Hybrid Position
The Center for Law and Education (CLE) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational equity and protecting the rights of students, particularly those from low-income families, students of color, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners. Founded in 1969, CLE works through litigation, legislative advocacy, administrative advocacy, policy development, training, and coalition-building to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality public education. For more than five decades, the organization has been a leading voice for educational justice, helping remove systemic barriers and empowering communities to address educational challenges effectively.
CLE is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity guided by its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan. With a focus on expanding its national influence, advancing its Educational Quality Bill of Rights, launching innovative demonstration projects, and strengthening organizational capacity, CLE is poised to deepen its impact and further establish itself as a leader in education law and policy advocacy. The organization currently operates with a budget of approximately $750,000 and a dedicated team of five full-time staff members.
CLE seeks an Executive Director who will serve as the organization's chief executive and strategic leader, responsible for advancing its mission, strengthening its national presence, ensuring long-term sustainability, and leading the implementation of its strategic vision. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, mission-driven leader with experience in nonprofit leadership, education, public policy, legal services, civil rights advocacy, or related fields. They will demonstrate exceptional strategic thinking, organizational leadership, fundraising success, and the ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships with funders, policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders.
The Executive Director will lead organizational strategy, resource development, advocacy initiatives, communications, operations, and staff development. The successful candidate will bring strong financial and operational management skills, a deep commitment to educational equity and social justice, and the ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture. Significant senior leadership experience is required. An advanced degree in law, education, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field is required; a Juris Doctor is preferred but not required.
For best consideration, submit a letter of interest and current resume to Kittleman & Associates, LLC by September 18, 2026.
For more information about CLE: https://cleweb.org/
Center for Law and Education - Executive Director Position Guide
Skills Required
- Advanced degree in law, education, public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, or related field
- Juris Doctor (preferred)
- Significant senior leadership experience in nonprofit, education, public policy, legal services, civil rights advocacy, or related fields
- Proven fundraising/resource development success
- Strong financial and operational management skills
- Ability to cultivate partnerships with funders, policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders
- Experience leading advocacy, communications, and program implementation
- Experience in staff management and organizational capacity building
- Commitment to educational equity and social justice
What We Do
Kittleman & Associates is an executive search firm dedicated exclusively to nonprofit leadership. It helps nonprofit organizations identify and recruit CEOs and executive directors, combining customized search processes, analytics, sector expertise, and hands-on guidance from consultants with nonprofit leadership or board experience. The firm also advises clients on leadership transitions and succession, supporting organizations across a broad range of nonprofit sectors.
