Associate Executive Director

ORGANIZATION: 

Rainier Scholars is a comprehensive academic enrichment program that supports students of color over a 12-year journey – from 5th grade to college graduation. We seek to serve those who are most under-represented on college campuses and have the greatest number of barriers to achieving a college education: 85% qualify as low-income, 90% would be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Our program offers rigorous academics, leadership development and personalized support for scholars, providing access to educational pathways and myriad opportunities previously unimagined. 

With a budget size of $10 million, a staff team of 50 full-time employees and 675 scholars and families whom we currently serve in Seattle and Tacoma, Rainier Scholars has established a positive brand for our unwavering commitment to education, proven success rate, and sustainable impact. We grow new generations of diverse college graduates, career professionals, and community leaders. 
 

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Associate Executive Director (AED) at Rainier Scholars - Tacoma will play a pivotal role in supporting the strategic growth and daily operations of the organization’s Tacoma-based programming. Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the AED will help implement the vision, values, and mission of Rainier Scholars in Tacoma, ensuring the organization effectively serves its students and families. This position will oversee recruitment and program operations, manage a talented team, and contribute to resource development efforts to ensure long-term sustainability and impact. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Leadership & Management 

• Oversee and ensure the effective delivery of programs and services to students and families in the Tacoma region. 
• Support the design and implementation of curriculum, enrichment activities, and mental health programming to maximize student outcomes. 
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop programmatic goals, policies and procedures that align with organizational mission and objectives. 
• Identify emerging relationship and programmatic issues, engage participants in solving problems, evaluate decision options, and use intervention strategies appropriately.  
• Develop and monitor program budget, including expense projections and recommendations. 

Team Management & Development 

• Supervise, coach, and support a dedicated team of four Directors, encompassing the areas of recruitment, programs and wellness.  
• Foster a culture of collaboration, growth, and continuous improvement within the team. 
• Recruit, train, and retain high-performing staff to ensure programmatic success. 
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement 
• Build and maintain relationships with key community partners, school districts, and local organizations to support student success. 
• Serve as a spokesperson for Rainier Scholars in the Tacoma area by representing the organization at public events, conferences, and community meetings. 
• Oversee the strategic direction of outreach and recruitment efforts to identify and enroll high-potential students. 

Strategic Planning & Reporting 

• Collaborate with the ED and senior leadership team to contribute to long-term planning and strategic growth for the Tacoma region. 
• Analyze program data and student outcomes to assess program effectiveness and suggest improvements. 
• Regularly report on program performance and community impact to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and key stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in education, nonprofit management, business, or a related field  
• 5 years of experience in program management, leadership, or executive-level roles in education or nonprofit organizations. 
• Demonstrated experience in staff management, team leadership, and performance feedback. 
• Strong understanding of the Tacoma community and the challenges faced by underserved student populations. 
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and public speaking skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and maintain a high standard of excellence. 
• Passion for education equity and empowering underserved communities 
• Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Docs; familiarity/ease with databases (Salesforce); familiarity with analyzing data. 

DESIRED: 

• Master’s degree in education, nonprofit management, business, or a related field  
• Individuals with a professional history in traditional schools or districts, community-based non-profits, and/or university settings. 
• Tacoma residency, and/or deep connection to the Tacoma community. 
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

Compensation for this role is $140-150K annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full-time, exempt position. Rainier Scholars offers employer-paid medical and dental benefits, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, generous vacation, all-staff holiday closure, personal days, sick leave, and holiday pay. 

Rainier Scholars is a workplace committed to wellness and sustainability. This is a flexible, hybrid full-time role based out of our Tacoma office. This role may require some work in the evenings and weekends. This schedule is subject to change as needs arise. 
 
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and interest in the position. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit their applications by March 7, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Open until filled. 

Our work is rooted in ensuring people from marginalized communities have the opportunity to thrive in education and careers that they are passionate about. Rainier Scholars is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive environment for our scholars, families, and staff. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, and strongly encourage people of color, first-generation college graduates, and people from working class backgrounds to apply.

Salary : $140,000 - $150,000