Position Overview

The inaugural Executive Director of the Mountaineer Charter School Alliance will lead a newly-formed organization that will catalyze the development and sustainability of public charter schools in West Virginia. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to supporting charter schools and experience in issue advocacy, education reform, or public policy. The Executive Director will lead and manage the organization’s strategic initiatives, with a focus on legislative advocacy, fundraising, and providing technical assistance to member schools. This individual will be responsible for helping to shape public policy, managing a contract lobbyist, and supporting charter schools in navigating regulatory and operational challenges.

The Mountaineer Charter School Alliance was formed in 2024 by charter school advocates. As a new organization, the Executive Director will have significant flexibility to build a team and the organizational capabilities over time. We seek a candidate who is innovative and has experience in small, growing organizations. The Executive Director will operate independently and lead the charter school movement in West Virginia.

The Executive Director will be based in a virtual office in West Virginia and travel frequently to the state’s capital, Charleston.

Critical Infrastructure

There is significant support in place for the Executive Director as he/she launches and builds the organization.

The Mountaineer Charter School Alliance steering committee, which includes proven education reform leaders from around the state and country, will provide critical guidance and assistance to the Executive Director as he/she grows the organization.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools will also serve as a key ally to the organization, helping with financial resources, technical issues, and connections to state charter school association leaders across the country.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Legislative Advocacy
   • Work closely with the Alliance’s contract lobbyist to develop an advocacy strategy and facilitate relationship-building with state legislators and other key policymakers.
   • Develop and maintain strong relationships with state legislators, government officials, charter school authorizers, and member schools.
   • Monitor and analyze state policy developments affecting charter schools and communicate key changes to association members.
   • Represent the association at public hearings, legislative sessions, and other policy-making forums to articulate the needs and priorities of charter schools.
2. Strategic Leadership
   • Lead the organization’s long-term strategic planning efforts, ensuring alignment with the mission and the evolving needs of the charter school community.
   • Collaborate with the board of directors to develop and implement policies and initiatives that strengthen the charter school movement.
   • Serve as the public face of the association, representing it in media appearances, conferences, and coalition-building efforts with education and advocacy organizations.
3. Fundraising
   • Design and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the association’s programs and initiatives.
   • Cultivate relationships with foundations, donors, and corporate sponsors to secure financial resources for advocacy, technical assistance, and member services.
   • Oversee grant writing and reporting processes to ensure funding goals are met.
4. External Relations
   • Develop a unified narrative and vision for the charter sector and drive coordinated and proactive external communications to educate the public and positively influence public opinion and perception of the charter sector.
   • Build public awareness and support for charter schools throughout the state.
5. Membership Engagement and Support
   • Build strong relationships with charter school leaders, ensuring the association remains responsive to their needs.
   • Provide guidance and support to member schools on governance, compliance, and operational challenges.
   • Organize training, webinars, and workshops to assist schools in navigating regulatory requirements and improving educational outcomes.
   • Serve as a resource for best practices in charter school operations, innovation, and reform efforts.
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Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience, including a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to charter schooling as a strategy for improving educational options.
• Proven success in issue advocacy.
• Familiarity with the legislative process and demonstrated ability to influence policy decisions strongly preferred.
• Self-starter mentality with the ability to build an organization from the bottom up. Experience in a start-up environment preferred but not required.
• Ability to travel as needed for advocacy and outreach efforts (expected travel: 25%, mostly in-state).
• Familiarity with state education laws and regulations preferred.
• Experience working with charter schools in a policy, advocacy, or operational context.
• Experience in fundraising and donor relations preferred.
• Experience with non-profit management, governance, and finance preferred.
• Experience working with boards of directors and managing direct reports preferred.
• Ability to develop and manage a budget, including efficient resource utilization.
• Experience in/knowledge of West Virginia helpful but not required.

Compensation

The projected salary range for this role is $75,000-$100,000, contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate. We are also willing to explore higher compensation for an exceptional candidate or a lower range for a promising, less experienced candidate.

The benefits package will be determined by the incoming Executive Director.

Reporting

The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and will manage staff hired as the team grows.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

• A cover letter explaining why Mountaineer Charter School Alliance’s mission resonates with you, why you’re a fit for this role (touching on all five of the Key Responsibilities), your salary requirements, and your location preference within West Virginia
• Résumé

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link:
https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/

Questions can be directed to Claire Kittle Dixon, Executive Director of Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].

Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, education freedom, and limited regulation.