Executive Director, Collaborative for Educational Services

The Board of Directors of the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES), an educational service agency based in Northampton, Massachusetts, seeks a dynamic and experienced Executive Director.

The Executive Director of CES is the chief executive and is charged by state statutes, the Collaborative Agreement, and the Board of Directors with carrying out specific responsibilities, mainly in managing daily operations and services; recommending policies to the Board; managing internal and external relations; representing CES to other agencies, officials, and the public; and other duties. The Executive Director reports to the Board, and the Board oversees and evaluates the Executive Director. CES is a public, nonprofit Massachusetts educational collaborative (educational service agency) organized pursuant to the authority of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) under M.G.L. Ch. 40, 4E, and consistent with regulations described in 603 CMR 50.00. We are a 501(c)(3)organization, with over 480 full and part time employees located across the Commonwealth, and an annual budget of approximately $39 million. For detailed information about CES, visit the Executive Director Search page of our web-site. Under the leadership of the current Executive Director, William (Bill) Diehl, the agency has expanded programs, services, and grants.

The CES community has worked with intention and commitment to develop a culture of compassion and care, establish and embrace principles of social justice and equity as foundational to our agency, and developed a set of values for both our internal and external work. Under his leadership and with the support of a dedicated staff and Board of Directors, we've added new districts to our membership, developed a formal Collaborative Agreement with members as required by new legislation, and deepened our collaborations with schools, districts, legislators, and community and state partners including DESE, DYS, DMH, EEC, and others. As a result, the agency has broadened and deepened its commitment to positive outcomes for some of the state’s most vulnerable children and youth. CES strives to be innovative, and we’ve made tremendous progress, guided by our Five Year Strategic Plan; the reorganization of structures and workflows, and the adoption of more efficient and effective information technologies. Through Mr. Diehl’s commitment to collaboration and servant leadership, CES has built a reputation across the state as a promoter of high quality education for all, and an advocate for social justice and equity (SJE).

The new Executive Director will provide leadership in the following ways and areas identified by key stakeholders, Board members, district members and CES staff:

• Taking an inclusive leadership approach
• Cultivating collaborations and partnerships
• Serving as a convener for area superintendents and other leaders to share best-practices and problem-solve common issues
• Keeping abreast of key developments in education and sharing with staff and districts
• Advocating for state and federal funding
• Ensuring an inclusive process to address challenges and identify effective models for expanding organizational capacity and expertise
• Prioritizing SJE work internally and externally to address educational equity and access
• Developing strategic relationships with governmental officials, community groups
• Leading organizational change to facilitate efficiency and effectiveness