Executive Director

Arizona Education Association

Executive Director

Based in Phoenix, AZ

OPPORTUNITY
AEA is searching for a visionary, steady, and effective leader to assume the role of Executive Director . The ideal candidate will exemplify core values of integrity, honesty, and transparency, and will be adept at fostering strong relationships both internally and externally. In collaboration with the Association's governance and staff, the Executive Director will provide strong organizational and operational leadership, ensure the effective management of the Association, and champion our mission: “Keeping the Promise of Quality Public Education.” We are looking for a candidate with exceptional vision, integrity, adaptability, judgment, and management experience to drive this mission forward.

The successful candidate will demonstrate high emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and creativity, along with a proven track record in strategic leadership and organizational management. This includes setting and achieving objectives, prioritizing initiatives, managing people and resources effectively, making sound decisions, and advancing the long-term interests of the organization.

The Executive Director will be responsible for ensuring that the Association is well managed, financially sound, and positioned to carry out its mission effectively. This requires a leader who brings steadiness, consistency, and follow-through; who can make difficult decisions with honesty and clarity; and who can explain the reasoning behind those decisions while knowing when to seek input from the President, Board, officers, and staff.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY
Established in 1892, before Arizona was a state, the Arizona Education Association was founded by teachers due to a dispute regarding textbooks. Currently, the Arizona Education Association is made up of more than 22,000 educators across Arizona. We are teachers, bus drivers, librarians, school counselors, cafeteria workers, school nurses, and more. We have more than 100 local affiliates in almost every school district in the state and are the state’s second-largest labor union. We are part of the National Education Association, which is 3 million members strong – the largest labor union in the world. Unlike other organizations involved in public education, which may set their priorities based on the preferences of donors or small groups of activists, our union makes decisions democratically. Our legislative priorities are set by our members at our annual 600-person Delegate Assembly, with decisions made by an elected board of directors during the rest of the year.

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Executive Director is the Association’s chief administrative officer and chief operating officer who leads the management team and staff in coordination with the AEA President to ensure implementation of policies, procedures, and programs approved and adopted by the AEA Board of Directors. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and effective operation of the Association, including staff leadership, organizational systems, financial management, and implementation of Board priorities. In collaboration with the President and Officers, the Executive Director develops and manages an annual organizational budget and is accountable to the Board for the long-term financial and fiscal health and sustainability of the Association.

The Executive Director must be a strong manager who can translate organizational priorities into clear plans, establish accountability, make timely decisions, and ensure consistent follow-through. This leader will bring structure and stability to a complex organization, while remaining responsive to members, staff, elected leadership, and changing circumstances.

ORGANIZATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Work in partnership with elected officers and Board to provide visionary leadership that is committed to engaging members to grow power. AEA will require continued focus on internal capacity-building to grow and strengthen the membership by demonstrating the power and value of union membership. AEA has an opportunity to cultivate a new generation of education leaders and increase organizational impact, building on several years of effective engagement of new members and early career professionals.

Experience collaborating with a union workforce. The Executive Director must have knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and the administrative rules that regulate labor organizations. The experience must include managing in a union environment and collective bargaining negotiations.

Leadership that supports diversity and professional growth. The Executive Director must establish strong, trusting, mutually supportive relationships with all stakeholder groups in a complex environment with multiple priorities, and should be an effective communicator. The Executive Director must also be able to provide clear direction, set expectations, address challenges directly, and support staff through periods of change or uncertainty.

Proven Leadership in Team Development, and Coalition Building. The Executive Director must have a record of fostering teamwork and consensus, effectively managing conflict, creative problem-solving, and appropriate risk-taking. The experience should be inclusive of diverse individual and cultural perspectives and demonstrate an ability to inspire trust and communicate sound reasoning in an authentic and persuasive manner. The Executive Director should be comfortable making decisions when consensus is not possible, communicating the rationale for those decisions, and taking responsibility for the results. AEA requires a leader who is able to develop networks, leverage diversity and build internal and external alliances to support strategic relationships and achieve common goals.

