Alameda, CA

 

THE PHILLIPS ACADEMY

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ABOUT THE PHILLIPS ACADEMY

Founded over 50 years ago, The Phillips Academy (TPA) is a WASC accredited non-public school serving middle and high school special education students from the greater San Francisco Bay Area. With approximately 35 staff members and a $3.7 million budget, TPA attests that students do their best when they have a voice in their education. At TPA, students make significant progress in achieving their educational and social-emotional goals.

POSITION DESCRIPTION (SEE CANDIDATE PROFILE) 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director of The Phillips Academy is responsible for the overall strategy and success of the organization. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator, strategist, and achiever with previous success in the areas of governance, fundraising, contract expansion and education.

As a visionary and collaborative leader, the Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors, educational staff, clinical staff, and parents to advance each student’s educational goals, thus advancing the school’s overall strategic vision. Working with a leadership team comprised of the School Principal, Clinical Director and Business Manager, the Executive Director provides full oversight of all academic, clinical, and business matters of the school. 

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE:

Leadership and Strategy

  • Responsible for overall leadership of the organization including operations, programming, partnerships, advocacy, fundraising, finances, strategic planning and diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
  • Works in partnership with the Board to develop a strategic plan that aligns programs with TPA values, mission, vision, and long-term goals.
  • Identifies and informs the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization through regular communication and accurate reporting.
  • In conjunction with the administrative team, measures key programming metrics relevant to the field and useful in achieving program excellence.
  • Works with Board leadership to develop and implement ongoing strategies that support Board recruitment and engagement.
  • Develop, review, and evaluate adherence to educational and clinical policies and procedures to ensure best practices, and staff and student well-being.
  • Ensures compliance with California Department of Education (CDE) requirements for non- public schools.
  • Ensures that practices that promote the school’s WASC accreditation are followed, including ensuring that the school wide action plan is implemented and achieved.

Finance and Fund Development

  • In collaboration with the Board of Directors, leads all fund development efforts.
  • Works with the Business Manager to develop an annual budget, provide monthly financials, and ensures the timely completion of required audits and financial reporting.
  • Collaborates with the Business Manager to establish a financial strategy that ensures sustainability, long-term viability, healthy cash flow and adequate reserves.
  • Cultivates fiscally sustainable relationships with contract partners, foundations, corporations, major donors, and prospects, taking a leadership role in developing donor engagement strategies.
  • In partnership with Principal and Clinical Director, oversees contract procurement, implementation, and compliance of the Alameda County Mental Health Service Contract.
  • Responsible for and further develops additional sources of funding for the school through grant writing and program development.

Family Engagement

  • Develops vibrant and sustainable engagement programs across all stakeholders, including volunteers, families, students, staff, mentors, and community and corporate partners.
  • Builds and fosters trusting partnerships with families; serves as a role model for these types of relationships for staff and facilitates meetings with families when there are concerns with the program and student progress.

Community Relations and Advocacy

  • Leads TPA in administrative and program interactions with public school districts, overseeing the negotiation of Individual Service Contracts, IEP meetings, and with interagency collaborations (e.g. CAPSES.)
  • Participates in the review of the master contracts with school districts, and the Alameda County Mental Health group, and SELPA collaboratives.
  • Serves as the chief spokesperson for The Phillips Academy.
  • Effectively delegates to and collaborate with supervising staff to improve agency efficiency and organizational capacity.
  • Envisions, communicates, and promotes a work environment that functions as a cohesive team while retaining and recruiting quality staff and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Graduate degree required. Master’s or Doctoral qualification in Education, Educational Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Child Clinical Psychology, School Psychology, or other relevant field of study desirable.
  • Prior experience as an Executive Director, or member of the senior leadership team, of a nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget greater than $1M.
  • Background and work in special education, including knowledge of a range of educational interventions, the IEP process, special education law and mental health interventions and trauma-informed practices. Demonstrated leadership, including supervisory experience. Experience working in a non-public school is strongly preferred.
  • A minimum of 7 years’ experience in progressively responsible roles within senior management positions.
  • Experience working within education and a key understanding of the changing landscape, preferred.
  • Demonstrated fundraising success with major donors, private foundations, and institutional partnerships.
  • Proven experience in leading change management.
  • Demonstrated experience in risk management, with an emphasis on addressing strategic and financial implications.
  • Demonstrated belief in and a commitment to continued professional growth and development of employees, volunteers, and the Board of Directors.
  • Ability to lead operations and collaborate with staff; work with diverse groups of people and a wide range of faiths, beliefs, ages, cultures, and experiences.
  • Passion for The Phillips Academy’s mission of serving youth with complex behavioral, social, emotional, and educational needs.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range is $125k - $140k plus a generous benefits package. 

The Phillips Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.

In accordance with California Education Code section 56366.1(a)(5), when CONTRACTOR is a nonpublic school, NPS, an appropriately qualified person shall serve as curricular and instructional leader, and be able to provide leadership, oversight and professional development. The administrator of the NPS holds or is in the process of obtaining one of the following: (A) An administrative credential granted by an accredited postsecondary educational institution and two years of experience with pupils with disabilities. (B) A pupil personnel services credential that authorizes school counseling or psychology. (C) A license as a clinical social worker issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. (D) A license in psychology regulated by the Board of Psychology. (E) A master’s degree issued by an accredited postsecondary institution in education, special education, psychology, counseling, behavioral analysis, social work, behavioral science, or rehabilitation. (F) A credential authorizing special education instruction and at least two years of experience teaching in special education before becoming an administrator. (G) A license as a marriage and family therapist certified by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. (H) A license as an educational psychologist issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. (I) A license as a professional clinical counselor issued by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (California Education Code Section 56366.1. (a)(5))  

Envision Consulting was retained by The Phillips Academy to conduct the search for their incoming Executive Director.

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