Fast Facts

AVID Center is seeking an Executive Director for Multi-State Programs responsible for strategic growth and advancement of AVID across Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, ensuring effective implementation and driving measurable impact through leadership of a team of Implementation Strategists.

Responsibilities: The Executive Director will develop and implement strategic plans, supervise Implementation Strategists, engage in state-level conversations, and build strategic partnerships to align AVID goals with education initiatives.

Skills: Required skills include leadership, data-driven decision-making, strategic relationship building, and experience in educational partnerships.

Qualifications: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in education or related field, with preferred experience in leadership roles within the education sector and a Master's degree for additional consideration.

Location: This remote position requires significant travel (approx. 50%) within the Heartland Area (AR, IL, KS, MO, OK), with a preference for candidates located in or willing to relocate to these states.

Compensation: $129989 - $165736 / Annually

WHAT IS AVID?

AVID students overcome obstacles and succeed, graduating and attending college at higher rates. More importantly, they think critically, collaborate, and set high expectations to tackle future challenges.

AVID is implemented in more than 7,400 K–12 schools across the United States, plus schools in Washington, D.C., the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Australia.

WHAT IS THE JOB?

The Executive Director, Multi-State Programs, leads the strategic growth and advancement of AVID across an assigned area team. This position is responsible for driving measurable impact by setting clear goals, influencing key policies, and building strategic partnerships. The Executive Director will ensure the effective implementation of AVID to fulfill the organization's mission and vision through the leadership and supervision of a team of Implementation Strategists.

WHY WORK WITH US?

• Competitive Salary: We've done our research and pay generously to attract the best to join our team. That's why we offer all employees above the midpoint of our salary range right from the start. There are no negotiations and no hassle, and you can be confident that you are being valued and offered an equitable salary. See below for our offer rates based on your geography.
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• Taking Care of You Allowance: All full-time AVID Center employees receive an extra $10,000 annually to support them in the most meaningful ways: housing costs, transportation, family expenses— whatever your needs may be.
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• Retirement Planning: AVID Center provides a 10% salary contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan plus a $5,000 annual contribution to an exclusive 457(b) retirement plan, starting on day one.*
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• Flexibility in Work: This position requires significant travel (approximately 50%) but allows you to work 100% remotely when not travelling, allowing you to live anywhere within the Heartland Area (Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma).
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• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): This position is eligible for 27 days of PTO per year, with 12 paid holidays plus a winter break in between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
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• Longevity Awards: Full-time employees receive cash bonuses to celebrate important anniversary milestones, starting at 5 years of service and every 5 years after that.
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• Continued education opportunities: All full-time employees with at least 1 year of continuous AVID Center service are eligible for $5,250 per calendar year in tuition reimbursement for qualifying coursework or certification.
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• Company-Provided Equipment: Our home office set-up includes a laptop, dock, and extra monitor, with other amenities available on request.
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• Health and Welfare Plans to Support Every Aspect of Your Well-Being: AVID Center offers several benefits plans through our provider, Aetna, and greatly subsidizes the cost of these plans.
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• Connect in Person: A yearly All-Staff gathering will allow you to connect in person with the entire AVID team.

* Only director-level positions and above are eligible to participate in AVID's 457(b) retirement plan.

Pay rates for this position:

We bring in all employees above the midpoint of the salary range for your role. Knowing that not all cities share the same cost of labor, we make offers using a tiered approach based on your geographical location. While the majority reside in Zone 1 or Zone 2 areas, we acknowledge variations, even within counties, ensuring fair compensation for all based on their specific location's cost of labor.

For the Executive Director, Multi-State Programs position, here is what we will offer:

Zone 1 (areas characterized by lower labor costs [e.g., Charleston, WV, Cleveland, OH, Phoenix, AZ, Omaha, NE, etc.]): $129,989 annually

Zone 2 (areas with moderate labor costs [e.g., Syracuse, NY, Ann Arbor, MI, Denver, CO, San Diego, CA, etc.]): $139,738 annually

Zone 3 (areas known for high labor costs [e.g., Washington, D.C., Trenton, NJ, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, etc.]): $149,487 annually

Zone 4 (areas with the highest labor costs [e.g., Bridgeport, CT, New York City, NY, San Francisco, CA, San Jose, CA, etc.]): $165,736 annually

WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THIS ROLE?

• Drive the development and implementation of strategic plans, developing and monitoring budgets and resource allocations to meet departmental and mission goals.
• Supervise and coach Implementation Strategists to provide team leadership, monitor performance, and ensure accountability for quality implementation actions. This includes conducting bi-weekly 1:1 check-ins, collaborative site/district visits (when necessary), and ensuring the timely and accurate recording of school and district interactions.
• Monitor implementation data to lead and support continuous improvement efforts within area teams.
• Actively participate in executive-level professional learning communities to deepen leadership practice, share insights, and contribute to a collective strategy for AVID’s national impact, leveraging data analysis to support data-driven decision-making and needs assessment for the Implementation Strategist team.
• Engage at the state level by serving as a strategic representative and leader, actively participating in conversations and influencing education agendas.
• Position AVID as a relevant partner by aligning the organization's goals with state education initiatives and funding priorities.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coherent implementation strategies and the integration of AVID within district- and state-level systems.
• Develop and influence high-level state and education networks through strategic relationship building, advocacy, and collaborative partnership development.
• Monitor all AVID impact measures using data to inform implementation strategies and team support.
• Ensure that the network of Implementation Strategists operates as a cohesive, collaborative unit to drive effective problem-solving.

WHO ARE YOU?

• You are an AVID practitioner at heart who understands what quality implementation looks like at scale.
• You are a leader who balances big-picture strategy with disciplined execution and follow-through, and can strategically lead a team of dedicated Implementation Strategists toward quality implementation of the AVID College and Career Readiness System with all partners in the region.
• You are a connector who has experience building and sustaining state-level education partnerships and aligning district needs, state priorities, and organizational strategy.
• You are a systems thinker who has implemented AVID as a district strategic lever, not just a program.
• You are a communicator who builds understanding and alignment with leaders, educators, and students at varying levels.
• You are a coach and enjoy the process of leading a team through an implementation, project, professional learning, and improvement plans.
• Others describe you as a listener because you know how to listen to individual needs and successfully align them with resolutions and successful outcomes.
• You like to get in the weeds with data and have familiarity using data to guide decisions, support teams, and strengthen implementation over time.
• You have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in education or a related field and have experience as a principal, in a central office role, or other comparable system-level leadership.
• You are comfortable working remotely with an ability for frequent travel within your assigned territory (about 50%).
• Must be located in the Heartland Area (AR, IL, KS, MO, OK), or be willing to relocate for the role.

NICE TO HAVES?

• Experience as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or other comparable system-level leadership.
• Experience in serving nonprofit organizations or educational institutions that prepare students for success in high school, college, and a career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
• Experience leading large teams or organizations within the education industry.
• Experience with ELL/ESL and/or multicultural learning environments.
• Subject-matter expertise in areas such as special education, STEM, social and emotional learning, career and technical education, or digital teaching and learning.
• Master's degree in school administration, education, or related field.

*Allowable Substitutions: Any combination of experience, training, or credential certification endorsement that provides the incumbent/applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work, as determined by AVID Center. Qualifying work experience, as identified by the Senior Director, Human Resources, may substitute for the education requirement.

AVID Center is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles) color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity and gender expression (including transgender individuals who are transitioning, have transitioned, or are perceived to be transitioning to the gender with which they identify), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal laws. 

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the AVID Center will hire only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

AVID Center complies with federal and state disability laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. AVID Center encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with People Operations.