This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of a partner company. We are currently looking for a Smarter Balanced, Deputy Executive Director in United States.
This senior executive role provides enterprise-level leadership across a nationally recognized educational assessment organization responsible for large-scale, standards-aligned testing systems used by multiple states and territories. The position plays a pivotal role in ensuring operational excellence, strategic alignment, and cross-functional coordination across finance, HR, product, research, and psychometrics. Acting as a key integrator, it supports data-informed decision-making while strengthening governance, transparency, and accountability across all functions. The role also serves as a critical escalation point for organizational risks and high-impact operational issues. As a member of the executive leadership team, it shapes long-term strategy, drives continuous improvement, and ensures the delivery of high-quality, equitable assessment systems. In the absence of the Executive Director, this position assumes full executive authority, ensuring continuity of leadership and organizational stability in all circumstances.
AccountabilitiesThis role provides strategic and operational leadership across the organization, ensuring alignment between mission, governance structures, and day-to-day execution:
- Lead cross-functional coordination to align strategy, resolve trade-offs, and support timely, transparent, and data-driven decision-making involving executive leadership, advisory bodies, and governing stakeholders.
- Oversee organizational risk management, compliance frameworks, and internal controls to ensure accountability, resilience, and adherence to public-sector policies and best practices.
- Provide executive oversight of core operational systems including finance, HR, production planning, and quality assurance, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and high-quality outputs.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across workflows, performance monitoring systems, and operational processes to enhance effectiveness and resource stewardship.
- Lead budget development and financial planning processes, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and responsible management of public and member resources.
- Supervise and develop senior executives across multiple divisions, fostering collaboration, leadership development, succession planning, and organizational culture.
- Act as interim Executive Director when needed, ensuring continuity of leadership, decision-making, and organizational stability during critical situations.
Requirements
The ideal candidate brings deep executive experience in large-scale educational assessment systems and public-sector organizational leadership:
- Advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, with extensive senior leadership background in education, assessment systems, or related domains.
- Proven experience working with state or national education agencies, including large-scale assessment programs and accountability systems.
- Strong track record of executive leadership in complex, multi-stakeholder environments requiring consensus-building and governance alignment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop executive teams, manage organizational change, and drive strategic planning at scale.
- Deep knowledge of K–12 assessment systems, state education environments, and relevant federal and state regulations.
- Experience overseeing operational systems such as finance, HR, and program delivery in mission-driven or public-sector organizations.
- Strong decision-making and crisis leadership skills, with the ability to manage high-stakes, time-sensitive organizational issues.
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
- Willingness and ability to travel periodically (approximately 1–2 times per month, up to 20%).
Benefits
- Competitive executive compensation aligned with public-sector leadership standards
- Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement plan and financial wellness benefits
- Paid time off and flexible leave policies
- Remote work flexibility with national collaboration opportunities
- Professional development and leadership growth support
- Mission-driven environment focused on educational equity and public impact
- Opportunity to influence large-scale national education assessment systems
How Jobgether works:
We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team.
We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!
Why Apply Through Jobgether?
Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.
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