Executive Director

Arizona School Boards Association

Phoenix, Arizona

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Arizona School Boards Association to recruit the organization’s next Executive Director.

Organizational Background

The

ASBA’s mission is to cultivate excellence in locally-governed school districts.

ASBA’s strategic goals include leadership development, advocacy and equity in education.

ASBA’s core beliefs include:

• The basic life needs of children must be met for them to succeed
• Meeting the unique educational needs of all students must be the foundation of our school systems
• The governance of publicly funded schools must lie with locally elected and publicly accountable governing boards
• The responsibility for student success is shared by students, parents, governing boards, district staff and the community
• Public education funding must be broad-based, stable and at a level that assures all students are successful
• Knowledgeable and professionally trained governing board members are fundamental for ensuring student success
• Closing the opportunity and achievement gap is a moral and economic imperative that must be addressed to ensure all Arizona’s students are successful
• System inequities must be removed so every student achieves their fullest potential
  
  

Position Summary

The Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) seeks its next Executive Director, a proven educational and non-profit leader, to continue the growth and progress of an outstanding educational association. The new ED will work to build on a strong reputation for cultivating excellence in locally-governed school districts. The position is responsible for leading and managing the members’ Phoenix, AZ office and staff and a portfolio of programs and services responsive to member needs. The new ED will bring stakeholders together to transform the organization and its program, product, and service offerings to ensure that ASBA has a clearly established value proposition, and becomes known as a high-performance organization which advances the needs of its members by delivering high-quality products and services. As the chief staff executive of the Association, the Executive Director is appointed by and directly responsible to the Board of Directors (Board), and serves as an ex officio, non-voting Board member. The ED also serves as Treasurer and a non-voting member on the Arizona School Boards Association Insurance Trust (ASBAIT) Board of Trustees and as Executive Director of Arizonans for Quality Education (AQE), formerly Friends of ASBA. The deadline for applications is June 5, 2024.

Position Description

The Executive Director is the chief administrative officer of the Association, appointed by and directly responsible to the Board of Directors. The ED is responsible for leading, directing and administering a program of services that is responsive to the needs of membership. Acting in accordance with board politics and within the laws and regulations established by state and federal governments, they shall establish a sound organization structure; and recommend and participate in the formulation of new programming to meet member needs. They develop and maintain impactful and collaborative relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Provides leadership and vision in developing the vision, mission, goals and strategies to carry out ASBA objectives
• Fosters an environment of innovation in serving member needs
• Provides recommendations and guidance to the Board and participates in strategic planning and strategy development discussions that meet membership needs and advance public education and equity
• Makes recommendations that reflect ASBA’s strategic priorities and revenue generation and ensures fiscal viability and sustainability
• Follows the Constitution and Bylaws, and within the constraints established in the ASBA’s Resolutions, Beliefs and Policies, and governing principles, partners closely with the Board to further ASBA’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
  
  

Management of the Association

• Creates and maintains a member service-centric culture that attracts, motivates, engages, empowers, and maximizes a diverse staff
• Champions sound governance for the ASBA and its membership and navigates ASBA governance effectively. Role models this for staff
• Develops and recommends to the Board a revenue plan which takes into account the association’s unique needs
• Manages ASBA’s financial operations and budgetary process
• Prepares and recommends an annual budget and IRS Form 990 for Board approval
• Develops and inspires a high-performing staff team through objective goal setting, delegation, communication, performance reviews, professional development, and advancement opportunities
• Provides leadership in the recruitment, selection, and retention of competent, qualified staff to carry out ASBA’s work
• Responsible for oversight of facilities to ensure they are operated and maintained with efficiency and needs of tenants in mind
  
  

External Relations and Advocacy

• Represents Association as official spokesperson, providing an effective voice that advances ASBA’s influence and credibility through strong representation of advocacy agendas
• Develops relationships with legislative and regulatory agencies, and serves as a source for relevant and accurate information
• Works proactively to promote commitment to and participation in the ASBA, visiting member districts and attending local and regional meetings as a representative, participant and speaker
• Maintains an effective governmental relations program, working with membership to formulate legislative programs and agendas
• Develops and maintains positive, collaborative and strategic relationships with other local, regional and statewide education organizations
• Oversees effective communication tools through relevant and timely websites, social media, press releases, publications and annual report
• Assures that ASBA has an effective external spokesperson with the media
  
  

Association Programs

• Develops professional development programs and educational content to meet governing board’s needs
• Develops and delivers a strategic portfolio of programs and services which serve the diverse governing boards’ membership needs
• Creates and implements a plan, in collaboration with the membership and building upon member survey data, that provides clarity around governance, and program, product, and service offerings
• Plans and recommends for Board approval programmatic offerings designed to further ASBA’s mission and vision
• Ensures educational equity best practices are at the core of training and professional development programs
  
  

ASBA Board Governance

• Ensures that the Board is fully informed; provides, in a timely and accurate manner, the information necessary for the Board to perform its responsibilities and make informed decisions
• Ensures that the Board focuses on its fiduciary responsibility, nonprofit financial best practices, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) as they relate to sound financial stewardship
• Provides recommendations and guidance to the Board and implements the Board’s decisions
• Oversees the development of programs and activities that advance the skills and knowledge of board members
  
