Announcement of opening for the position of

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CEA

Colorado Education Association

The Colorado Education Association (CEA) seeks an accomplished, visionary, and operationally strong executive to serve as its next Executive Director. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most respected public education organizations and partner with elected leadership, professional staff, local affiliates, and members to advance public education while strengthening the Association’s long-term impact.

As the Association’s chief executive officer, the Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for a complex, mission-driven organization. Working closely with the President and Board of Directors, the Executive Director translates strategic priorities into measurable results while ensuring the Association remains financially sound, operationally effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of its members.

CEA seeks a leader who combines strategic vision with disciplined execution, sound judgment, and authentic leadership. This is an opportunity to build upon CEA’s proud history while helping shape its future.

Background

The Colorado Education Association is Colorado’s largest public education employees’ union, representing nearly 40,000 educators and education support professionals across the state. Affiliated with the three-million-member National Education Association, CEA has long been viewed as the authoritative voice for public education in Colorado. The Association is a steadfast advocate for educators, students, and strong public schools.

CEA’s membership reflects the full spectrum of the education profession, including PreK-12 teachers, education support professionals, higher education faculty, aspiring educators, and retired education professionals. This broad and diverse membership strengthens the Association’s ability to advocate for excellence in public education while ensuring the voices of educators remain central to shaping educational policy and practice throughout Colorado.

Throughout its history, CEA has championed public education through advocacy, organizing, professional development, legal support, and member engagement, serving as a trusted resource and influential voice for educators across Colorado.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with the President and elected leadership, the Executive Director serves as the Association’s chief executive officer and provides leadership for a professional staff of more than sixty employees. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the Board’s strategic direction while ensuring effective management of the Association’s operations, financial resources, talent, and organizational priorities.

The Executive Director combines strategic leadership with disciplined execution, translating organizational priorities into measurable outcomes while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As the Association’s chief executive, the Executive Director also serves as a trusted representative of CEA, strengthening relationships with members, local affiliates, labor organizations, policymakers, and community partners in support of the Association’s mission.

The Opportunity

This role calls for an executive leader who combines strategic vision with operational expertise with the ability to transform ideas into action, align people and resources around shared priorities, and develop the organizational capacity necessary to achieve long-term success. Leadership here extends beyond day-to-day operations: it is about building trust, developing people, exercising sound judgment, and creating an environment where individuals and teams perform at their highest level.

Success in this role requires balancing long-term strategy with disciplined execution while maintaining a steadfast commitment to financial stewardship, organizational effectiveness, and member value. CEA seeks a leader who embraces complexity with confidence and inspired by the opportunity to make a lasting difference for educators, students, and public education throughout Colorado.

Organizational Opportunities

CEA’s next Executive Director will build upon a strong organizational foundation while helping shape the Association’s future by advancing the following priorities.

Member Focus and Organizational Relevance

Build upon CEA’s proud history of advocacy by ensuring the Association continues to deliver meaningful value to its members. Support initiatives that strengthen engagement, cultivate future leaders, reinforce the value of membership, and position CEA as the leading voice for public education throughout Colorado.

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 between CEA 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 using data to identify additional ways to offer value to members’ professional practice and careers.  An influential leader who understands membership and is able to expand market share, has effectively led innovative strategies, programs, initiatives, and policies designed to attract and increase new membership.  Proven ability to create collaborative relationships and partnerships with local, county and state governments, as well as community groups and organizations.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Vision

Lead organization-wide efforts in strategic planning, implementation, and process improvement, translating Board priorities into measurable organizational outcomes. Bring a record of executive leadership in strategic planning that has driven significant organizational change, using reliable methods to ensure accountability and timeliness in the execution of strategic goals and objectives. Effectively manage multiple priorities and initiatives, articulating the connection between the big picture and specific action plans and timetables, while aligning people, resources, and initiatives to achieve long-term goals and remain responsive to the evolving needs of Colorado’s educators.

Business Knowledge and Fiscal Stewardship

CEA’s next Executive Director must bring deep business acumen and operational discipline to strengthen the Association’s organizational effectiveness, building an agile, financially strong organization that delivers exceptional service while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. This financial discipline is equally essential to the Association’s fiscal health: this leader will bring strong financial acumen to budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls, stewarding CEA’s resources with the transparency and rigor needed to strengthen its fiscal foundation for the future. Equally important is developing the organization’s people, building a high-performing team where talented professionals be empowered to contribute, collaborate, and grow, and where a culture of professional excellence and shared accountability ensures CEA has the leadership capacity for long-term success.

Interpersonal and Communication

CEA’s next Executive Director must be a leader who brings people to the table and builds genuine alignment across a wide range of perspectives and constituencies, including rural and urban members, governance and staff, local and state affiliates, and differing political viewpoints within the membership. This is a leader who unifies through strong execution, aligning people, structures, and communication around a shared direction, ensuring the right people are in the right spaces to collaborate and that diverse perspectives are incorporated into decision-making. That same skill extends outward: guiding the Association through an increasingly dynamic educational, legislative, and political landscape with sound judgment, thoughtful leadership, and effective communication, while strengthening relationships with policymakers, labor partners, and community stakeholders to position CEA to anticipate change and respond strategically to emerging issues.

