About CASEL » Job Opportunities

Executive Director

CASEL is working hard to build the field of SEL, and as part of that we are moving in new directions! While our research activities will remain in our UIC-based operation, we have created a new not-for-profit component of CASEL to help us expand our SEL training, technical assistance, and other professional services for districts, states and countries, and to address communications and fund-raising activities. CASEL is looking for an outstanding Executive Director for this new CASEL not-for-profit entity, and are now accepting applications for the position.

Information about the position responsibilities and qualifications, and application process are found below. For a printable version that also includes some background information on our organization, click here.

Please submit your application before May 15, 2008 for fullest consideration.

Additional recommended background materials on SEL and our organization for applicants:

• CASEL 10-year report
• CASEL strategic plan
• CASEL collaborator network
• CASEL Forum report
• CASEL brief: What is SEL & What is CASEL
• CASEL brief: Youth and schools today
• No new wars!
• No emotion left behind
• Social emotional learning and successful school performance
• School-based prevention: Promoting positive social development through SEL

Position Summary

The Executive Director will be a senior level, inspirational, and visionary collaborator who will lead CASEL in actualizing its mission through further developing a comprehensive, income-generating Training and Technical Assistance Unit to guide districts, states and countries to systematically and broadly implement and sustain evidence-based SEL programming; through further developing CASEL’s marketing and communications vehicles which encourage and facilitate all 50 states to implement and sustain school-based SEL programming; and through undertaking a policy initiative with key agency personnel and policymakers in all 50 states to identify and promulgate state education policies that positively influence SEL implementation. In addition, the Executive Director will work with CASEL’s President to establish the cross-field and cross-discipline collaborations necessary to strengthen and grow the field of SEL, clarifying the roles and strategic priorities for working with external partners (individuals, groups, or organizations) to carry out SEL training, policy, communications, and field-building initiatives.

The Executive Director for CASEL will be responsible for operationalizing and overseeing this newly-established 501(c)(3) organization, and will lead the organization’s fundraising effort in conjunction with CASEL's Board, President, and key development staff. The Executive Director will be responsible for implementing and further developing CASEL's strategic plan, and will be responsible for hiring, supervising and evaluating staff, either directly or by delegation. The Executive Director will serve as a senior spokesperson for CASEL and will work strategically with CASEL's collaborating partners to advance the science and practice of social and emotional learning.

Reports to:  President of CASEL and CASEL’s Board of Directors

Principal Duties and Areas of Responsibility

Leadership

• Help to grow and develop the field of SEL through strategic visioning and work with external groups and individuals to create effective collaborative relationships to implement CASEL’s mission.
• Collaborate with the President and the Board to develop, promote, and accomplish CASEL’s operational and programmatic vision and mission. Responsible for further developing and implementing CASEL’s strategic plan.
• Serve as a spokesperson for CASEL and SEL.

 Organization and Management

• Start up and develop a new nonprofit organization with high-functioning teams and a positive, synergistic culture.
• Oversee monies allocated to CASEL by its Board of Directors, and create the annual budget of $2M+ in conjunction with CASEL's President and the Board.
• Refine the policies, structures, and procedures that will allow CASEL to employ staff and to develop as a non-profit organization (e.g., further establish financial planning and reporting procedures, personnel policies, performance-appraisal systems, hiring and contracting practices, salary scales).
• Oversee workflow and develop systems to implement an ambitious existing strategic plan, including establishing and (directly or indirectly) overseeing CASEL's Training and Technical Assistance Unit and its Development, Communications, and Finance/Operations Departments, hiring staff for these functions and insuring that the goals of these areas are met.     

Program Development and Implementation

• Lead the organization in expanding evidence-based SEL practice in schools, districts, states, and countries by establishing initiatives in SEL training and technical assistance, policy formation, and communications.
• Ensure that all CASEL programming complies with local, state, and federal laws and regulations and that staff embodies CASEL's core beliefs in all activities.

Resource Development

• Create a development plan for CASEL, oversee the work of CASEL's Development Department, and participate actively in fundraising (including planning, grant writing, and cultivation of donors).
• Insure the creation of substantial income streams through product development and CASEL's delivery of training and technical assistance.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred
• Proven competence and track record of success in developing and managing not-for-profit organizations (minimum of ten years of progressively responsible management experience, including program development, organization design, team building, leading and managing staff, strategic planning)
• The experience and vision to build and shape a new global field of expertise in social and emotional development
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to serve as an  articulate spokesperson for CASEL and for the field of SEL
• Ability to create high-functioning teams, and to create a positive, synergistic organizational culture
• Capacity to work collaboratively and to create collaborative partnerships
• Knowledge of education and/or SEL
• Social and emotional competence

Salary

Commensurate with experience

Applications

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume with three (3) current references we can contact, your salary history and requirements, and how you learned about the position to:

Search Committee Chair
c/o CASEL
910 W. Van Buren St. #168
Chicago, IL. 60607

You may also submit this information electronically to search@casel.org. Questions may be submitted to this same email address.

CASEL is an equal opportunity employer.