Executive Director at Collaborative for Educational Services

CES seeks a visionary, values-driven Executive Director to provide strategic oversight and transformational leadership for our entire organization. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this role ensures fiscal stability, program excellence, and equity-driven innovation across all initiatives.

The Executive Director is a visible, engaged leader who will position CES as an innovative nonprofit and a critical state-contract provider, actively generating revenue and thought leadership statewide.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Educational Innovation and Equity

• Strategic and Values Aligned Leadership

• Relational Leadership & Communication

• Administration and Fiscal Management

What We're Looking For

We seek a leader with highly developed personal and professional integrity and a proven record of collaboration and managing complex operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of ten years of successful administrative experience in a senior leadership position.

• Strong background in nonprofit leadership, adaptive leadership, fiscal sustainability, and equity practice.

• Proven fiscal management experience with diverse funding sources (grants, contracts, fee-for-service).

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a mission-focused strategic vision.

• Superintendent or DESE Administrator licensure, or the ability to procure such licensure within the first 12 months of employment.

• Strong, adaptive communication skills with an ability to build trust and foster consensus among diverse groups.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with or within a collaborative or educational service agency.

• An advanced degree in education, public administration or a related field. 

Timeline

• Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

• Round 1 Interviews: January 7-8, 2026

• Selection Announcement: January or February, 2026

Application Materials Required

1. Letter of Intent

2. Current Resume

3. One-page summary on the importance of Educational Collaboratives in Massachusetts

4. Copy of all related certifications and college transcripts

5. Five professional references

Complete the online application here and submit all materials electronically by November 30, 2025 to:  John Bass, AESA Search Consultant, [email protected] 

Terms of Employment

• Location: In-person, full-time position based in Northampton, MA.

• Travel: Requires regular travel across the Commonwealth, with particular emphasis on Hampshire and Franklin Counties.

• Schedule: Requires regular attendance at early morning, evening, and weekend community and public events.

• Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits package, subject to a multi-year contract.

Who We Are

The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) is a dynamic, public, nonprofit educational service agency with a mission to develop and foster lifelong learning and well-being for all the communities we serve. Governed by 37 member school districts in Hampshire and Franklin Counties, we work across the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts to support historically marginalized and oppressed groups, improve student outcomes, and drive systemic educational change.

With an annual budget of $40 million and a dedicated team of over 600 staff members, CES provides a wide range of services, including:

• Direct support for at-risk children and youth (including major state contracts like DYS and SEIS).

• Professional development, coaching, and technical assistance for K-12 educators.

• Consulting in areas such as public health, youth mental health, and research.

Our Vision: We envision a society with equitable communities and a learning system that centers the histories and cultural identities of Black, Indigenous, People of color, and other marginalized groups, supporting all young people to discover their gifts and move boldly towards their futures.

CES is an equal opportunity employer and is particularly interested in candidates from a diverse range of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. We are especially interested in candidates whose backgrounds are well-suited to understanding and addressing the needs of the diverse student population we serve.