Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE) is seeking a full-time Executive Director based in Modesto, CA. This position reports to the Board of Directors.
Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE) is a nonprofit intermediary that connects classroom learning with the regional economy. For more than 30 years, we have worked in the space between education and industry, allowing us to remain nimble, agile, and flexible. SPIE is committed to its foundational services: helping K–12 school district partners connect with local businesses that provide meaningful career-connected learning opportunities for students. By aligning academic pathways with industry needs, we help students discover rewarding careers that support the Central Valley’s economic vitality.
Key Responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership & Intermediary Focus
- Provide strategic planning and leadership that keep organizational priorities focused for the Board, staff, and network partners.
- Serve as the key liaison between K–12 school district partners and industry leaders in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, health services, and emerging sectors.
- Champion the continued success and growth of core programs, including Career Education Grants, Educators in Industry, and daily Work-Based Learning (WBL) connections led by Partnership Strategists.
- Lead efforts to expand organizational capacity and deliver comprehensive, high-impact intermediary services to current and future district partners.
- Navigate school board, academic, corporate, and industrial settings to communicate the value and return on investment of partnerships to all stakeholders.
- Direct special projects using partner resources, board members, volunteers, or external consultants.
Revenue Generation & Financial Oversight
- Lead efforts to grow SPIE’s annual operating budget through a dynamic financial plan and revenue model that meets the region’s increasing demand for career-connected learning.
- Oversee revenue generation, budgeting, and identification of new funding sources, including district contracts and foundation grants.
- Engage and leverage the Board of Directors, including the Finance & Funding Committee, to establish paid employer partnership models and create a new funding model for 2027 and beyond.
- Assess the true cost of all programs to ensure alignment with revenue and organizational health.
Team Management & Operational Excellence
- Lead, manage, and develop a dedicated team that includes an Administrative Assistant, a Program Manager, and Partnership Strategists.
- Set annual goals, key performance indicators (KPIs), and documented internal processes, and hold staff accountable for results.
- Implement and manage a CRM system to track network growth, district relationships, and partnership touchpoints.
- Engage and manage outsourced consultants for specialized functions such as public relations, marketing, social media strategy, and grant writing.
Minimum Qualifications Include
- At least three years of professional leadership, management, or executive experience in a nonprofit environment.
- At least two years of experience leading fundraising, grant writing, corporate sponsorships, and budget oversight.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and public speaking skills, with the ability to serve as a compelling, highly visible community ambassador.
- Access to reliable transportation and availability to work varied shifts for community meetings and events, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Experience working closely with a Board of Directors to support governance and fiscal responsibility.
- Proven ability to build relationships and unite diverse business, education, and community leaders around shared goals.
- A high-energy builder who is flexible, responsive, adaptable, and creative, with the ability to build trust quickly and maintain strong community roots.
Preferred Qualifications Include
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
- Two years of experience working in or partnering with the K–12 education system, with a strong understanding of the Central Valley’s economic landscape.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- This position requires working in a hybrid office environment, using standard office equipment, and traveling locally and varying times of the day and evening, to partner sites, schools, and industry facilities across Stanislaus County. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
- Stanislaus Partners in Education is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Modesto, CA 95354
