Head of Education Initiatives

Summary

Join DataKind as the Head of Education Initiatives and lead the expansion of our Student Success platform across higher education institutions nationwide. This senior leadership role blends education expertise with data science innovation to significantly improve student graduation outcomes. You will architect and drive the multi-year education strategy, develop and implement initiatives to generate new fundraising, and serve as the primary executive advisor to leadership on higher education trends. The role also involves spearheading the creation of breakthrough education solutions, leading fundraising efforts, and managing strategic partnerships with educational institutions. You will recruit, manage, and retain a high-performing team, while developing strategies to scale educational programs and expand into new markets. This position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Alignment and enthusiasm for DataKind’s mission and values
• 15+ years of experience in education technology, higher education, or related fields, with comprehensive knowledge of community colleges and four-year institutions
• 5+ years of experience successfully managing collaborative, high-performing teams
• Familiarity with data science and AI products and how machine learning models work at the user level
• Deep knowledge of education-related products and services, including ability to navigate sales/adoption cycles for academic institutions
• Extensive experience building and managing strategic partnerships with educational institutions
• Self-motivated, results driven and persistent in the face of roadblocks and shifts
• Substantial network of contacts in the higher education space, particularly with public education institutions and systems
• Demonstrated expertise in translating complex educational challenges into actionable, technology-driven solutions
• Strong track record of publishing and disseminating research findings across academic, policy, and practitioner audiences
• Experience in designing privacy-protected data integration strategies
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Architect and drive the comprehensive, multi-year education strategy that positions DataKind as a transformative leader in education technology
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives that generate $5-10M in new fundraising
• Serve as the primary executive advisor to leadership around higher education, providing sophisticated insights on global education technology trends, disruptive innovations, and strategic opportunities
• Lead organization-wide digital transformation efforts in education technology
• Develop and maintain board-level presentations and strategic narratives that communicate complex educational innovation ecosystems
• Spearhead the creation of breakthrough education solutions that have potential for systemic impact across multiple educational sectors
• Direct comprehensive product roadmaps with clear ROI and scalability metrics
• Establish enterprise-wide evaluation frameworks that demonstrate tangible social and economic impact
• Lead AI and emerging technology integration strategy, positioning the organization at the forefront of educational innovation
• Oversee multi-million dollar product development budgets and resource allocation
• Lead fundraising efforts to support our education work. Cultivate relationships with donors, corporate partners, and foundations. Work with the finance and business development teams to set revenue targets and create compelling funding proposals
• Identify, cultivate, and manage strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofits, and corporate entities
• Negotiate and structure complex partnership agreements that advance organizational objectives
• Build collaborative relationships with education stakeholders, including school districts, universities, and education agencies
• Lead cross-sector initiatives that address systemic education challenges
• Represent DataKind at highest-level international conferences, policy forums, and strategic summits
• Recruit, manage, and retain high-performing education team members
• Cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented team culture
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members
• Establish clear goals, expectations, and accountability frameworks
• Drive a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and professional development
• Develop strategies to scale educational programs and for market expansion
• Identify opportunities for program expansion into new markets or segments
• Create and implement impact measurement frameworks and dashboards
• Translate complex program successes into compelling, strategic narratives for diverse stakeholders including investors, policymakers, and academic leaders
• Design comprehensive impact measurement frameworks that go beyond traditional metrics to capture transformative educational outcomes

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Education, Business, or related field
• Preference for candidates with knowledge and experience working with community colleges and four-year institutions

Benefits

• Flexibility and time off . Enjoy genuine flexibility that goes beyond adjustable hours. We build in shared time off, company-wide recharge days, bi-weekly meeting-free days, and flexible PTO (with a minimum of 20 vacation days encouraged annually)
• Comprehensive Wellness Support . We care for your total wellbeing with 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees (72% for dependents), a wellness reimbursement program for the activities and purchases that matter to you, and 12 weeks paid parental leave when you need it most
• A Culture of Growth . Every team member receives professional development funding each year, alongside mentorship and advancement opportunities. We invest in your future with a 401(k) plan with 5% employer matching
• Meaningful Connection . Despite being distributed across time zones, we value being able to come together in person for conferences, strategic planning, and at our annual staff retreat