Job Description

Achievement First (AF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that currently supports 41 public charter schools in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. AF has consistently been rated one of the top charter school networks in the country, and we are still learning and growing. The majority of our students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. We currently employ more than 2,000 staff — 47% of whom identify as Black, Latino/x, or Multi-racial — who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students in Brooklyn, NY; Providence, RI; and New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford CT.

The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all of America's children. We know that every child—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to great schools. At AF, our students realize their potential and develop the skills they need to graduate from college, succeed in a competitive world, and serve as the next generation of leaders in our community. At the core of our approach is the shared journey by our students and staff to fulfill our incredible potential. For more information about the Achievement First mission, model, our schools and team, please visit our website at www.achievement first.org.

We are looking for a strategic and results-driven Chief Equity Officer to join our team.

Your Impact

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Equity Officer will be responsible for infusing our diversity, equity and inclusive (DEI) beliefs and our Leading for Racial Equity (LRE) throughout all aspects of our work at Achievement First. Working with and through the leadership team, the Chief Equity Officer will develop and support the implementation of multi-year equity goals that further the realization of our vision and mission. The Chief Equity Officer will promote a culture of equity and inclusion through our ongoing operational, programming and strategic planning work. This individual will work integrally with the Superintendent and school leadership team to identify, foster, and measure progress on initiatives to drive educational equity for our students. The Chief Equity Officer will work in close collaboration with our human resource and talent teams to ensure that all employee processes and policies are refined and implemented through the lens of our profound commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, will:

• Partner with the CEO and the leadership team to review, refine and implement our Achievement First Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan using input from our diverse stakeholder base, ensuring that it puts us on a path to realize Achievement First's vision and mission
• Establish a roadmap of organizational and functional multi-year goals and impact that help us realize our LRE value and commitment to DEI, and lead communication and awareness of our efforts, in collaboration with our boards and each chief
• Identify and work cross functionally to track key metrics for DEI that allows us to effectively analyze and measure our progress in promoting a more diverse and inclusive workplace, including recruitment and selection, performance management, leadership development, promotion, and professional development
• Partner with the leadership team and our boards to embed inclusive practices within all areas of our work and reach with an emphasis on DEI in our recruitment and selection, onboarding, leadership development and promotion processes and policy.
• Develop and implement professional development opportunities for our employees with an emphasis on racial and equity awareness
• Provide strategic guidance to our leadership teams on equity and diversity matters related to students, employees, and parents
• Work with our schools and instructional team to develop and implement systems and procedures to address the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students, parents, and families and promote supportive and culturally responsive learning environment that foster academic achievement of all students

Candidate Profile

The following criteria and competencies are essential for success in this role:

• Ability to serve as a standard bearer and role model within our organization for Leading for Racial Equity
• Proven track record of effectively identifying and addressing complex racial equity issues - resulting in both strong outcomes AND a process that is driven by strong stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrated experience leading change in a large, multi-region organization, including effective planning, training, alignment, and progress monitoring.
• Strategic thinker, planner, and implementer who also has command of the details
• Highly skilled in building relationships and working effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders that are grounded in relational trust, accountability, community and transformation
• Ability and courage to be vigilant in naming, celebrating, and addressing the areas in which we are Leading for Racial Equity and addressing the areas in which we need to improve.
• Ability to approach complex issues with an adaptive lens to seek out the root issues and guide our organization to address the systemic barriers to issues getting in the way of Leading for Racial Equity.
• A bachelors degree is required, a relevant masters degree is preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience leading strategic work that is built upon tangible outcomes.
• Experienced people leader with a track record of building teams and developing their direct reports.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Experience with data analytics and comfort using data to influence and promote a more inclusive workplace.
• Experience within K-12 education is ideal but not required.

To Apply

Apply by completing our online application form.

Achievement First requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Reasonable accommodations based on a qualifying disability or held religious belief are being considered in accordance with applicable law. Click here to read our full policy.

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