Since 1988, the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), a coalition of organizations located in countries across the world, has been pioneering the use of the Internet and other innovative technologies to link youth worldwide in collaborative, project-based learning. Today, iEARN’s global network is active in more than thirty thousand schools and youth organizations across 140 countries. More than two million students are engaged in collaborative project work through iEARN. iEARN-USA, as a member of this powerful, international educational coalition, shares a mission to enable young people in the United States to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of the planet and all its people.
iEARN-USA is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director (ED) of iEARN-USA is responsible for day-to-day management of operations, financials, and staff development. S/he manages and works alongside the staff to create a productive and comfortable networking environment to engage with students in the United States and worldwide. The ED is responsible for pursuing and securing new revenue streams while crafting a new and innovative vision to drive the organization’s future development.
The ideal candidate should be a dynamic and creative leader with expertise in both U.S. and global education. The Executive Director will work closely with a variety of diverse stakeholders in order to identify, establish, and nurture effective partnerships to help expand the size and impact of the iEARN network. The Executive Director should be deeply invested in and knowledgeable about K-12 education in the United States and around the world, and committed to providing opportunities for teachers and students everywhere to learn with the world, not just about it. The position calls for a champion of education who can bring the people of the world closer together by improving academic skills. S/he must be a strategic and creative leader and an advocate for both the US organization and its wider mission. S/he must be an articulate and forceful spokesperson, capable of publicizing the importance of global, project-based learning by following and enhancing the established iEARN model. This position presents an exciting opportunity for a seasoned leader to join a strong, creative, and highly motivated team at a key moment in the organization’s development.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
- Motivate, develop, and mentor iEARN-USA staff.
- Identify opportunities for growth for the organization, initiate new, original programs, projects, and partnerships with other mission-aligned organizations.
- Act as a catalyst to iEARN’s development as an international coalition, expand the reach, scope, and impact of the network.
- Understand and clearly articulate the mission of iEARN-USA while cultivating a new, more dynamic vision for the international organization’s future development.
- Develop a results-driven work environment through the use of clear metrics to measure and demonstrate success in iEARN-USA.
- Be willing and able to travel extensively both within the United States and internationally to expand the reach of iEARN-USA and the international organization.
Internal Communications/Human Resources
- Cultivate a positive, highly motivated, and collaborative workplace environment while remaining both pragmatic and realistic about opportunities and obstacles for iEARN-USA.
- Be an effective liaison by fostering greater internal communication, engage with staff to identify growth opportunities and share their ideas with iEARN-USA Board members.
- Maintain close working contact with the iEARN-USA staff while travelling within the United States or internationally.
External Communications/Public Relations
- Articulate the importance of the national and international iEARN network and its work through a variety of media outlets, public events, and speaking opportunities; act as the organization’s key point of contact in the United States while helping staff to develop their own outreach capabilities.
- Develop the technical facility and encourage iEARN-USA Board, leadership, staff, and member teachers to build the organization’s national and international presence and reputation through social media and speaking opportunities.
- Ensure that iEARN.org, Collaboration Centre, and iEARN-USA sites use up to date best practices for networks of personal trust. Identify and pursue partnerships and collaborative initiatives with other mission-aligned organizations.
- Attend, and help to support, the yearly international iEARN conference.
Financial Management
- Develop the annual budget for iEARN-USA and report to the Board to ensure compliance with all financial reporting and audit guidelines.
- Implement organization’s business plan and initiate new revenue streams, either through operations or donors.
- Publicize the activities and mission of the organization to private and public donors to secure additional funding for future programming.
Fundraising and Development
- Provide strategies to the Board for expanding fund-raising efforts and increasing outgoing grant proposals to support ongoing operations and finance new operational initiatives.
- Create benchmarks for success; set clear goals and maintain a rubric or other metric for measuring and communicating the success of the organization.
- Foster relationships with current and potential iEARN funders and donors.
Board Governance
- Work closely with Board members, leadership, and junior staff to set new and innovative strategic direction for the organization.
- Attend Board meetings as required and provide monthly reports regarding operations and finance with all staff members.
- Assist with recruitment and orientation of new Board members.
Qualifications
Non-Profit Management
- Proven management and leadership skills with the ability to galvanize and build strong teams as well as develop and mentor staff.
- Strong internal communications skills, both inside the office and communicating remotely; especially when communicating with staff remotely using technological tools ranging from email and phone to video conferencing with screen sharing.
- Track record of successful organizational change and/or results-driven institutional advancement.
- Experience working with and building a nonprofit Board.
- History of effective program planning and the ability to implement strategic vision.
Education Experience
- 10 years management experience in an organization focused on education, preferably K-12.
- Experience with online learning platforms.
- Experience with education-focused international collaborations and networks.
- Masters Degree preferred in any program related to education: Masters in Education, Masters in Public Education/Health, Masters in Public Administration, International Development, Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in education, etc.
Revenue, Fundraising and Development
- Prior success in fundraising with a history of building strong donor relationships.
- Demonstrated business acumen, experience as an effective entrepreneur, whether in a for-profit or not for profit environment.
- Experience generating revenues in a non-profit organization.
- Experience identifying, securing, and managing government grants and contracts, as well as corporate sponsorship partnerships.
Project Development
- Experience in program management, expansion, and growth for a fast-moving, complex and global organization.
- Experience with marketing and building effective communications strategies.
- Experience with developing and launching innovative, new business and program activities.
Business Management
- Strong financial acumen and budget management experience including the ability to operate on tight margins.
- Experience creating results driven management systems including data models and continuous quality improvement techniques.
- Management experience driving tangible mission-related and business results.
Community Engagement
- Experience developing a strong community presence with an ability to speak to a variety of constituents and diverse parties, particularly within the educational community.
- History of building and maintaining international partnerships and collaborations.
- Demonstrated political savvy and expertise in advocacy, and public policy work on the local, state, national, and even international level.
- Experience as a spokesperson for a national and/or international organization.
- International travel and work experience.
Technological Capability
- Knowledge of and established capability with modern classroom technologies, online marketing and fundraising platforms, social media, and web-based communication and productivity tools.
- Experience with formal and informal educational learning platforms.
- Experience using innovative technology to advance an organization’s mission and success.
Compensation
The successful candidate will be offered a competitive compensation package.
Applicants should reply with a resume and cover letter that references their experience in relation to the qualifications listed in the job description. No phone inquiries will be accepted, all inquiries and resumes should be submitted via email to [email protected]
