Chief External Affairs and Development Officer

The National Education Equity Lab is a rapidly scaling education justice non-profit that seeks to propel economic mobility by democratizing access to higher education. We deliver and support actual college credit-bearing courses from our nation’s top universities (Howard, Stanford, Wharton, Spelman, Brown, Wesleyan, Dartmouth, and more) into teacher-led high school classrooms in low-income, Title 1 high schools - at no cost to students. Since our inception in 2019, we have reached over 40,000 scholars from 150 districts in 32 states and are on track to serve 1 million scholars within the next decade.

We are a passionate team of former education and civil rights leaders, teachers, policy-wonks, and consultants–with an active board, including former U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman; University of Pennsylvania Professor, Angela Duckworth; CEO of the Common App, Jenny Rickard; and former Howard University President, Dr. Wayne Frederick.

To learn more about our mission and our work, please read this New York Times front-page feature, this Forbes article, or just click this 3 minute video clip of the experts (our scholars!) discussing the impact of this opportunity with Judge Ann Claire Williams, Ret., trustee, Carnegie Corporation of New York.

THE ROLE

The Chief External Affairs and Development Officer, a top C-Suite position that reports directly to the CEO, is responsible for driving strategic growth through fundraising and external communications. This leader will spearhead targeted fundraising efforts while ensuring that our story and impact are communicated powerfully to stakeholders across the country. Your skills and expertise will be leveraged to:

• Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to raise philanthropic donations to support our growing organization and mission.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors, including foundations, corporate partners, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts, personally managing key relationships.
• Oversee grant proposal development, submissions, reporting, and donor communications.
• Host events to engage individual contributors, thought leaders, and institutional partners in our efforts.
• Powerfully amplify the story of the Lab and our scholars by improving the Lab’s external messaging, brand identity, and digital presence.
• Lead development and communications teams and ensure alignment on goals, systems, and deliverables.

THE QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for someone who has experience with most or all of the following:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in fundraising and communications, with significant leadership experience.
• Prior track record of strategically raising at least $5 million annually.
• Exceptional relationship-building, storytelling, and public speaking skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and organizational leadership.
• Experience managing and mentoring high-performing teams.
• Enjoys building new models, organizations, and social justice efforts – and implementing them successfully.
• Deep commitment to educational equity and social justice.

THE SALARY

The Chief and External Affairs and Development Officer role offers a competitive compensation package ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, with flexibility in the top range depending on past experience, track record, and other qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is also available.

THE TEAM

The Chief External Affairs and Development Office will join a fast-paced team of equity warriors committed to providing opportunities for students who have historically and systemically been left out of opportunities. This position will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Our organization is 100% remote, with team gatherings throughout the year, and opportunities to travel. Applicants do not need to live in the state of New York.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter on our website. This is an active national search. You will be notified promptly if you are being considered for this position.

Thank you for your interest in propelling opportunities!

It is the policy of the National Education Equity Lab not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. We will take specific action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status. Such action shall include, but not be limited to the following: recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other Terms and Conditions of Employment except as provided by law.