Mississippi Charter Schools Association

Executive Director Job Description

The Mississippi Charter Schools Association (MCSA) serves as the leading voice and support organization for charter schools across Mississippi, working to ensure that all families have access to high-quality public education options. As the sector continues to grow and evolve, MCSA plays a crucial role in advocating for policies that promote excellence, providing operational support to schools, and building strong relationships with communities and stakeholders throughout the state.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Director to lead MCSA into its next chapter of impact and growth. The Executive Director will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen Mississippi's charter school sector through policy advocacy, school support, community engagement, and coalition building. This leader will work closely with school operators, the state authorizer, policymakers, and community partners to create conditions that enable charter schools to thrive while maintaining high standards of quality. The ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of education policy, proven leadership experience, and the ability to build strong relationships across diverse constituencies. This is an exceptional opportunity for a passionate advocate to shape the future of public education in Mississippi.

Responsibilities

• Build a strategy and develop financial and programmatic resources that member schools can access to support high quality schools. This includes both year-zero and one, school launch supports, and ongoing operational support.

• Lead the communications work to support schools, and build external communications, public relations, and marketing channels that build awareness of the value of charter schools in Mississippi.

• Work with the board, charter school authorizing agency, and school leaders to set priorities to strengthen, protect and grow a high-quality charter sector in Mississippi.

• Create a strategy to advocate for the policy conditions necessary to promote school autonomy and quality at all relevant levels of government.

• Create a strategy and implementation plan to support authorizer relations, improve the regulatory climate for the sector, and provide necessary legal supports to schools when appropriate

• Create an organizational budget and fundraising plan.

• Work with the existing board of directors to recruit and develop new members, create strong governance policy and practice, and facilitate all necessary actions and meetings.

• Act as a spokesperson on behalf of the Mississippi Charter Sector as needed.

• Build a strategy and a fundraise a pool of resources to support schools directly to improve educational quality and enroll students.

• Lead the creation of partnerships and community coalitions to support the charter sector.

• Act as primary convener of charter school community.

Qualifications

• Experienced leader with the ability to manage complex teams, work streams, and departments.

• Experience setting strategy and holding teams accountable to goals.

• Strong ability to compellingly communicate organizational priorities and complex policy issues.

• Experience crafting key messages and tailoring them to diverse audiences.

• Strong executive presence; comfortable being the face of the organization in positive and negative contexts before a wide variety of stakeholders/constituencies.

• Experience advocating for an agenda or an interest in a variety of professional contexts.

• Strong understanding of how to design and execute strategies that build and influence power, create alliances, and apply political pressure.

• Excellent ability to build relationships, trust, and rapport with a range of individuals.

• Experience in raising philanthropic funds to support a non-profit mission.

• Experience with education policy and policy makers is required, with a strong preference for previous charter school experience.

• Knowledge of the Mississippi education and/or political landscape is required.

Location and Timing

This full-time position is available as soon as a qualified candidate is identified, the start date of which will be determined between the two parties. Mississippi residence required within 120-days of hire. Periodic travel within the state is required; national travel to represent the sector necessary at times.

Compensation

MCSA offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, including base salary, bonus, health, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement contributions, and paid time off.

To apply please forward a brief letter of interest and resume to kristoffer@ampersandeducation.org.

This position offers a starting base salary of up to $150,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This starting salary is supported by robust benefits, the ability to earn performance incentives, and the possibility of long-term growth for an exceptional leader.

Additionally, the board may consider a signing bonus and/or moving allowance on a case-by-case basis.

June 15th deadline for resumes.