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Uncommon Schools

Non-profit K-12 charter school network

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Business OperationsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeNew York, NY, USA$111.2k - $139k /yr

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree is required.
  • Five to six years of combined directly relevant and relevant professional experience are required.
  • Directly relevant experience includes roles such as Manager or Senior Manager of Special Projects or Strategic Initiatives, or equivalent roles involving project management, executive support, or organizational strategy.
  • Relevant experience includes roles in program coordination, project management, nonprofit leadership, operations, or other roles that build transferable skills in project management, stakeholder coordination, and organizational systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and stakeholders simultaneously is required.
  • Strong communication skills are required, including the ability to write clearly, speak persuasively, and adapt messages to different audiences.
  • Experience managing and developing others, with a track record of building strong teams, is required.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to bring structure to undefined problems are required.
  • The ability to sit at a desk for extended periods is required.
  • At least three days each week in the Manhattan office are required.

Responsibilities

  • Directly staff key projects and initiatives that support the Co-CEOs' effectiveness, including special strategic work and organizational priorities.
  • Lead or staff complex projects related to organizational strategy, growth, and organizational priorities.
  • Lead cross-functional annual planning processes, collaborating with senior leaders across Finance, Talent, Operations, School Operations, and Strategic Initiatives to shape the organization's direction.
  • Own board governance responsibilities, including the nominating committee, and manage ongoing committee work such as annual Board surveys and cultivation processes.
  • Manage all Board of Trustees meetings, from agenda development and content creation to coordinating with the Executive Team and other departments for successful execution.
  • Lead all Board of Trustees communications, including initiating communications, creating content, and managing input and review processes.
  • Oversee the Board scorecard, managing regular updates, synthesizing takeaways, and driving recommendations for improvements based on Board and Executive Team input.
  • Design and manage processes for sharing and cascading information between the Uncommon Board and regional boards to maximize efficiency and impact.
  • Manage Co-CEO communications by proposing scope and sequence, drafting content, and engaging stakeholders on execution.
  • Lead the annual State of Uncommon presentation in partnership with the Co-CEOs and Chief of Staff, managing all project execution and communications vehicles.
  • Manage the calendar for organization-wide communications, creating systems and tools while collaborating with other teams to align messaging.
  • Manage and develop the Specialist supporting Strategic Initiatives and Executive Operations, providing coaching, professional development opportunities, and clear performance expectations.
  • Serve as a thought partner to the Senior Director on team strategy, planning, and execution.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master's degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field is preferred.
  • Experience working in education, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations is preferred.
  • Experience with board governance or executive-level operations is preferred.
  • Proficiency with project management tools and data analysis, including Excel, is preferred.

About the Company

Uncommon Schools

Non-profit K-12 charter school network

Uncommon Schools operates a network of public charter K-12 schools that serve students from low-income backgrounds. It runs 57 schools in northeastern cities such as Boston, Camden, Newark, New York City, Rochester, and Troy, serving over 21,000 students. The organization provides a structured curriculum, strong school culture, and ongoing professional development for teachers and leaders, funded by per-pupil public dollars and private donations. Its model emphasizes rigorous academics, character development, and college preparation to close achievement gaps. Compared with many competitors, Uncommon Schools reports higher SAT and AP scores and higher college-degree attainment for its graduates, especially among Black and Latinx students. The goal is to ensure students graduate prepared for college and succeed in higher education and beyond by expanding access to high-quality public education for low-income communities.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
Grant
Total funding
$1.7M
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
2005

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