About METCO
The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Inc. (METCO), the largest and best-known voluntary school desegregation program in the United States, seeks a Chief Executive Officer. Established during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program was designed to provide the opportunity for children from racially imbalanced schools in Boston and children from isolated suburban schools to learn together in an integrated, racially and ethnically diverse public-school setting. Over the last 59 years, METCO has facilitated the graduation of more than 100,000 alumni. Today, METCO’s 3,300 Boston resident students attend public schools in 33 participating districts in metropolitan Boston.
A robust, 20-year longitudinal study has demonstrated data which is clear that METCO works! METCO students are high achieving in MCAS scores, graduation rates, college admission rates, and employment and income rates.
METCO as a longstanding leader in the field, strives to continue to create impact in the area of voluntary school integration within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and across the nation to promote school inclusion, close the achievement gap, and overcome racial barriers.
History
As the second oldest voluntary inter-district school assignment program in the country dedicated to increasing diversity and reducing racial isolation, the METCO Program is unique. On September 6, 1966, the first 220 Boston students rode on buses to classrooms in seven suburban communities in Massachusetts to amplify academic, emotional, and social support needed to succeed not only in K-12, but also post-secondary, education. The receiving districts also benefit by having the opportunity to experience a variety of cultures, while being enveloped in experiences and dialogue that would not be possible without this cross-cultural exchange. The creation of this network lends itself to the creation of global citizens who will ultimately impact our world.
Funded by the State Legislature under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 76; Section 12A and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), METCO, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the headquarters, providing administrative and support services including, but not limited to, student placement, transportation planning, student counseling, family and student advocacy, tutoring, and liaising with suburban communities.
Governance and Administration
The METCO, Inc. Board of Directors is responsible for providing strategic leadership, ensuring fiscal stewardship, setting policy and governance consistent with METCO’s mission, and advancing the organization’s philanthropic priorities. In addition to these collective responsibilities, individual Board members are expected to complete Board assignments and work collaboratively with METCO’s staff to support organizational success. The Board consists of up to 18 members and has a minimum of 6 meetings per year.
Staff
METCO, Inc. has a staff of approximately 18 members. Direct reports to the President & Chief Executive Officer will include the Chief Student Services and Enrollment Officer, the Chief Administration and Finance Officer, and the Chief Development Officer.
Finances and Development
METCO, Inc. operates with a budget of approximately $3M. Funding for the METCO program and participating school districts is supported by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In its next chapter, a more robust and strategic philanthropic plan will be necessary to strengthen its revenue and enhance opportunities for METCO students and families.
Learn more about METCO at www.metcoinc.org.
The Opportunity
As METCO builds on its past successes and shapes its future, the organization seeks a dynamic President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure the effective delivery and ongoing refinement of an excellent program for students and families. Upholding METCO’s mission and core values, the next President & CEO will identify how the program may be strengthened to respond to current challenges around school integration and educational equity.
Building on the legacy of its past leaders while leading efforts to elevate the visibility of the METCO brand, the successful President & CEO will continue to expand its network of support, and modernize METCO, Inc.’s operations.
Reporting to the METCO, Inc. Board of Directors, the President & CEO will collaborate with the Board and other constituents to establish the organization’s strategic direction and lead its success in day-to-day operations.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader who is passionately committed to equity in K-12 education and brings a strong mastery of the educational system as well as nonprofit leadership skills to serve an organization recognized as a national model.
Key Responsibilities Include:
Leading a strategic vision consistent with METCO’s core values and current needs
- The President & CEO will collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement a strategic plan that aligns the budget, staff, and priorities with METCO’s core mission. They will do the following:
- Communicate a bold vision for the next phase of METCO, Inc., garnering support from diverse constituencies.
- Uphold METCO’s commitment to racial integration and educational equity and serve as a culture leader, putting values into practice by leading a student-centered culture and infusing the work of the organization with collaboration, open and transparent decision-making, and high expectations.
Enhancing the program to fully engage the entire METCO community
- The successful President & CEO will identify and act upon opportunities to strengthen the METCO program and the student and family experience, including, but not limited to, wraparound services such as Individualized Education Program support, resources for students and families, and social and emotional support programming for students. They will do the following:
- Build relationships with students, family, and alumni to understand and grow the range of supports provided to METCO participants.
- Foster an environment of inclusion and belonging by deepening relationships across the entire network so that students and families will identify as part of the METCO community in Boston as well as in their school district.
- Work with METCO district leadership, including METCO Directors and Superintendents, to address achievement gaps through targeted academic supports.
- Support participating districts by providing quality educational opportunities and increasing cultural proficiency to effectively support both urban and suburban students and families.
- Leverage qualitative and quantitative data to track current and long-term outcomes for METCO students.
