Chief Executive Officer - Ednovate

EDNOVATE BACKGROUND

Founded in 2012 by USC’s Rossier School of Education, Ednovate serves more than 2,800 students across 8 schools in Los Angeles and Orange County, including Ednovate Virtual Academy. Ednovate is a growing network on a trajectory to reach over 5,000 students and expand to 11 schools in the coming years. Atlas College Prep, its newest campus, will open in Santa Ana in fall 2026 (read more about our schools here).  

Ednovate’s mission is to create Positive Multigenerational Change by closing the college attainment gap and influencing national policy and practice through the reimagining of America’s high school report card. Ednovate has achieved 100% four-year college acceptance for students across every school for two consecutive years; the Class of 2026 earned more than $55M in scholarships and grants. The 2025 Student Access & Earnings Classifications, developed by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation, placed Ednovate among the top charter organizations in the country for college outcomes, with graduates earning roughly 50% more than local peers. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ednovate started with a bold vision to prove that high schools can be built differently. The network of 8 schools grew through the sustained effort of a small team and their commitment to graduating self-aware, engaged young adults who are challenged, supported, and prepared for college. In the last few years, Ednovate has deliberately evolved into a systems-led organization, defining operations, building standard procedures for year-over-year consistency, and restructuring leadership teams around long-term sustainability.

Ednovate’s incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will build on that foundation by strengthening the systems, structures, and teams needed to support its future. They will be a passionate, student-centered leader who will evolve a high-performing network into its next phase of impact. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will create a clear roadmap, aligning staff, families, students, board members, and community partners around the 2030 priorities.

The CEO will be strategic and analytical, able to navigate complex tradeoffs, and drive measurable progress toward ambitious goals. They will be a deeply relational and present leader who builds trust, inspires shared ownership, and brings people together in service of a common purpose. The CEO will cultivate the partnerships and resources needed to support the organization's long-term health while amplifying its influence and impact. Above all, they will share Ednovate's belief in the potential of every student and foster a culture of excellence, belonging, innovation, and continuous growth. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Maintain the Vision, Steward the Strategy, and Accelerate Progress Toward 2030 Goals

• Lead the ongoing work of engaging the board, leadership team, staff, partners, and community in advancing a shared strategic direction for Ednovate's next chapter.
• Establish a multi-year roadmap that translates long-term goals into clear annual priorities, keeping students at the center and defining measurable indicators of success.
• Create space for honest reflection through listening, observing, and identifying the opportunities that matter most for student impact.
• Evaluate growth opportunities through the lens of community need and organizational readiness, pursuing expansion only where there is clear demand, strong leadership, financial sustainability, and facility stability.

Build Strong Teams and Leaders to Drive Lasting Impact

• Develop and manage a high-performing leadership team, investing in their growth, clarifying ownership, strengthening team cohesion, and modeling a culture of care and accountability.
• Sustain a healthy, collaborative culture that reflects Ednovate's values by deepening trust, celebrating what is working, and addressing barriers to success.
• Assess talent across key areas, ensure the right people are in the right roles; expand leadership capacity and build strong succession plans.
• Accelerate growth for every student by strengthening instructional consistency and turning bright spots into scalable systems across the network rather than isolated wins. 

Invest in the Relationships and Resources to Advance Ednovate’s Mission

• Raise $2M–$5M annually to support growth and innovation, while maintaining financial strength through a diversified funding base and strategic resource allocation.
• Partner with the board on key priorities, community engagement, and political strategy, establishing the structures needed for strong governance and transparency.
• Cultivate and expand the USC partnership and the philanthropic, community, business, and political coalitions that build support and deepen local and national advocacy.
• Serve as a visible and trusted ambassador, building authentic relationships and partnerships with families and key stakeholders, including local school districts, charter authorizers, donors, and community members.

Scale Innovation Through Systems and Position the Organization at the Leading Edge

• Strengthen Ednovate’s capacity to codify, scale, and continuously improve the practices that drive the strongest outcomes.
• Partner with the leadership team to champion innovation across academics, operations, and school management to remain effective and ahead of what's next.
• Elevate the Whole Child Report Card from an internal framework to a recognized model by showcasing the practices and student outcomes that can influence policy, practice, and advocacy beyond Ednovate.
• Guide AI adoption, balancing innovation with responsible stewardship to promote valuable applications that enhance teaching and learning and improve effectiveness.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 12 years of leadership experience in a K-12, charter management organization, nonprofit, or education-adjacent environment.
• Track record of leading high-performing organizations and delivering measurable results against ambitious goals.
• Emotionally intelligent and relational leader who listens deeply, navigates ambiguity with confidence, and leads with authenticity.
• Ability to mobilize leaders around shared goals, balancing support and accountability to execute strategy and advance priorities.
• Effective experience partnering with the Board to ensure strong governance and accountability.
• Proven experience navigating philanthropic, civic, business, and political sectors to cultivate influential partnerships, attract funding, and increase visibility.
• Demonstrated ability to drive whole-student success and accelerate student growth.
• Experience driving enrollment and retention strategy in a competitive, declining-enrollment market.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and fostering an inclusive culture where staff, students, and families of all backgrounds thrive.
• Bachelor’s degree, required; advanced degree, preferred.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO

• A competitive CEO compensation package, with a salary range of $300,000–$350,000, determined by executive leadership experience and overall qualifications.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage - including a fully-paid medical and dental option for employees and their families - and flexible spending account options
• Paid family leave, short-term disability, and life insurance benefits
• Fitness and entertainment discounts
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• 403b retirement savings plan, with organization match
• A place to grow, learn, and be a part of the Ednovate family

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU! 

We are excited to review your application! Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so it is in the candidate’s best interest to apply as soon as possible. To apply, please submit a resume to our search partner Leveled Talent at resumes@leveledtalent.com.