  

Profile of a Successful Candidate

The following (or any combination of experience/education that has resulted in comparable knowledge, skills, abilities):

• 5 or more years of professional, supervisory experience within an educational institution, nonprofit organization or other education sector entity
• Steeped in good governance experience with an association or nonprofit board of directors, preferably with experience transforming an organization’s governance
• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree preferred
• Willingness to travel extensively throughout the state and accommodate the evening and weekend schedules inherent in providing service to school boards
• Passion and experience with public education issues are a plus
  
  

ASBA seeks a leader who easily engages with a wide variety of people - Board of Directors, staff, members, external stakeholders - and everyone in between. The candidate should be defined by a leadership style that is reasoned, decisive, and collaborative. This person brings a combination of leadership ability, strategic planning, problem-solving, change management, supervisory, administrative, planning, and management experience along with excellent interpersonal skills that enable trusted relationships, honest exchanges of ideas and concepts, and an ability to lead through influence and example.

The successful candidate possesses exemplary diplomatic, cooperative and interpersonal skills and has a respect for Arizona and its communities. The ideal candidate is a visionary, collaborative, ethical and adaptive individual who values authentic member engagement, the diversity of Arizona and ongoing/lifelong learning.

The successful candidate will further the work at ASBA and enrich staff and stakeholder experiences with the organization. Experience and expertise providing senior leadership will further shape the culture and extend the reach of ASBA. More specifically, the ASBA seeks candidates who:

• Have professional background that reflects collaboration and influence, working closely with senior leaders, boards, staff members and elected officials; commitment to public education and the values that support every child’s right to learn in a safe, inclusive, welcoming environment
• Proven ability to work with diverse populations across the wide political spectrum
• Understands Arizona’s K-12, Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs & CTEDs) and community college system, current education issues and business implications of decisions; adapts strategy to changing conditions; manages competing demands and change
• Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to guide an evolving organization. Successful experience driving new revenue generation is a plus
• Keeps current on educational trends, methods, research, and advancements in culturally responsive practices in public schools and institutions
• Has operational capacity to gather, assess, and use information skillfully to problem solve, enhance workflow and systems, and improve solutions; develop project and implementation plans; set goals and objectives
• Fosters an environment of forward thinking and innovation
• Motivates others and creates a culture that promotes collaboration, creativity, and results-driven solutions
• Possesses authentic, candid and transparent communication and public speaking skills, including the ability to articulate the value of ASBA to its members, other stakeholders, and the public, as well as emotional intelligence to facilitate group processes that result in listening, collaboration, consensus building, conflict resolution, planning and decision making
  
  

Skills And Qualifications

The Arizona School Boards Association is seeking an Executive Director with skills and experiences in the following areas.

• Transparency, honesty, and integrity
• Ability to unify and lead with innovation
• Confidence, charisma, and strong public speaking skills
• Adept at maintaining relations with various stakeholders
• Strong financial management and administrative skills
• Knowledge of Arizona law, statutes and policy
• Exceptional networking skills with key figures in the education and government sectors
• In-depth knowledge of nonprofit organization management
• Understanding and experience in working with diverse boards (rural, urban, CTEDs)
• Awareness of challenges faced by Native/Federal entities and tribal organizations
• Experience in membership organizations and strategies to regain and enhance membership
• Regular engagement with educational executives and key associations
• Change agent with experience in implementing change without disruption
• Strategic thinking in fostering stability and fundraising
• Understanding of the challenges of school board governance
• Commitment to the development of successful board leaders
• In-depth knowledge and adherence to bylaws, policies, and standard operating procedures
• Ability to create a positive, safe, and collaborative organization culture
• Awareness of the nuances between different areas in Arizona
• Ability to foster an environment that is collaborative, professional, positive and safe
• Arizona School Board Association Membership highlighted the following as their priorities in the next Executive Director:
• Strong Communication Skills: Effective communication was highlighted as vital for fostering collaboration and advancing ASBA’s mission
• Team Collaboration Abilities: The ability to work collaboratively with teams was seen as crucial for effective leadership
• Visionary Leadership Qualities: Visionary leadership was deemed essential for guiding ASBA toward its goals and objectives
  
  

Qualifications For Employment

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced preferred
• Must agree to undergo a background check and possess a fingerprint clearance card
• Five or more years of professional, supervisory experience within an educational institution, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or other education sector entity
• Familiarity and recognition within Arizona
  
  

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $175,000 - $195,000. ASBA also offers generous PTO, a 12% retirement plan contribution, and an employer contribution to a health insurance plan.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

ASBA actively welcomes all candidates from a wide range of backgrounds who have the skills to help lead and shape this dynamic association – regardless of compensation history. The ASBA is an Equal Opportunity Employer that believes a diverse staff of qualified and highly skilled individuals is necessary to achieve its mission.

Application Process

The search for the ASBA Executive Director is being conducted by The Moran Company. Questions about the position can be directed to Mike English, The Moran Company; mike (at) Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position.

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