VP of Whole Child Education

Organizational OverviewAction4Equity is a community-centered systems-change organization working in solidarity with communities to activate systems change and shift policies, practices, power structures, and the flow of resources so that every Black child thrives in Forsyth County, North Carolina. A4E envisions a just Forsyth County where Black liberation is the norm, systems once defined by exclusion are transformed to serve the whole person, and decisions affecting communities reflect dignity, care, equity, and the leadership of those most impacted.A4E’s approach begins with a simple premise: communities thrive when residents have the power, capacity, resources, relationships, and authority necessary to shape the systems that affect their lives. The organization advances this work through four interconnected strategies: capacity building, community-led research, network development, and policy advocacy.Together, these strategies move communities through an interconnected cycle of community organizing, community governance, community development, and community wellbeing. A4E builds relationships and leadership that strengthen trust; creates pathways for residents to influence institutions, policies, and investments that build power; and supports community development and ownership that can create and retain wealth across generations.Through this model, A4E works across issues that are often treated separately—including education, health, housing, economic mobility, community safety, youth and family wellbeing, and civic participation—while addressing the systems and conditions connecting them. The goal is not organizational growth for its own sake, but stronger communities in which children, youth, families, and residents have the relationships, resources, opportunities, and decision-making power necessary to thrive.Position SummaryThe VP of Whole Child Education serves as the chief executive responsible for Action4Equity's entire education portfolio and educational systems transformation strategy.This executive leader provides vision, leadership, management, and accountability for all educational initiatives across the organization, including early childhood education, K-12 systems transformation, postsecondary success, workforce development, youth leadership, family engagement, educational policy, community schools, educational research, and collective impact initiatives.The VP of Whole Child Education is responsible for developing and implementing educational strategies that improve outcomes from cradle to career while building community power and transforming systems that impact children, youth, and families.This role serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and works collaboratively with the CEO, President, Vice Presidents, community leaders, public agencies, educational institutions, philanthropic partners, and national organizations.Key ResponsibilitiesExecutive LeadershipDevelop and lead Action4Equity's comprehensive education strategy.Serve as the senior executive responsible for all education-related outcomes.Establish organizational priorities, goals, and performance measures for educational initiatives.Lead strategic planning efforts related to educational transformation.Participate in executive leadership decision-making and organizational governance.Build organizational capacity to scale educational impact locally, statewide, and nationally.Ensure alignment between educational initiatives and Action4Equity's mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.Educational Systems TransformationProvide executive oversight for initiatives related and not limited to:Early Childhood DevelopmentKindergarten ReadinessLiteracy and Reading AchievementMiddle Grade Math ProficiencyHigh School GraduationPostsecondary Access and CompletionWorkforce DevelopmentCareer PathwaysFamily EngagementCommunity SchoolsYouth Leadership DevelopmentEducational Equity and OpportunitySchool Climate and Student WellbeingCivic EducationEducational InnovationProgram LeadershipOversee and strengthen educational initiatives including and not limited to:My Brother's Keeper Winston-SalemForsyth Family Power a StriveTogether Cradle to Career NetworkChildren's Defense Fund initiativesThriving Together educational strategiesYouth leadership initiativesParent and family engagement programsSchool district partnershipsPostsecondary success initiativesWorkforce development partnershipsEducational capacity-building programsFuture educational innovation projectsResearch, Learning, and EvaluationLead educational research initiatives.Partner with the Peoples Research Council and community researchers.Utilize community-centered research methodologies.Develop performance dashboards and accountability frameworks.Ensure continuous improvement and learning systems.Translate research findings into practice and policy recommendations.Advance evidence-based educational innovation.Policy and AdvocacyLead the development and implementation of Action4Equity's education policy agenda in partnership with VP of Policy.Build relationships with school boards, elected officials, educational leaders, and government agencies.Monitor legislation and policy developments affecting educational outcomes.Coordinate advocacy strategies that support children, youth, and families.Represent Action4Equity in policy coalitions and educational networks.Community Leadership and EngagementFoster authentic partnerships with families, youth, educators, and community leaders.Promote community governance and shared decision-making.Build resident leadership and educational advocacy capacity.Ensure community voice informs organizational priorities and educational strategies.Facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders.Partnership DevelopmentBuild and manage strategic partnerships with:Public School SystemsCharter SchoolsCommunity CollegesUniversitiesEarly Childhood ProvidersGovernment AgenciesCommunity-Based OrganizationsPhilanthropic InstitutionsNational NetworksBusiness and Workforce PartnersRevenue Development and Resource MobilizationDevelop and implement education-focused funding strategies.Cultivate relationships with institutional funders and investors.Assist in securing grants, contracts, sponsorships, and philanthropic investments.Manage educational initiative budgets and financial performance.Identify opportunities for sustainable revenue generation.Team LeadershipFoster a culture of excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration.Support staff growth and organizational succession planning.QualificationsRequired EducationMaster's Degree in:EducationPublic PolicyPublic AdministrationOrganizational LeadershipCommunity DevelopmentSocial SciencesRelated FieldEquivalent combinations of education, professional experience, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.Preferred EducationDoctorate (Ed.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) preferred.Required ExperiencePriority will be given to Results Counts Practitioners / those with significant Results Counts experienceMinimum 15 years of progressively responsible leadership experience.Minimum 10 years leading and facilitating complex educational initiatives, systems-change efforts, or large-scale multi-sector community impact strategies.Demonstrated success leading diverse teams and executive-level initiatives.Experience building partnerships across public, private, philanthropic, and community sectors.Strong understanding of educational systems and policy environments.Preferred ExperienceHigher education leadership experience.State or national educational leadership experience.StriveTogether experience.Children's Defense Fund experienceWilliam Julius Wilson Institute leadership development experienceCollective Impact experience.Community-based educational leadership experience.Systems transformation experience.Core CompetenciesExecutive LeadershipSystems ThinkingStrategic PlanningCommunity-Centered LeadershipPublic PolicyPolitical AcumenOrganizational DevelopmentChange ManagementPartnership DevelopmentResource DevelopmentResearch and Data AnalysisCommunication and Public SpeakingTeam BuildingPerformance MeasuresThe President of Education Initiatives will be evaluated based upon:Educational OutcomesKindergarten ReadinessReading ProficiencyMath ProficiencyGraduation RatesPostsecondary EnrollmentPostsecondary CompletionWorkforce OutcomeOrganizational OutcomesProgram PerformanceStrategic Partnership GrowthSystems Change OutcomesPolicy AdvancementInstitutional ChangeCommunity Leadership DevelopmentCollective Impact SuccessLong-Term SustainabilityBenefits IncludeEmployer-paid healthcare coverageEmployer-paid dental coverageEmployer-paid vision coverageEmployer-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan with up to 3% employer matchingTen (10) paid federal holidays annuallyTen (10) paid time off (PTO) days annuallySummertime Flex FridaysFlexible scheduling and hybrid work opportunitiesProfessional development opportunitiesExecutive leadership coaching and developmentConference and travel opportunitiesParticipation in local, state, and national leadership networksEqual Opportunity EmployerAction4Equity is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where individuals from all backgrounds can contribute and thrive. We value lived experience, professional expertise, and community leadership and encourage qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.Our Vision for This RoleThe Vice President of Whole Child Education will help build a future where every child, youth, and family has access to the opportunities, relationships, resources, and systems necessary to thrive. This leader will work to transform educational systems while building community power, advancing policy change, and creating sustainable infrastructure that improves outcomes for generations to come.