Senior Director, Seattle Teacher Residency

Organization: Alliance for Education

Job Title: Senior Director, Seattle Teacher Residency

Classification: Regular, full-time, exempt

Reports To: Vice President of Impact

Location: Hybrid

This position is based in downtown Seattle with the flexibility of hybrid work options. To support strong collaboration, regular in-person participation is expected for Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) and Alliance for Education (AFE) team meetings.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATION

Founded in 1995, the Alliance for Education (AFE) is an independent non-profit committed to excellence in education by advancing equity and educational justice so that all students in Seattle Public Schools (SPS) receive an excellent and equitable education and are provided with the opportunity to reach their full potential. As Seattle’s only local education fund, AFE acts as an independent catalyst, convener, and trusted partner, channeling resources, and expertise toward critical educational needs. Through its extensive partnerships, AFE has generated over $200 million in community support.

Our Vision:

A deeply invested community that collectively ensures all Seattle Public Schools students experience a sense of belonging, receive an equitable education, and achieve their fullest potential.

Our Work (Four Pillars):

• Innovation: Implementing effective, equity-driven programs in partnership with SPS, such as:
  • Right Now Needs Fund – Provides immediate financial assistance to address basic needs across all 106 Seattle public schools.
  • Seattle Teacher Residency – A comprehensive teacher preparation program enhancing teacher diversity and retention in Title I schools.
• Investment: Mobilizing funds toward strategies that advance racial equity and educational justice, including the establishment of the Office of African American Male Achievement.
• Collaboration: Convening stakeholders region-wide, from civic leaders to educators, to collectively invest in impactful initiatives.
• Storytelling: Amplifying the voice of Seattle Public Schools through targeted, strategic communications to inspire engagement and support

Program Overview: Seattle Teacher Residency (STR)

The Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) is a nationally recognized teacher preparation program designed to recruit, prepare, and retain equity-centered, diverse educators in Seattle Public Schools, especially in Title I elementary schools. STR combines a year-long clinical teaching experience with master's-level coursework through the University of Washington’s College of Education. The program prioritizes teacher diversity and long-term commitment to Seattle’s public education system. Over 50% of STR graduates identify as people of color—well above the district average.

STR is a unique partnership among four institutions: Alliance for Education (managing partner), Seattle Public Schools (SPS), University of Washington College of Education (UWCOE), and Seattle Education Association (SEA).

Learn more at: www.seattleteacherresidency.org

We Encourage You to Apply

At the Alliance for Education, we know that a diverse and inclusive workforce makes us a better, more effective, more equitable organization. As we strive continually to be that organization, we encourage people from all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and experiences to apply for this role.

We recognize that qualified candidates can have backgrounds less traditional to our field of work, and that’s okay. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted through the Chamber’s official job portal; submissions via other methods will not be considered. To receive priority consideration, please apply by August 27, 2025. The position will remain open until filled.

Join the Alliance for Education as Senior Director of Seattle Teacher Residency!

The Alliance for Education is hiring Seattle Teacher Residency (STR) Senior Director to drive the strategic direction of the Seattle Teacher Residency. This program is a nationally recognized program that prepares and supports exceptional educators to serve within Seattle Public Schools.

You will operate at the crossroads of systems change, community collaboration and innovation, working alongside partners like Seattle Public Schools, the University of Washington and local education leaders. If you are ready to amplify impact, lead with purpose, and build a more just future in public education, this is the role.

Reporting to the Vice President of Impact, the Senior Director will lead a dynamic team, cultivate deep partnerships with the University of Washington, Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Education Association, and philanthropic partners, and ensuring the STR program remains a model of innovation and impact in urban teacher education.

What You Will Do:

Programmatic Leadership

• Set program goals and lead design and implementation using equity-centered, research-based strategies to drive residence success
• Co-lead STR team meetings and foster a collaborative team culture in partnership with the Deputy Director
• Collaborate with partner institutions (UW, SPS, SEA) to ensure cohesive delivery of program components.
• Monitor and adapt program performance to meet the evolving needs of SPS classrooms and communities.

Curriculum and Instructional Oversight

• Ensure alignment of STR coursework with University of Washington (UW) policy, district initiatives, and state standards/certification criteria.
• Lead instructional team in cross-program alignment, with a focus on integrating equity-centered and culturally responsive practices.
• Facilitate, co-plan, and co-teach seminar courses to bridge theory and practice in a supportive learning environment.