- Lead efforts to activate the alumni community, enabling METCO, Inc. to connect past and current participants in meaningful relationships.
Leading racial justice advocacy & healing
- The President & CEO will coordinate with METCO districts and Directors to acknowledge and respond to past and ongoing racism experienced by METCO students in districts. They will do the following:
- Establish structures for restorative practices, anti-racist accountability measures, and healing-centered engagement in response to racial trauma.
- Collaborate with similar organizations nationwide (e.g., Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Programs, urban-suburban transfer programs) to build a unified voice around integration and racial justice.
Growing philanthropic support
- Partnering with the Chief Development Officer, the President & CEO will ensure the implementation of a robust and diversified development plan, including philanthropic partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and government funding, that will allow for organizational sustainability. They will do the following:
- Act as a leading external champion for METCO, Inc., sharing the METCO story and impact in a way that motivates and inspires donor and funder support.
- Work with the Board and development staff to create and implement plans for significant fundraising initiatives, which may include a gala and a capital campaign.
- Drive efforts to engage METCO alumni as philanthropic supporters.
- Supervise the publication of an annual impact report showing return on investment and student success metrics.
Stewarding state and local legislative ties
- Representing METCO with the Governor and state legislature, the President & CEO will lobby for multi-year funding increases and support. They will do the following:
- Maintain effective relationships with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE) and other relevant local, state, and federal agencies, with the goal of protecting and expanding METCO’s funding.
- Engage city and town officials in both Boston and suburban receiving communities to create local champions of METCO and will explore expansion opportunities in current and new districts.
- Work with the METCO Directors, staff, and Board to host “METCO Advocacy Day” at the State House and local events that connect students and alumni with policymakers for funding and support.
Overseeing operational and financial performance
- Leading the efficient and effective day-to-day operations of METCO, Inc., the successful President & CEO will operate through skilled supervision of the organization’s leadership team. They will do the following:
- Ensure the financial health of the organization and share financial reports with the Board of Directors.
- Work with the Board to identify alternative real estate opportunities for the METCO, Inc. headquarters to ensure the physical space supports program needs.
Engaging the Board of Directors
- The incoming President & CEO will work closely with the Board to retain its strength, support the recruitment of new, prominent members, ensure broad and inclusive representation within its membership, and support its role as philanthropists and ambassadors for METCO.
Candidate Profile
We recognize that there is a broad range of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
Connection to METCO’s Mission and Values
Demonstrating a deep and unwavering commitment to METCO’s students and mission, the successful President & CEO will be recognized as the public face for METCO. They will exhibit courageous leadership and the ability to initiate and lead conversations about racial and educational equity and justice with multi-racial/cultural groups of students, families, educators, and community members. They will leverage a background that is anchored in the educational sector in both suburban and urban contexts, especially as it relates to supporting students and families. Lived experience as a participant in METCO is considered a benefit.
Skilled Community-Builder
Offering exceptionally strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to create a welcoming experience for all METCO participants, strong candidates will bring experience in a highly visible role in which they have built trust and mutual respect with communities. They will bring a proven track record in community-engaged leadership, with a focus on building coalitions and listening deeply and responding to the needs of varied constituencies, while always putting students and families at the center. They will be able to promote METCO’s mission and vision while operating with humility, cultural proficiency, and empathy.
Bold Fundraiser and Champion
A relentless, persuasive, and engaging fundraiser, the next President &CEO will demonstrate a track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic donors as well as an understanding of government funding. They will demonstrate the ability to tell an organization’s story and draw on data to convey its impact in a way that inspires support from a broad range of audiences. Moreover, they will take deep pride in this work and offer proven results in building strategic relationships on behalf of an organization.
Experienced Organizational Leader
Bringing at least 10 years of senior management experience and possessing well-rounded organizational leadership skills, the successful President/CEO will have experience in defining and implementing strategic work plans; leveraging data to understand opportunities for improvement; managing staff to high performance in a results-oriented culture, especially by coaching senior leaders; and overseeing multimillion-dollar organizational budgets. Experience in leading an organization through change will also set the next President & CEO up for success. The ideal candidate will also bring experience working successfully with a Board of Directors or similar entity.
Systems Thinker and Advocate
Navigating highly complex systems with many different constituencies, the successful President & CEO will demonstrate a high level of savviness. As a skilled strategic thinker, they will bring experience championing an organization’s goals and finding opportunities for mutual support and partnership. Past success in building effective relationships with state and local legislators, superintendents and other key constituents in participating school districts, and/or the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, or other similar entities, would be a key asset to this role.
The successful President & CEO will not only be a strategic systems thinker but an inspiring and innovative leader who grasps the transformational nature of education and can generate cohesion and aspiration.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $225,000 with a generous benefits package.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Maureen Alphonse-Charles and Kirstin Griffiths. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
METCO, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.