Chief Executive Officer

Launched in 2007, the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools (the Partnership) is one of the largest in-district public school transformation organizations in the United States, committed to transforming outcomes in the highest need public schools. Leveraging insights from its own work – managing a network of 20 district schools collectively serving 13,550 students across Boyle Heights, South LA, and Watts – the Partnership works within and alongside Los Angeles Unified School District (LA Unified) to find and share solutions that influence broader systemic change.

Since its inception in 2008, the Partnership has dramatically improved outcomes within the schools it serves in critical areas such as graduation rates, moving from a baseline of 36% to 88% in 2022, and college acceptance rates, with 95% of seniors in the Partnership's five high schools planning to attend a four or two year college this year. In addition, the Partnership influences both policy and practice. For instance, in 2018, through advocacy with partners, the Partnership was instrumental in helping secure approval from LA Unified's Board of Education for a revised Student Equity Need Index, which has since resulted in a 40-fold growth in equitable funding and a recent distribution of $700MM to highest need schools. The Partnership also conceived the "Every Student Connected" broadband initiative, piloted during the pandemic and subsequently adopted and expanded by LA Unified as "All Families Connected".

Building on its record of success, the Partnership is poised to continue to transform schools to revolutionize school systems, empowering all students with a high quality education.

To learn more, please visit: https://partnershipla.org/.

We also invite you to review the position profile here.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and bold leader to helm an innovative organization committed to transforming schools to revolutionize school systems and fostering a culture of empowerment, equity, and inclusion. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will serve as the organization's lead strategist, fundraiser, advocate, and operator, partnering with a range of internal and external stakeholders to drive exceptional educational outcomes and advocate for large-scale systemic changes. Managing a team of 6 direct reports and a total staff of 100, the CEO will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Partnership's staff, programs, growth strategy, and execution of its mission. Building on a strong foundation and track record of affecting change within its 20 schools and LA Unified more broadly, the CEO will serve as an inspirational and collaborative organizational leader empowered to take the organization into its next phase of growth and impact.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Organizational & Team Leadership

• In collaboration with the Board and staff, build and maintain a shared vision for the organization that unifies, inspires, and ignites those involved in the Partnership's work
• Manage and provide strong leadership to the Executive Team, driving improved educational and organizational outcomes through this high performing group of 6 leaders while also supporting their professional development and growth, and that of their teams
• Champion equitable practices organization-wide by actively disrupting systemic racism and creating a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and belonging
• Model and hold the highest of standards for school, team, and individual performance and accountability, with the ultimate goal of improving student outcomes within the Partnership's data-driven culture
• Oversee and steward the organization's annual $25-30M budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization and maintaining a positive financial position
• Partner with leaders throughout the organization to attract, retain, and grow diverse talent at every level of the organization
• Actively partner with the Board to ensure overall governance of the Partnership and effective stewardship of the organization's resources

Strategic Planning & Vision Setting

• Advance the long-term strategic vision for the Partnership with a relentless focus on driving students outcomes such as academic achievement, college-ready graduation rates, and college and career readiness
• Develop and implement, in partnership with Board and staff, the Partnership's next 5-year strategic plan in support of the organizational vision
• Set bold, innovative academic, operational, financial, people, and culture goals and work with the Executive team to manage towards these goals
• Ensure an ongoing focus on transforming the Partnerships' schools, in close collaboration with the Transformation team
• Identify ongoing opportunities for broader systems changes that serve to revolutionize educational outcomes throughout LAUSD and potentially beyond
• Strongly champion and drive prioritization of and accountability for the organization's vision, goals, plans, and results

Fundraising & External Affairs

• Serve as the Partnership's primary spokesperson, thereby enhancing the organization's visibility, impact, and reputation, with a focus on driving bold outcomes for students and families
• Affirm the financial sustainability of the organization by consistently meeting and exceeding fundraising goals of $20M+ annually, with a focus on diversifying funding sources
• Advocate for students, families, and the Partnership more broadly, and influence elected officials and key leaders within a complex and dynamic political landscape
• Establish and maintain relationships with key partners, including elected officials, School Board members, district leaders, community organizations and leaders, parent leaders, and school-based leaders and staff
• Maintain a strong presence in governmental and community affairs, managing through influence to drive toward the Partnership's mission and goals

Organizational & Team Leadership

• Deep experience effectively running a large and complex organization or department within a K-12 educational or social/racial justice context, with a track record of driving strong outcomes
• Passion for the Partnership's mission, vision, and core values; relentlessly student-focused
• A demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity in a systemic way
• Superior team management skills including vision setting, inspiring high performance, empowering and holding team members accountable, and developing team members' skills and abilities
• A commitment to leading with a focus on collaboration, empathy, self-awareness, and transparency

Strategic Leadership

• Excellent strategic thinking and vision setting skills, with a data-driven and collaborative approach to developing and implementing strategies while navigating interdependencies, complexity, and ambiguity
• Strong outcomes orientation with an ability to maintain a constant eye on the Partnership's highest priority goals throughout the year
• Comprehensive understanding of K-12 school systems, advocacy, politics, and policy strongly preferred

Fundraising & External Affairs

• Strong ability to lead fundraising for the organization's $25-30M annual budget by cultivating and stewarding new and existing relationships with funders; a track record of fundraising in the nonprofit sector is preferred
• Ability to expand the Partnership's brand, network, relationships, and influence with leaders in government, politics, and advocacy
• Ability to forge strong working relationships with a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds and identities, and to build understanding between self and individuals who may be different from self economically, racially, culturally, or otherwise

Additional Experience

• Experience working with public schools in a district context strongly preferred
• Experience as a teacher or leader in a public school setting desirable
• Depth of understanding of the Los Angeles educational, political, and philanthropic landscapes preferred

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Location:
Los Angeles, California; opportunity to work in a hybrid position with required work occurring in schools, partner spaces, in our home office and remotely.

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement: Partnership for LA Schools is a contractor with Los Angeles Unified School District and has implemented a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. All new employees are required to be fully vaccinated a week before their start date unless they are approved for an accommodation due to a medical reason or because of a sincerely held religious belief.

The salary range for this position is $275,000 to $350,000 and is commensurate with experience. Starting salaries are dependent on experience, skills, market rates, and pay equity among current staff members. The Partnership also offers a robust benefits package including employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents; a 403(b) retirement program with employee match and vesting; parental and sabbatical leaves; a professional development allowance; and generous paid time off.

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Partnership for Los Angeles Schools is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to – and actively pursues – diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The Partnership prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race such as hairstyle), creed, color, religion, registered domestic partner status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, age, military and veteran status, medical condition, genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy or childbirth, physical disability or mental disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance or regulation. The Partnership also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

On-Ramps is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We're partnering with the team at the Partnership to build a diverse team. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

On-Ramps and the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools are committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.