NJASA Executive Director

New Jersey Association of School Administrators; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 220,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA). This full-time role provides strategic, operational, financial, and statewide leadership for the Association.

The Executive Director serves as a highly visible advocate, strategist, relationship builder, and voice for New Jersey public education, advancing NJASA's mission, strengthening member engagement and professional support, and positioning the Association to influence

Responsibilities

• Lead NJASA's strategic direction, daily operations, staff, financial sustainability, governance support, and organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a strong, credible statewide voice for public education and school leaders; address difficult issues and challenge policies when necessary.
• Cultivate bipartisan relationships with legislators, the Governor's Office, NJDOE, and other key stakeholders, influencing policy before decisions are final.
• Strengthen member engagement through regular communication, regional outreach, district visits, professional learning, leadership development, mentoring, and member support.
• Build coalitions with NJEA, NJSBA, educational associations, higher education, business and community organizations.

Skills

Fearless advocacy

Policy influence

Strategic leadership

Financial leadership

Nonpartisan communication

Job description

Position Overview

The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA). This full-time role provides strategic, operational, financial, and statewide leadership for the Association. The Executive Director serves as a highly visible advocate, strategist, relationship builder, and voice for New Jersey public education, advancing NJASA's mission, strengthening member engagement and professional support, and positioning the Association to influence policy and anticipate emerging challenges.

Application Deadline: October 20, 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Lead NJASA's strategic direction, daily operations, staff, financial sustainability, governance support, and organizational effectiveness.
• Serve as a strong, credible statewide voice for public education and school leaders; address difficult issues and challenge policies when necessary with confidence, persistence, and diplomacy.
• Cultivate bipartisan relationships with legislators, the Governor's Office, NJDOE, and other key stakeholders, and position NJASA to influence policy before decisions are finalized.
• Strengthen member engagement through regular communication, regional outreach, district visits, professional learning, leadership development, mentoring, and responsive member support.
• Build and sustain productive coalitions with NJEA, NJSBA, educational associations, higher education, business and community organizations, and other partners across differing perspectives.
• Anticipate emerging issues and position NJASA as a thought leader on school funding, health care, special education, staffing, artificial intelligence, mandates, governance, and public trust.
• Clearly articulate NJASA's positions, strengthen members' collective voice, and tell the story of New Jersey public education.
• Advance innovation and continuous improvement while ensuring NJASA remains grounded in the practical realities of school and district leadership.

Core Competencies

• Fearless advocacy and policy influence
• Political acumen and nonpartisan strategy
• Strategic, organizational, and financial leadership
• Credibility in New Jersey public education and understanding of district leadership
• Relationship and coalition building across differing perspectives
• Visible, accessible, and member-centered leadership
• Exceptional communication, public presence, and storytelling
• Collaborative leadership, diplomacy, consensus building, and sound judgment
• Future-focused thinking grounded in educational practice and the realities of school leadership

Leadership Balance:

Fierce yet diplomatic; fearless yet collaborative; politically astute yet nonpartisan; innovative yet grounded in educational practice; member-centered yet willing to make difficult decisions; and a powerful advocate who can also build consensus.

Salary/Compensation: $220,000 - $250,000 per year