Program Director, Academics and Educator Pathways

The Program Director, Academics and Educator Pathways is a key role that leads the National Fund's work to strengthen outcomes for students in BIE schools by supporting programs to improve instruction, build the educator pipeline, and support teachers and school leaders. The Program Director, Academics and Educator Pathways will implement strategy and manage grants and pilots, build partnerships with Tribal Nations and BIE leadership, lead programmatic reporting to funders and BIE, and supervise the Program Coordinator. This position is funded through the National Fund’s Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, including required match, through December 31, 2030. This is a full-time, exempt position with health insurance, paid holidays, and PTO.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as day-to-day lead for the National Fund’s EIR grant, responsible for delivering the approved project plan, budget, and performance measures in compliance with Department of Education requirements and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Lead the Innovation & Sovereignty program portfolio, covering academic outcomes, principal leadership, and teacher recruitment, retention, and development, and technical assistance to Tribal education departments and Tribally-controlled school leaders
• Serve as the National Fund's lead thought partner to BIE, Tribal Nations, and Tribal education departments on initiatives in the portfolio.
• Supervise and develop the Program Coordinator (Literacy), and work with other members of the National Fund leadership team to carry out programs on time and on budget.

Academics & Innovation

• Oversee academic initiatives in areas such as literacy, math, culturally sustaining curriculum, and identify promising Indigenous-led models to pilot and scale.
• Manage grants, pilots, and sub-awards to schools and partners, including scopes of work, budgets, milestones, and outcomes.
• Build evaluation and learning plans with partners, and use data to refine programs and report impact to funders and BIE.
• Lead programmatic reporting for the portfolio, including tracking grant deliverables and outcomes, preparing progress and final reports for federal and philanthropic funders and BIE, and coordinating with those responsible for reporting.

Principals & Teachers

• Lead programs that strengthen school leadership, such as principal cohorts, coaching, and peer-learning networks.
• Implement strategies to recruit, prepare, and retain educators, including grow-your-own pathways for Native educators and partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Universities and educator-preparation programs.
• Manage professional learning and convenings for teachers and school leaders, working with the Delivery Leads on events and logistics.

Sovereignty, Partnerships & Resource Development

• Center tribal sovereignty in program design by partnering with Tribal Nations, Tribally controlled schools, and tribal education departments so communities lead decisions about their students.
• Represent the National Fund with funders and at conferences and convenings, and contribute to thought leadership and policy work alongside the Senior Advisor, Policy & Programming.

Other Duties As Assigned

• This role requires a high degree of initiative and independent work, balanced with collaboration and regular communication with Fund leadership and partners.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in K–12 education, school leadership, education philanthropy, or nonprofit program leadership, including experience managing staff and multi-site programs.
• Content knowledge in K-12 education
• Experience in Tribal or Indigenous communities.
• Track record of designing, funding, and managing programs or grants with measurable academic outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to build partnerships and manage coalitions
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly BIE-funded schools and partner convenings in other states up to 50% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with BIE schools, Tribal education departments, or Native‑serving organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive and community‑driven approaches to education.
• Master's or doctoral degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field.
• Experience as a teacher, principal, or school or district administrator, ideally in a Native-serving school.
• Experience in consulting, technical assistance, or working in matrix organizations.
• Experience securing and managing federal education grants, including compliance and reporting.
• A strong preference for those located in Arizona or New Mexico.

Core Competencies

• Relationship‑centered and collaborative working style
• Cultural humility and respect for tribal sovereignty and community leadership
• Content knowledge in K-12 instruction and educator pipeline
• Strategic thinking and the ability to turn strategy into workable programs
• People leadership, coaching, and staff development
• Attention to detail and follow‑through
• Adaptability and problem‑solving skills