Desired Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of senior management experience in positions of responsibility in education, labor/union advocacy, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or other related fields.
• A 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 required. Masters preferred.

Compensation & Benefits Package

This is an exempt, confidential position with a salary range of $170,000 to $190,000 based upon prior experience and qualifications.  CEA provides a fringe benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid sick, personal, and vacation leave.

Application Process

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

·       A current resume 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.

Please send all materials electronically to NEA-Colorado Search Consultant: Movement Talent

Linda Nguyen, linda@movementtalent.org

For confidential inquiries, questions, or to schedule a call, please email Linda Nguyen.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:00 pm (EST.)

NEA-COLORADO 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.

Executive Director
Based in Jefferson County, CO

Position: JESPA Executive Director
Location: Jefferson County, Colorado
Reports to: JESPA Executive Board
Employment Type: Full-time

About Us
The Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association Office is located in Golden, Colorado. This local option UniServ unit represents the 4,000 Education Support Professionals working for Jefferson County Public Schools and is affiliated with the Colorado Education Association and National Education Association The bargaining unit consists of Education Support Professionals working in many job titles such as secretaries, paraeducators, custodians, bus drivers and assistants, food service workers, techs, tutors, interpreters, preschool teachers, and other support staff.

Position Overview
The Executive Director plays a pivotal role in driving JESPA’s labor advocacy, collective bargaining efforts, strategic planning, and organizing campaigns. This position is instrumental in advancing the rights and interests of our members. The Executive Director must excel in orchestrating multifaceted campaigns, managing complex negotiation strategies, and building strong relationships with diverse partners. This role requires a steadfast commitment to championing the mission of the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Labor Advocacy & Collective Bargaining
  • Serve as JESPA’s lead negotiator and guide leadership development in bargaining
  • Partner with the negotiations committee to set strategy, develop proposals, and manage the full bargaining process
  • Oversee timelines, documentation, and proposal tracking; ensure accuracy of agreements and final CBA
• Grievance & Member Representation
  • Direct the grievance process, including member representation and leadership training
  • Establish systems to track, investigate, and resolve grievances effectively
  • Lead strategy and presentation for hearings and arbitrations in coordination with legal partners
• Organizational Leadership & Strategy
  • Execute JESPA’s Strategic Plan and assess organizational effectiveness
  • Recruit, mentor, and support leaders and committees to strengthen member engagement
  • Provide ongoing guidance and training to association leadership
• Executive Board Partnership & Governance
  • Partner with the President and Executive Board on strategy, priorities, and governance
  • Support effective board operations, including agendas, reporting, and structural improvements
  • Attend and contribute to all Executive Board meetings
• Operations, Staff & Financial Management
  • Oversee daily operations and supervise staff to ensure strategic alignment and goal attainment
  • Manage financial activities in partnership with the Treasurer and advisors, including budgeting and compliance
  • Ensure completion of financial reporting, tax filings, and office management
• District & External Relations
  • Represent JESPA with district leadership and key stakeholders
  • Collaborate with Employee Relations and HR to resolve member issues
  • Maintain strong, productive external relationships
• Partnerships & Communications
  • Strengthen partnerships with CEA, NEA, and affiliated organizations
  • Lead communications, public relations, and member outreach strategies
  • Drive membership growth and engagement through effective messaging and digital platforms
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Board

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Bilingual or working proficiency in Spanish
• Demonstrated training, coursework, or extensive experience in labor and community organizing, communications, business management, human relations, adult learning facilitation, and related fields.
• 5 or more years of experience in leading within the labor movement, with a strong understanding of labor and membership-based organizations and a diverse employee workforce

Key Competencies

• Proficiency in managing complex data in relational database operations, encompassing data querying, update queries, and database maintenance across various platforms to manage member data and communications, and for use to analyze data for costing proposals at the bargaining table.
• Exceptional skills in communication, collaborative decision-making, conflict resolution, training/presentation, relationship building, team building, public relations, project planning, and organization.
• Proficiency in managing Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines while maintaining confidentiality.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $80,000 – $100,000
• Benefit allocation of $650/month to offset cost of benefit coverage
• Holidays, personal leave, sick leave and vacation.

This dynamic and multifaceted position requires a unique skill set, encompassing strategic planning, financial management, labor advocacy, collective bargaining, organizing, and leadership. The Executive Director is instrumental in fulfilling JESPA’s mission and providing invaluable support to our diverse membership.

How to Apply
To apply, please send your cover letter, résumé and reference to Zander Kaschub, JESPA President, at zkaschub@coloradoea.org.