statewide public education advocacy organization, founded in 1982, that has been part of many important, successful campaigns to promote, preserve and protect public education in MA. We’ve fought for adequate and equitable public schools funding, against privatization of public education and for better forms of assessment of student learning and school quality.

This executive helps guide the organization’s strategy, oversees the operations and governance, and leads statewide efforts to support public education in MA. The role requires a passion for public education and understanding of its role in our democracy, deep knowledge of the MA public education policy landscape and the players in government, labor, administration and advocacy, strong communication skills, and experience navigating complex policy and advocacy environments.

This is a full-time, salaried position. It is hybrid, combining remote work with required in-person attendance at programs, meetings, events and other activities. Some evening and weekend hours are necessary. Salary range starts at $70,000, plus benefits, depending on experience.

Your Day to Day:

Strategic & Political Leadership

• With the CPS Executive Board (e-board), design and carry out strategies aligned with the CPS mission and priorities; keep the e-board apprised of all significant developments; plan and facilitate e-board meetings.
• Represent CPS in coalitions, the legislature, the media and public forums.
• With the e-board, oversee advocacy, communications, budgeting, and compliance.
• Partner with the CPS Board President to address timely questions, decisions, dilemmas, and issues.
• Chair board nominating committee and onboard new board members.
• With support from bookkeeping consultants, ensure compliance with IRS, campaign finance, and lobbying regulations.

Legislative & Government Relations

• Direct strategies on key public education issues including funding, assessment and accountability, privatization and the looming issue of AI.
• Maintain relationships with our allied organizations, including teachers unions, Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance (MEJA), MassBudget, and key State House stakeholders.
• With e-board and treasurer, develop and implement a c3 fundraising strategy.
• Engage high‑capacity donors and political supporters.
• With e-board, plan and implement membership development strategy.

Fundraising & Capacity Building

• Other duties:
  • Write, edit and publish News You Can Use Newsletter.
  • Maintain and update subscriber list.
  • Maintain and update website and social media.
  • Manage communications to active members via CPS listserv
  • Schedule, chair and develop agenda for bi-monthly e-board meetings, and quarterly board meetings.
  • Schedule, chair and develop agenda for working groups (those not chaired by other e-board members).

Qualifications required

• 3+ years experience in political strategy, public policy, campaigns, or advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience with 501(c)(3) or campaign operations.
• Grant-writing and fundraising experience.
• Strong strategic judgment, writing and communication skills, and executive presence.
• Commitment to public education and education justice.

Qualifications preferred

• Experience supervising staff and volunteers.
• Strategic planning.
• Established credibility within the Massachusetts political landscape.