Job Description

ABOUT PREP FOR PREP
Prep for Prep is a premier educational and leadership development program that develops ethical and effective leaders who reflect our diverse society. Prep identifies New York City’s most promising students of color, prepares them to excel at the nation's top independent schools, and supports their academic, professional, and personal growth through middle school, high school, college graduation, and beyond. A core component of the Prep for Prep experience is The Preparatory Component, a rigorous 14-month course that prepares students academically and socially to excel in an independent school.

 
Today, Prep’s more than 4,000 alumni serve in leadership roles in nearly every industry and facet of society, including education, business, finance, law, technology, media, government, charitable organizations, and the arts.  

 
Learn more about Prep for Prep at www.prepforprep.org.

 
Mission
Prep for Prep's mission is to develop future leaders by creating access for young people of color to first-rate educational, leadership development and professional advancement opportunities.

 
Our Motto
Prep’s motto is Excellence, Integrity, Commitment, and Courage. Beginning with the first orientation, the motto becomes a touchstone for students and reflects the core values that shape their actions and the Prep for Prep Community as a whole.

 
Our History
Founded by South Bronx schoolteacher Gary Simons, with the support of Columbia University’s Teachers College, Prep for Prep opened its doors in 1978 with 25 students and three teachers. Eleven independent schools offered places in their seventh-grade classes to Prep for Prep students. Since 1978, Prep for Prep has prepared and enrolled over 5,000 high-performing students in more than 150 independent schools throughout the Northeast.

 

KEY PREP FOR PREP FACTS
*Operating budget: $14.8 million
*Endowment: $47 million
*Students: 650+ students enrolled in independent schools and 600 in college each year
*Independent School Partners: 150+
*Alumni: 4,000+
*Staff: 71 Full-time and 170 Part-time positions
*Board of Trustees: 77 current members

 

POSITION SUMMARY
Prep for Prep seeks a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) committed to leading a transformational leadership development program that has a decades long track record of preparing ethical and effective leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. In collaboration with the Executive Leadership team and the Board of Trustees, the CEO will provide operational and strategic leadership for the organization and staff, overseeing the management and implementation of existing programs, as well as identifying opportunities to enhance and supplement those programs to ensure the organization’s continued effectiveness in an evolving educational and social landscape. The CEO will bring a personal and professional passion for the organization's mission and will serve as Prep's chief spokesperson and advocate to internal and external audiences, including students, families, alumni, school partners, trustees, donors, and other supporters.  The CEO will prioritize the organization's long-term programmatic and financial sustainability through strong fiscal management and ongoing philanthropic cultivation.

 
The CEO must currently live in or be willing to relocate to the New York City area.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Reports to

Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Executive Director
Chief Operating Officer
Director of Academic Programs
Director of Admissions
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships
Director of Leadership Development Opportunities
Director of Post-Placement Counseling

Other key relationships

Staff
Students, Alumni, Parents/Guardians/Families
Partner Independent Schools
Philanthropic Partners

IDEAL EXPERIENCE
Mission Orientation
Demonstrated commitment to Prep’s mission of developing ethical and effective leaders who reflect our diverse society. Experience serving diverse communities, with a particular focus on educational access, equity, belonging, and youth leadership development.

 
Visionary Leadership
Visionary leader with demonstrated experience developing and successfully implementing high impact educational, leadership development, or similar strategy and programming.  Strong ability to establish, communicate, and implement strategic goals.

 
Team Leadership and Stakeholder Management
Experience leading and managing diverse teams and supporting mentorship and professional development of staff.  Experience working effectively with a board of trustees, and strong ability to manage multiple and varied stakeholder groups such as program participants and their families, alumni, program partners, and funders.  

 
Operational and Financial Expertise
Experience managing the finances and operations of a large non-profit organization or similar entity, including familiarity with budgeting and forecasting.

 
Fundraising
Strong ability to develop, maintain and expand relationships with existing financial supporters, and to identify and build new sources of individual and organizational philanthropic support.

 
Education Sector Experience
Experience and familiarity with secondary and higher educational institutions, including independent schools in New York City and the Northeast.

 
Academic Credentials
Strong academic credentials; advanced degree is preferred.

KEY CAPABILITIES
*Genuine passion for Prep for Prep’s mission.

 
*Exceptional verbal communication, written, and interpersonal skills; ability to serve as inspiring advocate and chief spokesperson for mission-driven organization, and authentically engage and motivate diverse audiences to participate in the organization’s programming and support the organization’s mission; ability to effectively communicate strategic vision and programming to varied audiences.

 
*Business acumen; sound business judgment and ability to track key metrics and make data-driven management and operations decisions.

 
*Strategic mindset; ability to identify strategic opportunities to enhance program effectiveness and ensure continued long-term success in an evolving educational landscape.

 
*Long-term commitment; willingness to make long-term professional commitment to the organization.

 

 

COMPENSATION
$350,000-$400,000 based on skills, experience, abilities, and organizational needs. In addition to the annual salary, Prep for Prep offers a strong benefits package.

 

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS
To express interest or nominate a potential candidate for the Prep for Prep CEO position, please email: PrepforPrepCEO@spencerstuart.com.

Prep for Prep is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our students, alumni, families, and staff.

Job Tags

Full time, Part time, Relocation,

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