Chief Executive Officer

Job description

ORGANIZATION

Advancing teacher preparation for stronger schools and better outcomes for all students.

Founded in 2013, TPI-US (Teacher Preparation Inspection-US) has established itself as a national leader in strengthening the quality of educator preparation, firmly rooted in the conviction that every child deserves an effective and well-prepared teacher. We achieve this through the implementation of independent, evidence-based evaluations, effective improvement strategies, and the application of rigorous accountability measures, which collectively empower educator preparation programs (EPPs) to critically assess and elevate their practices and student outcomes. Central to our approach is a strong focus on implementation strategies—offering actionable recommendations and ongoing technical support—to ensure that improvements are not only identified but effectively realized. Our partnerships extend to a diverse array of state education agencies, education non-profits, philanthropies, and EPPs across over 20 states, including large universities, independent colleges, and alternative routes, allowing them to develop data-informed solutions that address complex challenges and yield meaningful results for aspiring teachers and the diverse student populations they will serve.

As TPI-US strategically enters its next phase of growth and influence, they are firmly committed to expanding their reach and deepening their partnerships within the field to further ensure that accountability, program quality, and equity of outcomes remain at the forefront of teacher preparation initiatives nationwide.

For more information about their mission, approach, tools, and partnerships, please visit www.tpius.org.

OPPORTUNITY

TPI-US seeks a strategic and visionary leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The next TPI-US CEO will lead with equity at the center—ensuring that every strategic decision, partnership, and policy initiative advances access to well-prepared, effective educators for all students. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with staff, the CEO will be responsible for advancing TPI-US’s mission, leading with purpose and humility, and positioning the organization for its next phase of growth and impact.

The ideal candidate will bring an understanding of the educator preparation ecosystem, an ability to engage across higher education and K-12 systems, a demonstrated commitment to accountability and outcomes, and a strong background in nonprofit management and growth. They will be an entrepreneurial leader who embraces innovation, values evidence-based decision-making, and excels at fundraising, partnership-building, and team leadership. The CEO will galvanize the TPI-US community, foster strong relationships, and ensure operational excellence across a primarily remote organization made up of a small group of full-time staff and a network of expert consultants.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities of the CEO include:

• Strategic Leadership & Execution: The CEO will lead TPI-US in setting a bold, forward-thinking vision for the future of educator preparation. Building on the organization’s strong foundation, the CEO will be responsible for advancing TPI-US’s strategic plan to ensure alignment with mission and impact goals. This includes identifying growth opportunities, scaling partnerships, and ensuring a culture of accountability and outcomes-driven work across the organization.
• Organizational Leadership & People Manageme nt: The CEO will foster a cohesive, high-performing and trusting organizational culture, managing and supporting a distributed team of staff and consultants. With a focus on collaboration, transparency, and equity, the CEO will ensure effective internal systems, build leadership capacity, and align the organization’s people and processes to achieve strategic objectives.
• Revenue Strategy & Fundraising: The CEO will design and execute a comprehensive revenue strategy that sustains and grows TPI-US’s financial health. This includes strengthening and expanding partnerships with state agencies, philanthropies, and educator preparation programs, and diversifying funding streams through a mix of grants, contracts, and innovative partnerships. The CEO will champion fundraising efforts that support both programmatic work and organizational capacity building.
• Program Leadership & Impact: The CEO will oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of TPI-US’s program portfolio, ensuring that services remain evidence-based, responsive to partner needs, and aligned with the organization’s mission. The CEO will guide program innovation and drive accountability, ensuring that TPI-US remains at the forefront of advancing teacher preparation quality nationwide.
• Board Governance & Partnership: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will cultivate a strong, collaborative relationship with the Board, ensuring effective governance, financial oversight, and mission alignment. The CEO will engage Board members through transparent communication, strategic planning discussions, and shared leadership in stewarding the organization’s mission and sustainability.
• External Relations & Brand Stewardship: As the lead ambassador for TPI-US, the CEO will elevate the organization’s visibility, credibility, and thought leadership within the educator preparation, education, philanthropy, and policy landscapes. The CEO will represent TPI-US at conferences, in publications, and through media engagement, articulating a compelling vision for the organization’s role in transforming educator preparation.

YEAR-1 PRIORITIES

A successful first year in this role for the new CEO will include:

• Expand Impact & Partnerships for National Leadership: The CEO will be responsible for executing current programmatic commitments while strategically developing new service offerings to drive growth. Simultaneously, a key priority will be to strengthen existing state partnerships, secure new state-level contracts, and cultivate deeper relationships with key stakeholders to significantly advance TPI-US’s national footprint and impact. This includes actively positioning TPI-US as a leading voice in teacher preparation accountability and improvement through increased participation in convenings, publications, research, and online/professional communities.
• Secure Financial Sustainability & Diversified Growth: A critical focus for the CEO will be ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of TPI-US. This involves driving strong fee-for-service revenue while expanding philanthropic support. The CEO will implement robust financial strategies that support a sustainable growth trajectory over the next five years. This also necessitates building the internal capacity, including assessing necessary staffing structures and systems, to effectively support both current program delivery and the development of new service offerings.
• Cultivate a High-Performing & Mission-Aligned Organization: The CEO will be responsible for ensuring that TPI-US’s internal organizational capacity, including its team culture and operations, is fully aligned with its mission and strategic objectives. This involves fostering a cohesive and high-performing team environment that supports the organization’s goals and values. The CEO will lead efforts to ensure efficient and effective operations that enable TPI-US to achieve its strategic vision and deliver on its commitment to advancing the quality of teacher preparation nationwide.

We expect the ideal CEO candidate to bring a strong combination of the following qualifications and attributes:

• Understanding of the mission and vision of TPI-US, including a strong track record of aligned, values-based leadership.
• At least five years of experience in an executive role in organizations of similar size and scope is required (i.e. Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or Chief Program Officer is preferred). Experience leading a Non-Profit organization is preferred.
• Extensive experience increasing and diversifying organizational revenues through various sources, including but not limited to institutional and individual philanthropy, fee-for-service contracts, and earned revenue through monetization channels.
• Experience building high-level relationships with key stakeholders, such as state departments of education, education policy leaders, university systems leadership, teacher preparation program leaders, education advocacy organization, and diverse funders.
• Understanding of the U.S. teacher preparation landscape, encompassing state and federal policies, the internal dynamics of universities and other EPP-hosting organizations, and a broad experiential knowledge of the challenges and opportunities within PK-16 education.
• Proven experience in implementing evidence-based improvement and accountability programs, including leveraging emerging technology, and a strong familiarity with the current research base informing both K-12 education and educator preparation programs.
• At least three years of experience working directly with a Board of Directors in a nonprofit setting.
• Excellent public speaking, writing, and communication skills.

This position offers a competitive salary range of $225,000 - $250,000 and robust benefits, including reimbursement of health and dental premiums purchased through the marketplace (up to a reasonable amount), a 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match and immediate vesting, and additional benefits. More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/738EEA7697/.

TPI-US is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.