About Center for Powerful Public Schools 

Founded in 2003 as the LA Small Schools Center, Center for Powerful Public Schools (CPPS) is a highly-respected voice and advocate for public school reform and student equity across California. Guided by an unwavering commitment to social justice,  educational equity, and systems change, the CPPS mission is to create and sustain powerful public schools that prepare every student for college, career, and life. CPPS has an operating budget of $1.2 million and employs four staff and a team of consultants. 

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In 2022, Speak UP Foundation, a parent support and advocacy organization, joined forces with the Center to strengthen our work in school communities and expand our advocacy for equity, access, and community voice in education.

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CPPS enacts its mission and values by supporting both educators and school communities. We provide:  

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I. High-leverage, customized, responsive education products and consultancy services that: 

• Serve high-needs communities, schools, and school districts exclusively

• Ignite and support equitable, 360° school transformation

• Build educator capacity to effectively implement academic content, social-emotional development, career-technical education, and work-based learning, including Linked Learning 

II. Advocacy and services that build parent and community voice for powerful public schools that:

• Strengthen relationships between school personnel and parents and caregivers.

• Support parents and community with tools and knowledge to advocate for children and  communities at their school sites, school districts, and with elected representatives

• Amplify parent and community voice to improve equity and excellence in public education and leverage system change

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For more information about Center for Powerful Public Schools visit www.powerfuled.org

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Chief Executive Officer, Center for Powerful Public Schools  

The Center seeks a dynamic, equity-focused, transformational, and visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead CPPS into its next generation of impact in public schools. The new leader will have the opportunity and challenge to articulate a unique vision of educational reform that demonstrates powerful outcomes when school support services and community advocacy interact strategically.

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Reporting to the Center Board of Directors, the CEO will be an experienced leader who has a demonstrated track record of working effectively with the Board, staff, and key partners to ensure the organization is a diverse, equitable, and inclusive model for effective educational reform and fulfills its mission through programs, services, and educational advocacy. The CEO will cultivate and sustain strong collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, partners, funders, government agencies, and elected officials, branding and promoting the organization to the California community. The Chief Executive Officer will share the Center’s vision of an educational system in which empowered communities, schools, and educators create equitable, student-centered learning environments where every young person thrives.  

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Priorities and  Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Planning

• In conjunction with the Board and staff, conduct a comprehensive assessment of CPPS, including a review of operations, financials, and program effectiveness, and set a benchmark of metrics to measure and evaluate against moving forward

• Build on the current strategic plan to develop a 2024-27 plan focused on capacity-building and core programs and services that provide financial stability

• Monitor organizational performance data to ensure stated objectives are met and goals achieved

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Fund Development and Financial Management

• Lead CPPS’s fund development activities to diversify fundraising channels such as grants, corporate partnerships, events, and online campaigns and lead donor cultivation and stewardship building and maintaining relationships with donors through personalized communication, acknowledgment, and appreciation.

• Leverage existing relationships and engage direct staff/consultants in securing grants, contracts, and donations from funding sources including: fee-for-service contracts, foundations, corporations, government, educational partners, and individuals while actively cultivating and diversifying CPPS’s revenue base. 

• Work with staff and the Board Finance Committee to prepare a comprehensive budget and financial plan for the organization; administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization;  approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the board.

• Manage organizational program data, audits, and financial and organizational reviews

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Organizational Leadership

• Serve as the face of the organization, as a recognized thought leader, influencer, and advocate for educational equity, reform initiatives, and innovative programs and services

• Represent and maintain the Center’s strong organizational position in relation to key educational equity issues and trends impacting CPPS’s constituency that promotes trust, leadership, and operational excellence in the educational reform movement

• Ensure that CPPS’s systems, programs, and procedures are reflective of equitable and inclusive best practices and initiate/monitor rigorous program evaluation processes

• Recruit and develop staffing necessary to carry out the organization’s vision, programs, and service objectives

• Provide guidance, staff development, training, and interactive evaluations to ensure that staff are meeting objectives and serving clients effectively

• Foster an environment that promotes staff feedback, innovation, and open dialogue

 

Board Relations

• Maintain regular and effective communication with the Board of Directors

• Work with the Board to recruit and engage new members, provide board education and regularly update the board on organizational development issues,  opportunities, and challenges

• Serve on board finance, development and governance committees

• Generate program and financial reports for board meetings and provide them in a timely manner

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Qualifications and Abilities 

The Chief Executive Officer must possess a track record of superior performance, passion, and leadership in public student-centered school reform focused on equity and excellence. Ideal candidates will have: 

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• Minimum of 6-8 years of executive leadership with progressively responsible experience in non-profit management; education administrator or program director; foundation educational program officer; or other closely related position

• A Master’s or Doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• An established track record of leading fundraising campaigns with annual revenue of $1 million 

• Demonstrated experience in successful program management, fund development and management, and fiscal administration

• Demonstrated track record in securing fee-for-service contracts, relationship management, and data collection and reporting.

• Strong advocacy and public policy development expertise with an established network and knowledge of the complex education landscape in California, including knowledge of education policy, relationships with key decision-makers and civic leaders

• Effective leadership and team management skills.

• Results-oriented, data and outcome-driven, energetic, persuasive, and creative

• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship development skills

• Ability to motivate and manage personnel by providing meaningful, timely performance expectations, monitoring, and feedback. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated presentation abilities

• Computer and social media literacy

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Application and Hiring

We are looking forward to reviewing your application! To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter of interest to careers@powerfuled.org. The letter of interest should outline why you are interested in joining CPPS, your relevant accomplishments in both education reform and fund development and the key attributes you would bring to this position.

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The position is open until filled. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Special consideration will be given to applications received by April 30, 2024.

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Confidential inquiries are encouraged and can be emailed to: Jeanne Fauci via careers@powerfuled.org

 

Compensation and Benefits 

The CEO position offers a starting salary of $165,000-$185,000 commensurate with experience and is eligible for annual performance bonuses. Benefits include employer-paid medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, retirement plan, vacation, sick days, and holidays, and professional development opportunities. Located in California, this position can be remote/hybrid with monthly travel to Los Angeles.

 

Center for Powerful Public Schools is an equal-opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.

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