Managing Director of Consulting Services at National Association of Charter School Authorizers

Due to the upcoming holiday season, we will begin reviewing applications in early January, after the New Year. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their application materials by early March 2025, as the search committee will begin meeting candidates at that time. If applying after early March, candidates will still be considered, though will be less likely to advance to meet the search committee.

About National Association of Charter School Authorizers

NACSA, from its founding in 2000 to today, has been driven by a desire to change the status quo. We have a clear vision of what public education can and should be for children across our nation. Public education needs more schools that deliver quality and innovation, more schools that educate students in ways that meet their needs, and more schools operated by diverse entrepreneurs and educators who deliver on these promises.

This vision—being built by the more than 8,000 U.S. public charter schools—cannot be achieved without quality authorizing. Authorizers, as the critical accountability mechanism, are a prerequisite for a high-performing charter school sector.

NACSA exists to advance and strengthen authorizing so students and communities—especially those historically under-resourced—thrive. For nearly 25 years, NACSA has worked with authorizers, policymakers, and others to create and sustain this innovative, growing ecosystem that allows for more great schools and improved learning, and in doing so, reduces inequities. NACSA is unique both in our exclusive focus on charter school authorizing and in the breadth of our work in this arena.

Learn more about NACSA by visiting https://qualitycharters.org/.

About the Opportunity

NACSA is seeking a Managing Director of Consulting Services to lead, expand, and support our high-impact consulting projects in charter school authorizing. This leadership role offers an exciting opportunity to lead efforts in ensuring charter school authorizing solutions are tailored to client needs across the United States. 

This individual will focus on strengthening client relationships, overseeing complex projects, and driving business development. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in charter school authorizing, exceptional project management skills, a passion for equity and inclusion, and the ability to foster strong client relationships while maintaining NACSA’s core mission and values. This individual thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, and is adept at managing tight deadlines and shifting priorities. This role requires someone who is both results-driven and agile, with experience navigating the ebb and flow of client work.

This individual will join the Development, Partnerships, and Client Services Team and report directly to the Vice President of Consulting Services.

Areas of Leadership

Mission and Values Alignment: Deeply align with NACSA’s mission to ensure all students, particularly those from underserved communities, have access to high-quality schools. Responsible for modeling and integrating NACSA’s core values of autonomy, access, and accountability into decision-making, client engagements, and team leadership. Prioritize equity, innovation, and impact in both internal and external work, helping the organization stay focused on its mission.

• Key qualifications: 
  • Strong commitment to educational equity and a demonstrated passion for improving public education.
  • Ability to align organizational strategy with core values in all aspects of work, including client engagements and internal team management.
  • Experience prioritizing equity and impact while balancing organizational goals and client needs.
  • Proven track record of integrating DEI principles into strategic planning, policies, and operations.

Expertise in Charter School Authorizing: Serve as a subject matter expert in charter school authorizing, applying a deep understanding of authorizing practices, policies, and challenges to provide innovative solutions for clients. Stay informed of national trends and best practices and use this knowledge to guide clients in achieving excellence in charter school authorization. Lead the development of compelling and tailored proposals to secure new consulting engagements. This includes understanding client needs, designing solutions that align with NACSA's expertise in charter school authorizing, and ensuring proposals effectively communicate NACSA’s value proposition.

• Key qualifications: 
  • Extensive experience in charter school authorizing, including knowledge of policies, practices, and the challenges faced by authorizers.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply best practices in authorizing and adapting strategies to different client contexts, needs, and regional requirements.
  • Actively staying current with emerging trends and national developments within the charter school sector.
  • Exposure to and/or professional experience working across multiple regions within the country, with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse educational landscapes, policies, and practices in various national contexts
  • Strong analytical skills to assess authorizer needs and design innovative solutions that promote excellence in authorizing.
  • Experience working on client-facing projects that involve fluctuating demands and timelines, requiring flexibility and resilience.

Advanced Project Management:  As a skilled project manager, this individual will execute complex projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. You will collaborate with leadership on project development, timelines, and deliverables while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.  Ensure NACSA project team members understand their roles and responsibilities for said projects and that client deliverables are of high quality. Serve as the point of contact for the client, keeping them informed and engaged on project progress and deliverables.

• Key qualifications: 
  • Proven project management experience, including creating detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets.
  • Ability to oversee multiple, concurrent projects and coordinate cross-functional teams to meet client needs.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to track project progress, adjust priorities, and manage competing deadlines.
  • Problem-solving skills to address challenges proactively, making adjustments to scope, approach, and deliverables when necessary.
  • Experience using project management tools to track deliverables, budgets, and timelines effectively.

Exceptional Verbal and Written Communication: Tailor communication to diverse audiences, effectively conveying NACSA’s value, services, and impact. Prepare compelling proposals, reports, and client deliverables, as well as facilitate meetings and presentations that align with client goals and best practices.

• Key qualifications: 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to engage and persuade diverse audiences in the education field. 
  • Strong writing ability for creating high-quality, client-ready deliverables such as proposals, reports, and project documentation.
  • Experience facilitating client meetings and presentations, with a focus on problem-solving and achieving positive outcomes with diverse audiences. 
  • Skilled in storytelling to convey the impact and value of NACSA’s work, both internally and externally.

Strategic Business Development and Relationship Building: This role will support NACSA’s business development efforts by helping identify and nurture new client and partnership opportunities. They will assist in driving business growth through activities such as proposal writing, marketing initiatives, and representing NACSA at industry events and conferences. There will be opportunities to contribute to expanding NACSA’s reach and influence while adapting to a fast-paced and evolving business development environment. Remaining flexible and responsive to shifting client needs, new opportunities, and internal priorities will be key to success in this position.

• Key qualifications: 
  • Some experience in business development within the consulting or education sectors, including identifying new clients and markets.
  • Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders, cultivate partnerships, and maintain long-term client relationships.
  • Comfort in representing yourself as a brand ambassador in industry settings, including conferences, networking events, and client interactions.
  • Familiarity with different types of revenue streams, such as fee-for-service models.

The Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position with a remote work setup, requiring occasional travel (approximately twice quarterly, with some additional travel expected throughout the year). The salary range for this position is $120,000 to $130,000 annually, based on the responsibilities of the role and current industry standards. To maintain transparency and fairness in our compensation practices, we are unable to accommodate salary negotiations.

What sets us apart is our exceptional benefits package! We’re proud to offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to prioritize your well-being and work-life balance. These include [robust and affordable health insurance options, retirement contribution matching, flexible work arrangements, wellness programs, generous PTO, and professional development opportunities]. We believe in supporting our team both professionally and personally, and we’re excited to offer a package that truly reflects that commitment!

How to Apply 

This search is being managed by Axis Talent Partners, a talent strategy and executive search firm that partners with social impact organizations and centers equity and inclusivity in search. Interested candidates should apply, detailing their qualifications for the position and their interest in NACSA’s mission HERE.

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NACSA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, or current employment status.

NACSA encourages individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.

NACSA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NACSA complies with federal and state disability laws to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. NACSA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or the work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position they desire, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similar situated employees without disabilities unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship.