Director of Education

About the Organization

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is a convener, incubator, and investor committed to accelerating opportunity and prosperity for the AAPI community. TAAF supports the ecosystem of advocates and organizations committed to AAPI causes so that together we can more effectively take action against hate and violence, and build the infrastructure needed to improve AAPI advocacy, power, and representation across American society. We were founded to solve for the longstanding lack of investment and resources provided to the AAPI community — particularly as anti-AAPI hate and violence persist at alarming rates. We strive to be a catalyzing force for creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for the 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the United States. Learn more at taaf.org. 

About the Role

The Director of Education will develop and execute the team’s strategy to accelerate the teaching of AAPI studies as part of inclusive history in K-12 and higher education in all 50 states.  The ideal candidate will have experience in developing and executing grantmaking and program strategies aligned to strategic outcomes.  Ideally, they will have domain expertise in K-12 public education/higher education as well as in AAPI communities and issues. Strategy, planning, and management experience is essential, along with working with engaged boards and advisory boards.  

They will believe in working strategically with transparency and accountability, embrace a culture of learning, work respectfully with compassion, kindness and gratitude, and seek to be inclusive and collaborative in decision making.  Most importantly, the candidate will seek to recognize and understand the challenges and opportunities in serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander community through TAAF’s pillars of change.  

The Director of Education will have one direct report at the Program Officer level, shared with the Education pillar.     

Responsibilities

• Refine, implement, and manage TAAF’s Education strategy, which drives toward the following 5-year priority outcomes:
  • Advocacy efforts to adopt the teaching of AAPI/inclusive history exists in all 50 states.
  • Established network of professional development providers for teaching AAPI/inclusive history with high-quality, accessible curriculum
  • Significant expansion of AAPI studies in higher education
• Develop and manage the team’s plan that specifically addresses how the organization can effectuate its mission through education
• Work at the national level on strategy and the overall landscape while supporting the Program Officer’s day-to-day management of existing and prospective partners and projects that expand the education of AAPI history and representation in curricula.
• Manage the grantmaking process with the Program Officer  to support the Education portfolio’s nonprofit partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong national partnerships across the education ecosystem and ensure TAAF’s voice in conversations that impact TAAF’s mission and values. 
• Implement and strategically develop initiatives, training, programs and events that support our partners and provide a deeper connection to organizational vision and core values. 
• Collaborate with our Data and Research Director on measurement, learning and evaluation for the Education portfolio.  Identity feedback channels and evaluative activities to monitor and continually assess program impact.  Analyze that data to identify course changes and adaptations, as well as opportunities, and propose initiatives, programs and/or events.   
• Play a key leadership role on the Program team.  Work in close collaboration with the Chief Program Officer, other Program Team Directors, and across the entire organization.

Job Requirements

Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• Graduate degree in a related field of study and/or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• 10 years + of experience in strategy and program development and implementation that brings about social change, experience working in philanthropy (and grantmaking) a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interface effectively with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Strong relationships with individuals and organizations in the education ecosystem at K-12 and higher education levels.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in creating, executing, and reporting on complex organizational goals and strategic plans, problem-solving and implementing new programs and processes.
• Excellent judgment and attention to detail with project management, problem-solving and analysis skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed, and rapidly changing environment.  
• Ability to quickly establish credibility and rapport.
• Direct personnel supervision experience, including professional staff.

Working Hours

• Requires occasional weekend, off-hours, or evening work.

Compensation and Benefits

• TAAF provides competitive compensation and benefits including health insurance (including dental and vision) and a 401k retirement plan to all employees.
• Anticipated salary for this role is $165,000.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TAAF is deeply committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and equitable place to work. We encourage people of all backgrounds, experience, and perspectives to apply.