Director, Strategic Initiatives

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks , reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators , offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Are you a strategic thinker who thrives on bringing clarity and structure to complex organizational work? As Director of Strategic Initiatives at Uncommon Schools, you'll partner directly with our Co-CEOs to shape the direction of our organization while managing critical communications, board governance, and cross-functional initiatives. You'll lead projects that impact our entire network, from overseeing our cross-functional annual planning processes to ensuring our Board of Trustees is engaged and informed. If you're someone who finds meaning in building systems that help organizations run better, this role offers the opportunity to shape organizational priorities and influence how Uncommon Schools scales impact for students across regions.

Responsibilities

Executive Partnership & Project Leadership

• 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

Board Governance & Operations

• Own board governance responsibilities, including the nominating committee; 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

Communications

• 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.

Team Leadership

• 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

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree
• 5–6 years of combined directly relevant and relevant professional experience
• Directly relevant experience includes roles such as Manager/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
• Strong communication skills—ability to write clearly, speak persuasively, and adapt your message to different audiences
• Experience managing and developing others, with a track record of building strong teams
• Comfort with ambiguity and ability to bring structure to undefined problems

Preferred

• Master's degree in business administration, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field
• Experience working in education, nonprofits, or mission-driven organizations
• Experience with board governance or executive-level operations
• Proficiency with project management tools and data analysis (Excel)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods
• Minimal travel (quarterly school visits or routine local travel within the region)

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this position

The full compensation range for this role is $111,200-$139,000. Typically, new hires who fully meet all qualifications listed in the job description will start at $118,200. Starting compensation below this reflects candidates with less experience or qualifications. Offers near the top end of the range are reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the qualifications, bringing extensive experience and specialized expertise beyond what is listed.

Compensation determinations consider relevant professional experience and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Additionally, because we value internal growth and tenure, current staff members are not subject to salary caps within this range.

Work Environment

Uncommon is an in-person organization, with a commitment of at least three days each week in our Manhattan office at 100 Church St.

Benefit Highlights

• 19 days of paid time off
• 3 weeks of paid Winter and Summer org-wide holidays
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits
• Pre-tax flexible spending, dependent care, and health saving accounts

*A detailed list of all benefits is located HERE .

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve---with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [email protected].

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