Director of Strategic Initiatives

About New Jersey Children’s Foundation

The New Jersey Children’s Foundation (NJCF) invests in people, programs, and partnerships that put children first and strengthen public education systems. Our vision is that every child will overcome inequities and thrive through access to high-quality public schools. Our overarching goal is to improve outcomes for all Newark students and empower families with the knowledge and tools to make the best choices for their children.

Position Overview

The New Jersey Children’s Foundation is seeking a mission-driven, entrepreneurial Director of Strategic Initiatives to expand opportunity for Newark’s children and families. This role is ideal for a strategic operator who understands communities, believes deeply in educational equity, and can move fluidly between strategy and execution – building trusted partnerships, unlocking facilities and funding opportunities, and guiding new schools from authorization to opening day.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives will lead efforts to deepen community trust, catalyze investment in high-impact projects, expand the pipeline of high-quality school facilities, and ensure Newark families have the information they need to make the best choices for their children.

Community Engagement and Partnership Development

  • Build and sustain trusted relationships with 20–30 community-based organizations serving Newark families and youth, spanning early childhood and beyond.
  • Serve as a reliable, responsive point of connection between community organizations and the broader effort to expand educational opportunity.
  • Ensure families and partners have clear, accurate information about Newark public school options.
  • Position NJCF as a respected, community-centered partner across Newark.

Catalytic Fundraising

  • Identify opportunities where seed funding from NJCF can catalyze larger investment in high-impact Newark projects.
  • Partner with nonprofits on initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity for students.
  • Coordinate donor engagement strategies, communications, and collaborative fundraising campaigns.
  • Position NJCF as an action-oriented philanthropic leader that turns ideas into results at the community level.

Project Management of School Growth

  • Identify and track facilities opportunities that can help high-quality schools grow and thrive.
  • Track buildings, properties, and emerging opportunities, including spaces that could be repurposed for educational use.
  • Build relationships with brokers, lenders, developers, and public agencies to unlock future possibilities.
  • Lead or support the recruitment of exceptional school leaders.
  • Track operational milestones for newly approved schools to ensure readiness for opening.
  • Partner closely with founding boards to build strong governance, planning, and community trust.
  • Help founders create launch plans, milestones, and systems for accountability and excellence.
  • Oversee the countless details required to open outstanding schools on time and with excellence.

Leverage NJCF Data for Common Understanding and Impact 

  • Champion public understanding of the state of education in Newark, grounded in data.
  • Help families, organizations, and civic leaders track student outcomes — including graduation rates, certifications, college enrollment, persistence, and completion.
  • Unite community partners around a shared understanding of what is working and where urgency is needed.
  • Build alignment and shared ownership toward a brighter future for Newark students.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • 7-10+ years of experience in real estate/facilities, strategic initiatives, partnership development, or nonprofit leadership
  • Deep knowledge of the City of Newark, its communities, and public schools
  • Strong and personal commitment to educational equity
  • Demonstrated success building and sustaining relationships with community-based organizations, government agencies, and/or corporate partners
  • Working knowledge of real estate, facilities, or financing structures (acquisition, leasing, renovation, lending), or ability to build this expertise quickly
  • Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects from strategy through execution
  • Comfort operating with significant autonomy and ambiguity in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
  • Excellent relationship-building, negotiation, and communication skills across diverse stakeholders
  • Ability to translate data and outcomes into clear, compelling narratives for varied audiences
  • Position requires in-person availability in Newark and occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred Experience

  • Background in real estate development, facilities finance, or public-private partnerships
  • Experience with charter school authorization, launch, or governance
  • Familiarity with Newark’s charter and district schools
  • Bilingual (English/Spanish)
  • Experience working with municipal agencies, school boards, and/or elected officials

Compensation

Salary range: $120,000 – $138,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include: medical, dental, 3% 401k match, and unlimited PTO.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hiring@njchildren.org.

NJCF is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

  • NJCF is a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) NON-profit. NJCF does not endorse or oppose either directly or indirectly any candidate for public office, contribute to political campaigns, engage in political fundraising, solicit contributions to any candidate’s campaign for office or engage in any activity that may favor or oppose a specific candidate for office. | Privacy Policy