"President"

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) seeks to improve the quality of life and state economies of their 16 member states by working to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through post-secondary and workforce. As one of four regional education compacts nationally, SREB conducts research, publishes reports, and recommends actions on current and emerging issues in education relevant to their member states. The organization works side-by-side with policymakers such as state legislators and education agency officials as they implement policies to help students achieve more, and its experts work directly with schools, colleges, and universities to improve capacity, teaching, learning, counseling, and school leadership.

SREB helps states focus on what works in both policy and practice and brings states together to forge consensus and work together on initiatives that would not be possible alone. Through SREB's leadership:

• Policymakers make informed decisions by providing independent, accurate data and recommendations;
• Educators strengthen student learning with professional development, coaching, proven practices, and curricula; and
• Educators share scarce resources and accomplish more together than they could alone.

Current priority areas for SREB include longitudinal literacy; career pathways; educator workforce; post-secondary student success; and AI in education. The SREB Commission on Career Pathways and Credentials is helping states identify high-demand careers and create education pathways for them. The SREB Commission on AI in Education has brought together educators, legislators, and business leaders to chart a course for using AI in classrooms and preparing people for a workforce transformed by it.

In addition, SREB's School Improvement team delivered 4,600 days of service to 400 schools, directly supporting 5,320 teachers and impacting over 265,000 students during the 2024-2025 school year. To improve K-12 teaching and combat teacher shortages, SREB is redoubling its efforts around induction support for new teachers, launching a new framework, and policy research and program review as well as expanding its existing programs.

SREB is a nonpartisan, nonprofit interstate compact comprised of 16 member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. It is the nation's first regional interstate compact for education, created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislators who recognized the link between education and economic vitality. SREB's work is funded by appropriation from its member states, as well as contracts and grants from foundations and from local, state, and federal agencies.

To learn more about SREB, please visit www.sreb.org.

The President Opportunity

The next President of SREB will be a visionary, nonpartisan leader with the strategic insight and public credibility to lead a complex multi-state organization working across all levels of the education system. The President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of SREB, leading a diverse team of experts and professionals dedicated to improving education in the region. Reporting to the SREB Board and Executive Committee, the President is responsible for advancing SREB's strategic mission and upholding a culture of excellence.

The ideal candidate will possess a blend of policy expertise, organizational leadership, and a deep understanding of the Southern education and political landscape. They must be committed to improving educational outcomes across the continuum – from early learning to postsecondary education and workforce alignment – through data-driven policy, collaboration, and innovation. The next President will be a collaborative leader, a skillful communicator, and a trusted advisor to governors, legislators, state education chiefs, and institutional leaders. The role demands a nonpartisan approach, with the ability to build and maintain strategic relationships as well as a deep understanding of education policy and practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal executive, setting the strategic direction for the organization in alignment with the SREB Board and Executive Committee's priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of SREB's programs, services, and strategic goals across PK-12 and postsecondary sectors.
• Engage actively with policymakers, including governors, legislators, agency heads, and education stakeholders, maintaining a visible presence and providing trusted nonpartisan leadership.
• Ensure that all programs and services provide demonstrable value to member states.
• Serve as the organization's chief spokesperson to national, regional, and state audiences.
• Oversee all fiscal activities, including budgeting, grant acquisition, financial stewardship, and resource allocation.
• Manage and support a senior leadership team responsible for core functional areas such as policy analysis, school improvement, postsecondary initiatives, research, communications, and technology.
• Oversee all SREB departments, with responsibility for ensuring successful practices related to organizational structure, talent development, performance management, hiring, and team effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, innovation, and cross-office collaboration.
• Represent SREB with integrity, neutrality, and distinction in all interactions with the public and private sectors.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Visionary & Strategic Leader

The President will demonstrate the ability to articulate and implement a clear and evidence-based vision for educational progress across PK-12 and postsecondary education. They will bring experience developing and executing multi-year strategic plans with measurable impact and will be forward-thinking and adept in navigating emerging challenges, such as the potential for states to assume a greater role in ensuring high-quality education for all, educator workforce needs, AI in education, and an evolving funding landscape.

Skilled Policy Advisor and Advocate

The President will possess a deep understanding of state and federal education policy, including legislative and budget processes. They will be comfortable advising and influencing governors, legislators, and education commissioners, maintaining a nonpartisan posture while building understanding of key issues in education and identifying evolving opportunities as states take greater leadership on education.

Relationship Builder and Communicator

The President will be dedicated to convening and facilitating groups and individuals with very different backgrounds and perspectives to learn about and discuss significant education issues. They will be an exceptional communicator who builds trusting relationships and demonstrates political savvy and diplomacy when interacting with a broad range of stakeholders, including member state leaders, educators, business partners, and philanthropic organizations.

Experienced Executive and Organizational Leader

The President will demonstrate proven success in managing complex, mission-driven organizations or agencies, ideally with experience leading organizations at the regional, state, or national level. They will be experienced in overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, managing a senior leadership team, and fostering cross-functional collaboration, leading with a commitment to staff development and building a strong internal culture of purpose and performance.

Resourceful and Entrepreneurial

The President will demonstrate a track record of success in fundraising and securing external support through grants, contracts, and partnerships. They will be able to clearly communicate return on investment to funders and member states, with a data-driven approach, and they will bring an innovative approach to developing new programs, partnerships, and research aligned with SREB's mission.

Purpose-Driven Educational Expert

The President will possess a deep understanding of PK-20 education issues, especially as they relate to college and career readiness, postsecondary attainment, research, and workforce preparation. They will be a credible leader among educators, researchers, and policy experts.

Professional Qualifications

Additionally, strong candidates will hold a terminal degree (doctorate preferred) in education, public policy, or a related field. They will come to this role with a minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in education or policy, with at least 5 years of experience in an executive role. Experience in the Southern U.S. region and understanding of its unique educational, political, and economic contexts is highly desirable.

Location and Travel: This role is based in SREB's office in Atlanta and will require frequent travel on a regional and national basis. Compensation and Benefits: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary for this role is expected to be $275,000 with a generous benefits package.