A champion for public education. The position requires a belief in and a strong advocacy for educators owning and directing their profession, and a commitment to promoting diversity, equal opportunity and social justice.

Encourage political action and strengthen external relationships to influence pro-public education policies that align with AEA’s mission, vision and core values. The Executive Director must directly and indirectly maintain effective relationships and partnerships with other educational, labor and business organizations, and with the governor, state legislature, and other government officials and their staffs.

Respect and respond to the demands of a member-directed and democratic environment. While working under the direction of the Board, the Executive Director exercises sound judgment and accepts the responsibility to act decisively when appropriate and engage staff in moving the organization forward. The Executive Director must also understand when an issue requires consultation with elected leadership and when a decision falls within the Executive Director's responsibility to make and implement.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES, EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Member Focus
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 AEA 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 Execution
Documented experience in leading organization-wide efforts in planning, implementation, process improvements, innovation, financial management, organizational operations, and building high-performance work teams. A record of executive leadership in strategic planning that required significant organizational change, including experience utilizing reliable methods to ensure accountability and timeliness in the execution of strategic goals and objectives. An individual who possesses the ability to juggle multiple projects with clear priorities and articulate the connections between the big picture and specific action plans and timetables.

Strong financial and operational management experience is essential. The Executive Director must be able to understand and manage organizational budgets, assess financial tradeoffs, monitor financial performance, and work with staff and the Board to maintain the Association's long-term financial health and sustainability.

Leadership
A public education advocate who understands the central role educators play in leading change in their profession. Proven record of organizational leadership marked by a passion for education. A visionary leader who has confidently engaged others to identify and work toward common goals. Capable and willing to voice respectful and effective dissent when and where appropriate.

Evidence of success in achieving desired outcomes when leading organizational innovation and change. A nimble leader who is capable of learning while leading. Exercise political savvy and flexibility in adapting to changing political/organizational realities. At the same time, the Executive Director should bring steadiness and consistency to the organization, particularly during periods of uncertainty or change.

A demonstrated ability to manage effectively in a unionized environment. An organizer with a solid grasp of the appropriate role that staff play in building member power. Has a demonstrated, successful record of attracting and motivating highly talented staff and is highly skilled at coaching and mentoring others. A strong people manager who sets clear expectations, follows through, addresses performance issues when necessary, and builds a culture of trust, accountability, and professional growth. Proven success in building and/or maintaining coalition partners.

Motivation & Courage
Demonstrate exceptional motivation and courage in their leadership approach. They will be driven to inspire and energize teams, embracing challenges with resilience and determination. This leader will possess the judgment and confidence to make difficult decisions, take appropriate risks, and confront difficult issues directly, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the organization's mission.

The Executive Director should lead with both humility and confidence: willing to listen and learn, open to perspectives that differ from their own, and comfortable taking responsibility for decisions when leadership is required. They should remain calm under pressure and bring a steady, thoughtful presence to challenging situations.

Desired Experience

• A minimum of 3-5 years of middle or senior management experience in positions of increasing responsibility in education, labor/union advocacy, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or other related fields.
• Experience in public education advocacy, belief in the central role of unions, and unwavering support for organized public education.
• Significant experience managing staff, budgets, and organizational operations, with demonstrated responsibility for financial planning and stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience making consequential organizational decisions, communicating the reasoning behind those decisions, and taking responsibility for their outcomes.
• Must be a lifelong learner who supports structures for staff ongoing professional development.

About the Search Process
We are particularly interested in candidates who have taken the time to understand the Association and can speak thoughtfully about how their experience and leadership approach would support AEA at this point in its history.

EDUCATION
Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position is full time, in-person, based in the Phoenix, Arizona office.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE
Salary range is $150,000 – $160,000, annually, and is negotiable.

For inquiries regarding the compensation package, please reach out to Linda Nguyen, [email protected]

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

• A current résumé 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.

To apply, please follow instructions at:

For all questions regarding this search, including confidential inquiries, please contact: Linda Nguyen, [email protected]

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 14, 2026

Arizona Education Association 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.

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