Vice President of Programs
Direct Report: President & CEO
Summary
The Vice President of Programs with The NEA Foundation is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping, advancing, and stewarding the Foundation’s programmatic vision and portfolio. Working in close partnership with the President & CEO, the Vice President of Programs provides strategic leadership, critical analysis, and oversight to ensure the Foundation’s programs are rigorous, responsive, and aligned with its mission, values, and long-term goals.
The Vice President leads program development from concept through execution, brings a strong analytic lens and demonstrated commitment to justice and equity to grantmaking and impact assessment, and cultivates a culture of learning, trust-based philanthropy, accountability, and continuous improvement across the program team and among grantee partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Program Development
- Serves as a key thought partner to the President & CEO in shaping the Foundation’s programmatic strategy, priorities, and evolution over time
- Leads the design, refinement, and scaling of high-impact programs and initiatives, grounded in research, field knowledge, and practitioner experience
- Applies critical and systems-level thinking to assess emerging needs, risks, and opportunities within public education and related fields
- Ensures alignment between program strategy, organizational goals, and available resources
Program Management & Oversight
- Oversees the implementation and day-to-day management of the Foundation’s full program portfolio, ensuring quality, coherence, and timely execution
- Establishes clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures for programs and initiatives
- Monitors program performance and outcomes, using data and qualitative insights to drive learning and improvement
- Leads periodic reviews of program areas to assess relevance, effectiveness, and strategic fit
Grantmaking, Analysis & Budget Leadership
- Provides intellectual and financial oversight of the Foundation’s grantmaking, including review and analysis of proposals, budgets, and reports
- Performs and oversees financial, programmatic, and risk analysis associated with grants and initiatives
- Develops and manages the approved program budget in collaboration with the President & CEO and finance staff
- Ensures responsible stewardship of resources and compliance with internal policies and external requirements
Team Leadership
- Supervises program staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and learning-oriented team
- Conducts performance reviews; coaches and mentors staff; and makes recommendations on hiring, development, and personnel matters
- Contributes to broader organizational leadership as a member of the senior management team, modeling sound judgment, integrity, and adaptability
Systems Knowledge & Field Engagement
- Leads or supports the design and continuous improvement of trust-based grants management, learning, and knowledge-management systems
- Ensures that insights from programs and grantees are captured, synthesized, and shared to inform strategy, impact assessment, and field learning
- Provides strategic technical assistance to grantees and partners, strengthening their capacity and impact
- Collaborates with communications staff to disseminate program learnings to affiliates, partners, and other stakeholders
Other Responsibilities
- Represents the Foundation, as appropriate, with funders, partners, educators, and field leaders
- Supports and contributes substantially to the Foundation’s fund development activities
- Undertakes special projects and initiatives as assigned by the President & CEO
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in education, public policy, or a related field, with 7–10 years of progressive experience in program leadership, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong grounding in public education is essential (knowledge of leading-edge best practices and pedagogical trends and familiarity with contemporary research in the areas of teaching and learning, extended learning, and community schools as well as an appreciation for the levers needed to facilitate systemic change in our country’s public school education system)
- Exceptional professional experience as a teacher, instructional coach, or administrator, or a comparable role is strongly desired. Deep experience working with educators, education organizations, and other leaders is essential
- Substantial experience designing, leading, and managing complex educational programs at scale, nationally or internationally
- Significant experience administering grants, programs, events, awards, and initiatives that support educator and student success
- A nuanced understanding of issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, and significant experience working on these issues in practice
- Demonstrated commitment to learning and collaboration, and to working in authentic partnership with colleagues, grantees, and other key partners
- Proven ability to think critically, synthesize complex information, and translate insight into effective program design and decision-making
- Knowledge of the historic and current socio-political contexts of the American South, where The NEA Foundation has deep investments in community schools, would be a plus
- An inquisitive disposition that seeks to build on an existing knowledge base
- Interest in and willingness to travel (approximately 10% of the time nationally and internationally)
- Independent initiative and a collegial spirit in sharing ideas and receiving feedback. Adaptable and flexible nature bringing warmth, humor, and energy; integrity and humility
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences
- Strong leadership, supervisory, and coaching skills for a highly talented self-starting staff
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable; able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Clear EQ and outstanding interpersonal skills and sound professional judgment
- Proficiency with relevant technology and data systems
Salary & Benefits
The NEA Foundation offers a rich tapestry of benefits that include medical, dental, life, and vision insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off. The salary range for this position is $150,000-$160,000; however, a candidate with significant experience in the field and advanced education may be considered a senior vice president, at a higher initial salary.
To apply
Please submit resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements to neafhr@nea.org.