Partnership and Community Engagement

• Build and steward strategic relationships with core partners, including SPS, UW, the Seattle Education Association (SEA), and community-based organizations.
• Work closely with UW Teacher Education Pathway Directors and the Assistant Dean to advance a shared mission.
• Represent STR at local and national levels, including participation in national residency networks such as the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR).
• Serve as a public-facing ambassador for STR and the Alliance for Education.

Organizational Strategy and Culture

• Serve as a member of the Alliance for Education’s Leadership Team, contributing to organization-wide strategy, equity learning, and culture building.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to align STR with Alliance mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Engage the Alliance Board in understanding STR’s outcomes and impact.

Fundraising and Financial Management

• Develop the STR program and grant budgets in partnership with the Alliance’s Finance Team
• Collaborate with Advancement to steward funders, contribute to proposals and reports, and lead site visits.
• Negotiate cost-sharing agreements with partners.

Core Essential Functions:

• Lead the program and execute company-wide initiatives with good judgment and collaboration.
• Participate in and lead in-person and virtual meetings, trainings, and events.
• Lead with a problem solving, solutions-oriented approach in a fast-paced environment.
• Reflect the organization’s mission and core values with professionalism and maturity.
• Maintain punctual and regular attendance.
• Manage the timely completion of tasks and assignments, proactively communicating status and obstacles.
• Ensure effective task management and delegation to meet due dates.
• Communicate professionally and timely with stakeholders.
• Handle challenging interactions calmly and clearly, representing the values of both the Chamber and the Alliance for Education.
• The ability to travel regionally and locally to meet with stakeholders.

What Success Looks Like in Year One:

• Launch a refreshed Memorandum of Agreement in collaboration with core partners.
• Increase alignment between STR curriculum and SPS instructional priorities.
• Strengthening resident and mentor support systems through culturally responsive and equity-centered practices.
• Expand philanthropic partnerships in collaboration with Advancement team.
• Reinforce STR’s national visibility through strategic network engagement.

What You Bring to the Role:

Required:

• Master’s degree in education
• Ability to travel locally and/or nationally for meetings with STR partners e.g., Seattle Public Schools, University of Washington, community organizations) using reliable transportation options
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Deep and demonstrated commitment to public education
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred:

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in K-12 & higher education.
• Doctoral Degree in Education (Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in Education or EdD)
• 3+ years of experience with teacher preparation
• Experience in nonprofit management (e.g., leadership, program oversight, budget management, and cross-departmental or stakeholder collaboration)
• Experience managing large budgets and grants in public institutions.

Employment Details

The Alliance for Education is affiliated with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; staff members of the Alliance are officially employees of the Chamber and participate in Chamber benefit plans.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $99,840 - $135,000 annually, based on job-related experience and skills. The Chamber provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including but not restricted to:

We Got You Covered – Benefits & Perks

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage, employer pay 96% of the employee premium, including $0 prescriptions and appointments
• 401(k) and Roth Retirement Accounts, with Employer Match of up to 6%
• Generous Holiday and Paid Time Off Schedule, including Community Service leave and winter closure
• Mindfulness and Wellness Resources
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Company-sponsored ORCA Card
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Parental Leave
• EAP Membership
• Additional Voluntary Benefits, including Long-term Disability Insurance, Personal Accident insurance, and Pet Insurance
• Woodland Park Zoo Discount
• SecureSave Workplace Savings Program with Optional $5 Semi-Monthly Employer Match
• Passport Corporate Discount Membership
• Norton LifeLock Benefit Solutions

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

We recognize the value of the Chamber and our affiliate organizations and programs reflecting the diversity of our community and are intentionally and actively seeking out applications from a variety of backgrounds.

The Chamber is an equal opportunity employer. All employees and potential employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, and, if necessary, disciplined without regard to sex, race, religion, creed, caste, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political ideology or activity, disability, honorably discharged veteran, or military status. All applicants are carefully screened, and full consideration is given to their training, education, skills, aptitudes, experience, and previous work record. In addition, the Chamber does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information in its employment related policies and practices, including coverage under its health benefits program.