Arkansas Education Association

Executive Director

Based out of Little Rock, AR

 

The Arkansas Education Association seeks an energetic, highly motivational, collaborative, and influential leader for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director will work in partnership with the Association's governance and staff to provide operational leadership for AEA to fulfill its vision. The successful candidate for this position must possess the commitment, vision, integrity, skills, and experience to assist and guide AEA in the pursuit of its mission: To advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the state to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.

History
In 1869, Arkansas' fledgling school system operated on insufficient funds and the public support needed to change the situation did not exist. Many citizens thought that the teachers were at fault because they were seen as incompetent. In order to remedy this situation, Thomas Smith, the first state superintendent of public instruction, announced on June 21, 1869, a meeting to be held at Little Rock with the intent of organizing an Arkansas Education Association. Smith was elected the first president at the meeting. Both Smith and his fellow educators realized the amount of effort required to change the public's perception of education so that the future of public education in Arkansas could be secured. We continue that fight today.

Position Overview
The Executive Director is the Association’s chief staff officer who leads a staff in coordination with AEA’s President to ensure implementation of the full scope of the strategic plan, policies, procedures, and programs approved and adopted by the AEA’s Board of Directors. The executive director shall employ, direct, and supervise all AEA staff. In collaboration with the President and Officers, the Executive Director develops and manages an annual organizational budget and is accountable to the Board for the long term financial and fiscal health and sustainability of the Association. The ideal candidate should possess deep knowledge of Arkansas communities and education systems – or demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and engaging with thoughtfulness and respect. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Institutional Leadership - lead with vision, adaptability, creativity, and integrity to execute the policies of The AEA’s board.
• Corporate Management - advise and facilitate the development of The AEA budget, administer and monitor the budget, ensure the fiscal health of the association, oversee compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, evaluate and manage risk, and ensure the proper management of all property owned and leased by the Association as The AEA pursues its mission and vision.
• Public Education Advocacy – champion public education in Arkansas, including building collaborative relationships between The AEA and external stakeholders to shape the highest professional standards for education policy.
• Organizing – foster an organizing culture that grows the association while advancing the interests of Arkansas’s students and educators.
• Staff Relations – as chief of staff, provide leadership for staff commitment to the Association’s mission, vision, and strategic plan, ensure compliance with The AEA’s policies; prioritize and assign staff resources to programs and projects as necessary; coordinate, direct, and evaluate the work of The AEA’s employees while fostering a collegial relationship; build effective relationships with management and the staff union; and successfully support management and staff to ensure the highest quality work on behalf of The AEA’s members.

CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES

• The Association’s forward-looking strategic plan is designed to strengthen public education and enhance the professional lives of its members.
• The Association is building a supportive staff culture rooted in transparency, collaboration, and empowerment. It is committed to developing internal talent through meaningful professional growth opportunities.
• A culture of member engagement and organizing drives the Association’s efforts. By mobilizing members to define and pursue local goals, it reinforces the value of union participation at every level—local, state, and national.
• The Association is actively cultivating bipartisan relationships to champion pro-education legislation and forge strong alliances with organizations that support public education.
• In response to legislative challenges, the Association is amplifying the collective voice of educators to underscore the critical role of public education.
• Organizing is at the heart of the Association’s mission. Members are equipped to strengthen their local associations, improve student outcomes, and advocate for equitable teaching and learning conditions.
• A new generation of educators presents an opportunity to build fresh relationships and infuse the organization with new perspectives and ideas.
• Through a strategic branding campaign, the Association aims to maintain its visibility as the leading authority on education and to reclaim its role as the state’s foremost advocate.
• The Association is committed to racial and social justice as a foundational element of its strategic vision. AEA has an active commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racism across all areas of its work. It recognizes how race, class, and geography intersect in Arkansas schools and communities, and leads with humility to ensure all voices and perspectives are heard. AEA works to dismantle systemic barriers in education, advancing policies and practices that promote fairness and opportunity for all.
• The Association is expanding outreach efforts with educators, unions, businesses, and community coalitions to promote quality public education and equitable opportunities for all.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES, EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Member Focus
A leader who values public education and is focused on member needs. Someone who believes in member engagement, trust, and loyalty, and who is committed to fostering strong relationships among AEA and its members. An experienced leader who has successfully demonstrated the ability to implement high quality programs and services that bring value to members. Demonstrated experience in using data to identify additional ways to offer value to members’ professional practice and careers. Ensures that the AEA stays vibrant and relevant as the education landscape and the demographics of the workforce continue to evolve. An influential leader who understands membership and is able to expand market share, and effectively lead innovative strategies, programs, initiatives, and policies designed to attract and increase new membership. An established leader with the ability to drive member engagement and increase member retention.

Strategic Planning and Execution
Documented experience in leading organization-wide efforts in planning, implementation, process improvements, innovation, financial management, and building high-performance work teams. A record of executive leadership in strategic planning that required significant organizational change, including experience utilizing reliable methods to ensure accountability and timeliness in the execution of strategic goals and objectives. Candidates should demonstrate a track record of strategic decision-making through thoughtful evaluation of risks and benefits.

Leadership
A passionate public education advocate who understands the central role educators play in leading change in their profession. A proven record of senior organizational leadership marked by a passion for education. A visionary leader who has confidently engaged others to identify and work toward common goals. Capable and willing to voice respectful and effective dissent when and where appropriate.

Must possess a growth mindset, a collaborative workstyle, and be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of internal and external partners. Must have the confidence to lead courageously and possess resilience in a rapidly changing environment; a courageous leader who has shown organizational savvy and flexibility in confronting and adapting to challenging and changing political and organizational realities. Must be capable and willing to voice respectful and effective dissent when and where appropriate. A proven ability to grow a membership base. An empathetic leader who has a demonstrated, successful record of attracting and empowering a highly talented staff and is skilled at coaching and mentoring. Has success in building and maintaining effective coalition partnerships.

Interpersonal Effectiveness
An effective communicator who has excelled in building successful relationships. An established record of fostering teamwork and consensus, effectively managing conflict, provoking creative problem-solving, and necessary risk-taking, and is inclusive of diverse individual and cultural perspectives. Has an ability to inspire trust and communicate sound reasoning in an authentic and persuasive manner. Must be a leader who is able to develop networks, leverage diversity, and build internal and external alliances across boundaries to support strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

Desired Experience

• A minimum of 3-5 years of middle or senior management experience
• Experience in public education advocacy, belief in the central role of unions, and unwavering support for organized public education.
• Must be a lifelong learner who supports structures for staff's ongoing professional development.

EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college is required; a Master's Degree is preferred.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE
Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

TO APPLY:
To be considered for this position, please provide the following:

• A current résumé reflecting your qualifications for this position.
• A Letter of Application that specifically addresses how your career accomplishments have prepared you to meet the challenges and opportunities presented in this position.

All materials must be sent electronically to NEA-AEA Search Consultant: Unionsearch.org Patricia Johnson, Managing Partner: patjohnson@unionsearch.org

For confidential inquiries, questions, salary information, or to schedule a call, please email Patricia Johnson.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm.

AEA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE BASED ON RACE, CREED, RELIGION, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENETIC INFORMATION, MARITAL STATUS, or DISABILITY.