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Democracy Prep Public Schools, Chief Executive Officer
New York, NY, USA
ORGANIZATION
Democracy Prep Public Schools (DPPS) was founded in Harlem in 2005 with a bold mission: to educate responsible citizen-scholars for success in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship. What began as a single school has grown into a nationally recognized network serving over 5,500 students in grades K–12 across multiple states.
At Democracy Prep, academic excellence and civic engagement go hand in hand. We believe that preparing students for college is just the beginning—that they must also be equipped to lead, serve, and shape a better world. Our schools combine rigorous instruction, a joyful culture of high expectations, and transformative experiences—from global travel to local activism—to help every student see themselves as powerful agents of change.
Our work is grounded in the unwavering belief that all students can achieve at the highest levels, and our community of passionate, mission-aligned educators is the heart of that effort. Together, we are building schools that inspire, challenge, and prepare the next generation of changemakers.
To learn more, visit: www.democracyprep.org
OPPORTUNITY
Democracy Prep is at a pivotal moment in its journey—one that demands renewed academic excellence, stronger student retention, and the ability to attract top talent. With a refreshed strategic plan, a strong foundation of values, and a legacy of civic impact, the organization is positioned to reassert itself as a top-performing educational network and an exemplar in the charter sector.
We seek a bold, strategic leader with demonstrated experience leading at the network level within K–12 education. The next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will bring deep expertise in managing complex, multi-site educational organizations and a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing charter schools today.
This leader will be charged with driving academic outcomes, stabilizing and growing enrollment, building scalable systems, empowering staff and school leaders, and serving as a compelling public advocate for our mission. The right candidate will have the ability to align a high-performing team around a shared vision, make tough decisions with clarity and courage, and build strong partnerships inside and outside the organization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer include:
Set Vision & Strategy
Define and implement a bold, forward-looking strategy aligned with Democracy Prep’s mission and values.
Guide long-term planning with clearly articulated academic, operational, and civic goals.
Connect regularly with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the strategic vision reflects the evolving needs, priorities, and aspirations of the Democracy Prep community.
Ensure coherence between organizational vision and on-the-ground practice across all campuses.
Continuously assess the internal and external landscape to identify opportunities and risks.
Drive Academic Excellence
Partner with instructional leaders to ensure high-quality teaching and learning across the network.
Establish clear systems of accountability and support to improve student outcomes.
Elevate and replicate best practices across schools to close opportunity gaps.
Foster a mindset shift toward collective ownership of academic excellence and a culture that prioritizes high expectations for all students.
Support & Strengthen a High-Performing Team
Empower and align the senior leadership team to execute on strategic goals with clarity and accountability.
Foster a culture of collaboration, high expectations, and shared ownership across central office and school-based teams.
Ensure leaders have the support, resources, and development opportunities they need to thrive and grow in their roles.
Maintain systems for effective team communication, cross-functional alignment, and consistent performance tracking.
Ensure Financial Sustainability & Operational Effectiveness
Partner with the CFO to build a durable financial structure, optimize resource allocation, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Address enrollment and retention challenges through data-informed strategies and targeted investment.
Build scalable systems that reduce dependency on individuals and increase organizational resilience.
Lead External Relations & Development
Serve as the public face of the organization with funders, families, authorizers, and the broader education ecosystem.
Strengthen the Democracy Prep brand and narrative, raising visibility and trust.
Build and maintain relationships with donors and partners to expand and diversify revenue.
Foster Equity, Innovation, & Organizational Health
Champion a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization, leading with transparency and cultural competence.
Develop clear performance management systems that recognize and reward excellence.
Nurture a culture of learning, innovation, and feedback among staff at all levels.
Engage & Steward Governance & Stakeholders
Collaborate with the Board of Directors, providing timely updates and strategic counsel.
Build trust with students, families, and community members through consistent and authentic communication.
Lead through transitions with steadiness, adaptability, and a deep sense of care for the people of DPPS.
Requirements
In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Chief Executive Officer candidate will have:
10+ years of senior leadership experience in a multi-site education or nonprofit organization; experience as a CEO, COO, CSO, or similar preferred.
Deep understanding of educational equity and a track record of serving diverse student populations, where racial, linguistic, and economic equity must be centered in all decision-making.
Deep knowledge of charter school environments, ideally including experience in New York or comparable markets.
Demonstrated success leading through organizational change, growth, or turnaround at scale.
Board engagement and fundraising experience; able to build relationships and secure resources.
Hands-on experience in schools or community-based organizations, grounding decision-making in the lived experience of educators and students.
Experience developing strategic partnerships and engaging in education policy work to expand organizational influence, visibility, and fundraising opportunities.
Skills & Competencies
Inspirational and visionary leader who can rally stakeholders around a shared mission.
Strategic thinker with strong systems orientation; creates scalable solutions not dependent on individuals.
Decisive and disciplined leader; holds self and others accountable for clear outcomes.
Skilled in change management, with the emotional intelligence to guide teams through transition.
Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and an authentic ability to build trust across lines of difference.
Strong financial acumen; experienced in managing budgets, ROI-driven decision-making, and sustainability planning.
Compelling communicator and relationship-builder, both internally and externally.
Benefits
This position offers a competitive salary range of $380,000 - $425,000 and robust benefits including:
Maternity and Paternity Leave: a twelve-week fully paid maternity or paternity leave is available to employees who have been with DP for at least two years;
Retirement planning: you have the option of enrolling in a pre-tax 403b or post-tax Roth with matching options;
As a DPPS employee, you can choose between three medical plans to select what best suits your needs. DPPS also provides options for dental, vision, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), a Dependent Care Account (DCA), a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and an Employee Assistant Program (EAP).
More details can be provided upon request.
TO APPLY
Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/FD5A4C904A/.
Democracy Prep 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.
$380,000-425,000
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