Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships

Position Overview

Teaching Matters is a national nonprofit organization, headquartered in New York City, with the mission to close the opportunity gap of a radically unequal education system for underserved and historically marginalized children. From states and districts to schools and classrooms, we partner to help teachers and school leaders develop the skills they need to teach well, lead their peers, and drive school-wide improvement.

The Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships is a key leadership role and a direct report to the CEO. This hybrid role requires a regular presence in New York City; tri-state area candidates preferred. The VP serves as a strategic right hand to the CEO, helping develop organizational structures and strategies that support growth, building strong connections across the leadership team, and advancing Teaching Matters’ influence through partnerships, fundraising, and policy engagement. The VP will lead select projects independently, act as a connector across functions, and partner closely with the CEO on external relationships, ensuring Teaching Matters continues to elevate its voice on teacher effectiveness, equity, and quality.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Alignment

• Partner with the CEO to translate the Strategic Plan into annual operating plans with clear milestones.

• Facilitate annual strategic planning cycles and track progress against organizational goals.

• Support the cadence of executive team meetings and board engagement, ensuring alignment and accountability.

• Provide data-driven insights and scenario planning for expansion, risk management, and organizational readiness.

• In the first year, play a bridging role across the organization, supporting the CEO with cross-functional coordination and advancing strategic priorities.

2. Partnerships & Growth

• Design and execute growth strategies that expand Teaching Matters’ reach beyond NYC into high-need districts and states.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with district leaders, state agencies, curriculum partners, and national organizations.

• Develop state- or district-specific partnership playbooks that align to local education policy contexts.

• Represent Teaching Matters at national convenings (e.g., CCSSO, AASA, Carnegie Foundation) to elevate the brand and amplify our voice on teacher effectiveness and equity.

• Ensure that partnership development with states and districts aligns with Teaching Matters’ equity agenda, program capacity, and long-term growth plan.

3. Fundraising & Development

• Provide strategic leadership for fundraising by stewarding select high-level funder relationships and aligning the development team’s work to organizational priorities and long-term growth.

• Co-develop multi-year funding strategies with CEO that position Teaching Matters to grow beyond its current $3-5M annual fundraising base.

• Direct Reports: Director of Development; Associate Director of Development.

4. Marketing, Policy & Brand

• Provide strategic direction for Teaching Matters’ brand and influence, working with the external communications partner to amplify the organization’s visibility, storytelling, and policy voice.

• Lead the development of thought leadership (white papers, briefs, policy recommendations) to influence practice and policy.

• Strengthen visibility by engaging in advocacy coalitions and building relationships with policymakers and education influencers.

• Direct Reports: Director of Communications (anticipated).

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or education-related field) preferred.

• At least 5 years experience in K-12 education.

• Minimum 10 years in senior leadership with demonstrated success in growth strategy, partnerships, or fundraising.

• Strong track record of developing strategy, cultivating partnerships, and influencing policy in education or adjacent sectors.

• Demonstrated people management and leadership skills.

• Excellent communicator with strong facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Comfort navigating complex political and policy landscapes.

• Experience working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented nonprofit or education organization preferred.

Salary Range: $179, 516 - $209,435

Please see our Compensation Philosophy for more information.

Core Competencies – Vice President of Strategy & Partnerships

People Leadership

• Leads and empowers staff through clear expectations, coaching, and feedback, ensuring individual growth and alignment to organizational strategy.

• Connects and coordinates across programs, development, operations, and communications to drive strategic alignment.

• Delegates effectively and ensures accountability for high-quality, on-time, and on-budget delivery.

Strategy & Growth

• Provides senior leadership for fundraising strategy, cultivating select major funders while aligning Development’s work to organizational growth goals.

• Identifies and advances new district and state opportunities, ensuring growth aligns with Teaching Matters’ equity mission and capacity.

• Shapes and communicates policy positions to elevate teacher effectiveness and inform organizational strategy.

Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

• Designs and sustains partnerships with states, districts, funders, and national organizations that advance Teaching Matters’ mission.

• Anticipates challenges, adapts in real time, and ensures partnerships deliver mutual value and impact.

• Builds trusted relationships that expand organizational influence and long-term sustainability.

Data & Evaluation

• Uses data to inform decisions, measure outcomes, and refine strategies for growth and partnerships.

• Codifies and shares learnings across the organization, strengthening knowledge management and organizational capacity.

Communications & Influence

• Provides strategic direction for brand and visibility, ensuring consistent and intentional messaging across audiences.

• Represents Teaching Matters publicly and supports the CEO in thought leadership through convenings, speeches, and publications.

• Leverages coalitions and advocacy platforms to strengthen visibility and policy influence.

Teaching Matters is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or partnership status, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are also committed to affirmative action and to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and employment.