Careers at the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Deputy for Programs and Services

NWREL logo

Human Resources Office
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 S.W. Main Street, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97204-3297
(503) 275-9510; Fax: (503) 275-0660
nwrelstaffing@nwrel.org

Deputy for Programs and Services

Position Number 08-20

A Unique Career Opportunity

Have you ever thought about leading the substantive work— research, development, training and technical assistance, and evaluation— of a well-established, pro-ductive, private nonprofit organization? Are you ready for such a challenge?

The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) in Portland, Oregon, is seeking the right person to become the Deputy for Programs and Services. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Deputy for Programs and Services will lead the programmatic efforts of four Centers of Excellence and participate in the overall planning, coordination, and management of the organization. The successful candidate must possess the necessary interpersonal and technical skills and experiences to complement the senior management team. NWREL is looking for an energetic, articulate, visionary educational leader.

NWREL celebrated its 42nd anniversary in June 2008 as the best-known educational research, development, and service agency in the Northwest. While we are located in the Northwest, our work is both regional and national. Oversight of NWREL is provided by a representative 29 member board of directors and an executive cabinet composed of 12 senior managers, including the Deputy of Programs and Services. NWREL's annual $28 million budget is derived from more than 200 grants and contracts with federal, state, and local agencies, foundations, businesses, and industry. The board and executive cabinet set direction for the organization, establish policy and procedures, and monitor the health of the business.

Expectations and Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership and direction to all NWREL's research, development, training and technical assistance, and evaluation activities and services that are carried out in four Centers of Excellence, including the Center for Classroom Teaching and Learning; the Center for School and District Improvement; the Center for School, Family, and Community; and the Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment.
  • Work with center directors to develop their comprehensive plans, strategic initiatives, and cross center collaboration.
  • Oversee quality assurance processes to ensure that all NWREL programmatic work meets high standards of rigor and relevance.
  • Manage and coordinate the Regional Educational Laboratory contract activities that are carried out collaboratively across the four centers.
  • Lead resource development efforts within and across centers to ensure adequate and growing funding to support the programmatic work of NWREL.
  • Contribute to the success of NWREL as an organization by participating in institutional strategic planning and implementation, assisting the CEO in planning NWREL board meetings, serving as liaison to board committees, serving as a member of the executive cabinet, and advising the CEO on board policies and procedures to implement them.
  • Lead a team that plans and conducts meetings of the NWREL management council (composed of all NWREL managers).
  • Provide leadership to motivate, support, develop, and evaluate directors of the four Centers of Excellence.
  • Work side by side with center directors to forge key partnerships with other educational and community organizations to develop future business related to NWREL's mission. Identify and recommend opportunities for new and/or expanded areas of work, including development of resources necessary to launch and sustain such work.
  • Work with center directors to ensure compliance with appropriate federal contract and grant regulations and funding agencies and NWREL policies and procedures. Lead periodic reviews of NWREL quality assurance policies and procedures so that they remain current and appropriate; make recommendations for improvements to the CEO.
  • Manage office staff and budget assigned.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.

Qualifications

  • Doctorate in education or directly related field, or master's with exceptional experience in lieu of doctorate
  • At least 10 years' executive leadership experience in an education system and/or research and development organization with revenues of $10M or more, including management of federal, state, and local contracts
  • Experience in collaborative and action research projects, particularly those involving school district and community constituencies
  • Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with clients through direct, field-based contacts
  • In-depth knowledge of policy; legislative, administrative, and programmatic trends; and issues in education
  • Proven experience and success in resource and proposal development
  • Demonstrated expertise in using management information system reports for reviewing and monitoring cost, progress, and quality of programmatic work
  • Demonstrated competence in problem identification, resolution, and decisive decision making
  • Ability to work well under pressure and meet short timelines
  • Successful experience in working with diverse staff in planning and carrying out work, including working collaboratively with teams
  • Experience with growth-oriented supervision of senior-level professionals
  • Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Experience in using computer systems, the Internet, other technologies, and various software programs
  • Ability to travel independently and frequently by commercial air carrier and automobile

Compensation

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. NWREL has excellent benefits including vacation; generous employer-paid retirement; medical, dental, and life insurance; transportation benefit; and opportunities for ongoing professional development.

Application

Please submit your resume/vitae and cover letter to the NWREL Human Resources Office - nwrelstaffing@nwrel.org.

The position is open until filled. Interviews will be conducted after initial reviews. To ensure that all candidates receive full consideration for this position, each candidate's application file should include the following:

  • A cover letter indicating your interest in this position and how your experience matches the requirements of the position
  • A current resume and any additional relevant information
  • A brief explanation of the moves in your professional career
  • A brief review of your key professional accomplishments in the order of their importance to you

All material received relative to this position will be treated in a confidential manner. We anticipate that initial screening will begin in July, preliminary interviews will be conducted in August, and interviews of finalists will begin in September. We hope to have the new deputy assume responsibilities in January 2009.

Human Resources Office
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
101 S.W. Main Street, Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97204
FAX: (503) 275-0660

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minorities and Women Encouraged to Apply