Executive Director SURN

Job Requisition:

JR101921 Executive Director SURN (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Executive Director SURN

Department:

CC00182 WM001 | SOE | Education Operations

Job Family:

Staff - Outreach

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

School Of Education

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

Established in 1994 to create partnerships between William & Mary and Virginia School divisions that strengthen teaching, leading, and learning, the School-University Resource Network (SURN) serves as an essential outreach center in the School of Education. SURN partners with schools, school divisions and the university to bring quality professional learning to teachers and leaders. SURN supports schools, school divisions, and the university through partnerships and programming that bridge professional preparation and in-service learning, recognizing that academic excellence depends upon sustained collaboration across the educator development continuum. The School of Education collective impact priorities of delivering programs that serve the Commonwealth and profession, providing opportunities for sustained, immersive experiences, and building strong and just institutions underpin the work of SURN. The Executive Director leads with a strong understanding of the vision, mission, and values of the School of Education, sets priorities for the center, advocates for students, teachers, and leaders, and engages in continuous improvement.
The Executive Director leads the collaborative work of center staff with faculty and school division partners in studying, developing, designing, implementing, and evaluating resources and programs. Reporting to and working with the Dean, the Executive Director establishes priorities of the center that elevate the School of Education’s mission to be a model of excellence for solving complex educational problems through innovative and participatory teaching, scholarship, and community engagement.
The Executive Director must have the capacity to build relationships at the local, state, and national levels, to leverage research and development opportunities, to develop and direct staff, and to manage multiple concurrent funding streams and programming activities to ensure the needs of teachers and leaders are met with fidelity. The Executive Director understands the nature of education in Virginia and can balance competing needs, interests, and initiatives through skilled leadership and administrative acumen.

Job Description:

We will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in education or a closely related field.

• Significant experience in educational leadership.

• Advanced understanding of education, instruction, and learning.

• Experience in designing, managing, and delivering professional learning.

• Expertise in assessing needs, setting direction, and building consensus.

• Extensive familiarity with K-12 schools in Virginia.

• Excellent oral/written communication.

• Proficiency in technology for both productivity and instruction.

• Successful grant writing history.

• Project management skills.

• Understanding of budget development & management.

• Research skills.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated innovation.

• Experience as a supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in education or closely related field.

• Several years’ experience as a K-12 teacher and/or administrator.

• Higher education experience as an instructor or administrator.

• Record of six-figure grant award.

• Experience serving as a grant principal investigator.

• Experience directing a consortium or school-university partnership.

• Demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen.

• Record of scholarship as an author and/or presenter.

Conditions of Employment:

• Occasional weekend work and evening work may be required to support program functions.

• This is a restrictive position dependent on external funding sources.

Essential Designation: No

Salary range: $125,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

For full consideration, please submit your CV, cover letter, and a minimum of three references with contact information by the priority review date of August 5, 2026.

Job Duties:
40% - Strategic Leadership and Program Management:

• Provide proactive, insightful leadership that is responsive to the realities of the K-12 and university educational landscape.

• Lead strategic planning, prioritize the unit’s activities, and work collaboratively with the SURN Advisory Board and other stakeholders to ensure activities align with, support, and enhance SURN’s mission and goals.

• Facilitate the innovation, development, and creation of leadership and professional learning projects and events.

• Serve as a School of Education resource with leadership and instructional expertise for faculty, staff, and students.

• Collaborate with and support the efforts of the Associate Dean for Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Professional Learning and the centers in the William & Mary School of Education.

• Developing and leading the annual School Leadership Conference and other revenue-generating programs (e.g., the SURN Principal Academy).

• Providing operations support.

• Managing grant-related program activities.

• Developing and presenting materials, seminars, and sessions.

• Planning and leading SURN Advisory Board meetings.

• Managing programs.

• Submitting projects to protocol and compliance management.

20% - Identifying, Pursuing, and Cultivating Opportunities:

• Maintain productive relationships with the Virginia Department of Education, the university’s Development Office, foundations, local school divisions, and professional organizations to identify professional learning needs and to secure funding.

• Seek out external support for programs which are consistent with established School of Education priorities.

20% - Planning, Reporting, and Analysis:

• Develop new opportunities and innovations.

• Draft written grant proposals to fund programs and events that reflect the vision of the SURN Advisory Board.

• Host, facilitate, and/or participate in focus groups.

• Coordinate efforts on writing program evaluations with external evaluators.

• Author articles and prepare materials from grants and center work for dissemination (e.g., web, journals, presentations).

10% - Directing Center Operations:

• Provide day-to-day leadership for the School Leadership Institute and SURN operations to include, but not limited to:

• Distributing assignments, managing email and calendar, and pacing work of the center.

• Reviewing and signing requisitions.

• MOU generation and execution.

• Hiring, developing, retaining, and evaluating center staff.

• Generating and coordinating the management of budgets with the business manager.

10% - Performance Management:

• Establish clear, well-communicated expectations that relate to the goals and objectives of the department or unit.

• Provide staff with frequent, constructive feedback, including interim evaluations as appropriate.

• Ensure that staff have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to accomplish goals.

• Complete evaluations and EWPs by established deadlines with proper documentation.

• Address and document performance issues as they occur.

• Review and communicate safety issues to ensure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absences.

Additional Job Description:

Benefits Summary Statement

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program).

Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/hr/currentemployees/benefits/index.php

Job Profile:

JP0382 - Community Outreach Manager - Exempt - Salary - S15

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S15

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-07-15

Position Restrictions:

Restricted Funds

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. 

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.