Director of State Affiliate Relations

Director Of State Affiliate Relationships

Founded in 1857, the National Education Association (NEA) is America's oldest and largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NEA proudly claims nearly 3 million members devoted to the following mission: to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education by preparing every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. The NEA is also the single largest labor union in the United States, advocating for the excellent and equitable public education system that all students, educators, and communities deserve. As an employer, NEA recognizes and honors the right of employees to form unions and collectively bargain. As such, most of NEA's national staff belong to one of three staff unions.

NEA seeks a Director of State Affiliate Relationships. The Director must be able to support state affiliate presidents' and executive directors' professional development while simultaneously moving NEA's organizing objectives forward in a highly complex environment while balancing the competing needs of various stakeholders. The Director will coordinate and, at times, provide training during the transition and onboarding of new presidents and executive directors. In addition, the Director may provide coaching and organizational development support, as well as partner with state affiliates and support them when they are hiring an executive director. The Director will report to the NEA Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and deliver the new state affiliate presidents' orientation and curriculum.
• Coordinate and deliver the new state affiliate executive directors' orientation and curriculum.
• Coordinate and deliver the new state affiliate leadership team training and provide ongoing coaching.
• Coordinate and supervise state affiliate president and executive director confidential mentoring programs.
• Assess and co-design innovative and effective learning experiences for state affiliate staff and leaders to support their development as leaders.
• Provide coaching, strategic advice, and organizational development support to state affiliate presidents and executive directors, establishing high degrees of trust and the ability to safeguard confidentiality.
• Coordinate a comprehensive executive director hiring process that provides support from the initial stage of defining necessary executive core competencies through selection and hiring.
• Administer the Unified State Executive Directors Program.
• Act strategically in rapidly changing internal and external environments, advising staff and elected leaders on opportunities and challenges that they are facing.
• Implement budgets that ensure strong stewardship of members' dues, concentrating on a return on investment for all programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills may be acquired.
• Relevant graduate degree and/or certification preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of NEA association or equivalent experience is required, with at least three years of executive-level experience preferred.
• Management experience required. Management experience within a union environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience in creating training for adult learners and strong facilitation skills.
• Proven skills as an organizer and in overseeing successful organizing efforts.
• Proven experience with mediation and conflict resolution.
• Proven experience successfully managing individuals, teams, projects, and budgets, as well as ensuring legal compliance.
• Experience as an organizational advocate for education, labor, and/or social justice issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills related to organizational development, strategic planning, and organizational governance.
• Effective skills in supervision, decision-making, oral/written communications, policy analysis, interpersonal relations, team building, and collaboration.
• Established high standards of performance to ensure accountability for work results.
• Experience working collaboratively across a complex organization to ensure effective integration and alignment of resources and programs.
• Extensive travel required.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the following is provided: The position involves skill in using a computer and/or laptop; oral and written communication skills; skills in proofreading and editing; use of clear and articulate speech; interpersonal relations skills; reasoning and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment; ability to sit for long periods, stoop, bend, reach and carry light materials (up to 10 lbs.); and ability to travel by various methods of transportation, e.g., airplane, car.

NEA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. To apply for this position or to search for other openings, please go to our jobs page at Careers at NEA (myworkdayjobs.com). NEA Participates in E-Verify. Right to Work. NEA complies with the DC Wage Transparency Act of 2023.