Position: Executive Director
Organization: Connecticut Commission on Educational Achievement
Location: Hartford, CT
A recently established commission to explore the achievement gap in the state of Connecticut seeks an Executive Director. The commission, established by executive order of the Governor of the State of Connecticut, is privately funded and is composed primarily of business leaders and other professionals. The commission will research why Connecticut has one of the largest achievement gaps between low-income students and their more affluent peers, and make recommendations to the Governor, lawmakers, relevant state and local institutions and the public on how to close it. The Executive Director will assist the commission in its work. This is an 8-month to 1-year contract assigned based in Hartford, CT.
Responsibilities:
The Executive Director will be the key organizer of the commission’s activities and schedule, including material preparation and witness presentation.
Additional responsibilities include
- Research on education reform efforts in CT and nationally, including interviews with key leaders and groups
- Identifying and reaching out to key stakeholders, including school districts, teacher's unions, parents, charter school leaders, political and legislative leaders, state officials and community activists to bring them into the process
- Managing a small team of staff and volunteers on research and outreach projects
- Arranging and organizing public hearings around the state with a wide range of stakeholders
- Staffing the commission, including scheduling meetings and providing regular updates and reports
- Compiling and analyzing data and research findings
- Synthesizing all information gathered into a final report on the current state of the Connecticut achievement gap and recommendations for closing it
- Working with Commission members to help build the support for implementing the recommended changes
- Responding to requests of the Commissioners to set up meetings and research subjects
- Work closely with the Commission Chairperson in accomplishing the Commission objectives
Qualifications:
- BA required, advanced degree preferred
- Knowledge of CT and its educational system, background in education preferred
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Experience supervising teams, including staff, interns, and volunteers
- Excellent research and writing skills, experience drafting papers and reports and preparing briefing materials
- Superb communications and relationship building skills, the ability to connect with and engage a wide range of stakeholders
- Ability to work skillfully in a staff capacity
- A strong work ethic and the ability to “do whatever it takes” to get the job done
- Prior experience with public speaking preferred
- A “team player” who gets along well with others
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes excellent benefits.
To Apply:
The CT Commission on Educational Achievement has engaged Koya Consulting to help with this hire. Please email a compelling cover letter and resume to Molly Brennan at executivesearch@koyaconsulting.com.
The CT Commission on Educational Achievement is an equal opportunity employer. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
About the Connecticut Commission on Educational Achievement:
The CT Commission on Educational Achievement was established by executive order of Governor M. Jodi Rell in March. The volunteer and privately funded commission, which is composed primarily of business leaders and includes several other professionals, will research why Connecticut has one of the largest achievement gaps between low-income students and their more affluent peers, and make recommendations to the Governor, lawmakers, relevant state and local institutions and the public on how to close it. “We all want the same things for our children, whether we are parents, teachers, employers, or the Governor–and that is top-notch education. The future leaders of Connecticut–in both commerce and community–are in our classrooms today. How we prepare them and how they respond will dictate the success of our society,” Governor Rell said.
The Governor has appointed Greenwich businessman Steven J. Simmons to serve as Chairman of the 11-member commission. Mr. Simmons is Chairman and CEO of Simmons/Patriot Media and Communications, LLC. A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard Law School, Mr. Simmons was previously a professor at the University of California, Associate Director of the Domestic Policy Staff at the White House, and is the author of several successful children’s books. The group plans to hold hearings around the state, visit public schools, review research, and consult with all interested parties. Commission members will also look at successes in other states.