Chaloner has partnered with the Education Writers Association on their search for an Executive Director.

About EWA

The Education Writers Association (EWA), the nation’s premier professional organization advancing high-quality education journalism, invites applications and nominations for the position of Executive Director. EWA seeks an experienced leader who is passionate about bolstering education journalism, has a track record of building meaningful external relationships and representing an organization with infectious enthusiasm, credibility and clarity. EWA is poised to build on our history of strong programming and support of our robust membership as we enter a new phase of growth and evolution at this pivotal moment.

For nearly 80 years, EWA has supported a broad community of journalists and communications professionals with the goal of improving the quality and depth of education coverage. Today, the nonprofit serves some 1,600 members through virtual and in-person professional development — including its flagship National Seminar — along with robust online resources, individualized support for journalists, reporting fellowships, and awards recognizing excellence in the field. EWA’s next Executive Director will be strategic in building on this strong foundation while articulating and guiding a clear vision for the organization’s future.

Our Search:

Reporting to the Board of Directors, EWA’s Executive Director serves as a visible and effective leader in the education journalism and communications landscape, acting as the nonprofit’s primary representative to members, donors, partners, and other key stakeholders. In a rapidly evolving media environment, the Executive Director leads a team of 13 and stewards EWA’s people, programs, and financial resources to ensure the organization’s continued relevance, impact, and long-term sustainability.

This is a pivotal moment for EWA. The organization seeks a dynamic leader and systems thinker with the ability to drive donor and earned revenue, energize staff, and elevate our public profile. The incoming Executive Director inherits a hardworking, conscientious team and a legacy organization with tremendous potential for growth.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Revenue Development

• In close collaboration with EWA’s director of development, build and sustain strong relationships with philanthropic partners and funders to secure financial support for the organization
• Bring existing funder relationships to the role and actively develop new ones to sustain EWA's impact and direction
• Develop a dynamic fundraising strategy with metrics that demonstrate the organization's accountability and effectiveness in advancing education journalism
• Own revenue targets and develop strategies to meet and exceed them, identifying new revenue streams beyond traditional funding models
• Serve as a visible, credible champion for EWA's mission in funder conversations and public forums

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Translate EWA's strategy into detailed, actionable operational plans in partnership with staff
• Ensure all programs and initiatives align directly with our core mission
• Serve as the primary external spokesperson, thought leader, and public advocate — representing EWA at national events, speaking on panels, and taking public positions in support of education journalism and democracy, among other activities
• Ensure EWA's programming is dynamic, nimble, and responsive to the rapidly changing education and media landscape

Team Management & Culture Building

• Build a cohesive organizational culture grounded in transparency, collaboration, mutual respect, and accountability 
• Be a visible, present leader who engages authentically with staff and fosters genuine connection and community within the team
• Recognize and invest in the development of talented staff, as well as being able to delegate and build up leadership skills
• Serve as the primary conduit between the board and staff, providing regular updates and fostering an environment of shared vision and trust

Partnerships & External Relations

• Develop and deepen partnerships with peer journalism organizations, with particular emphasis on affinity groups, such as the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, to reach a broader audience of education communicators
• Cultivate coalitions that amplify EWA’s mission across the education and journalism sectors
• Elevate EWA's brand and external profile as the definitive home for journalism about education

Equity & Inclusion

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to and nuanced understanding of equity and embed it meaningfully across all aspects of EWA's work
• Serve as an ally for journalists and storytellers from communities of color and other historically marginalized groups
• Advance journalism that is fair, impactful, and reflects the growing diversity of lived experiences within America's schools and across higher education
• Build and sustain an inclusive organizational culture that values and fosters a strong sense of belonging for staff and members alike

Our Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate has experience in or a background in journalism and in leading a nonprofit or mission-driven organization. They have a track record of building trust, inspiring staff, fostering collaborative leadership, and representing an organization with warmth, clarity, and passion. The candidate has substantial experience in fundraising and revenue development, including working with philanthropic partners, and a demonstrated ability to lead organizations strategically and fiscally. They have a deep understanding of U.S. education systems and the policies and forces that shape teaching and learning.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional fundraising acumen and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated success working with philanthropic partners
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to translate vision into action 
• Excellent communication and public representation skills and able to advocate for EWA's mission on national stages with confidence and conviction
• Ability to manage directly to the mission, keeping programs and priorities tightly aligned with our purpose
• Demonstrated ability to build culture and foster collaboration teams through periods of transition and growth
• A natural community builder who promotes connections among staff, members, and external partners
• Strategic understanding of when and how to engage publicly on pressing issues in education and journalism

Personal Attributes

• Charismatic, dynamic, confident, and able to inspire staff, members, and funders alike
• Self-aware, with the humility to acknowledge gaps and empower others to fill them
• Deeply mission-driven, with genuine passion for the role of quality journalism in a healthy democracy
• A caring, people-first leader who builds real relationships with staff
• Nimble and adaptable to pivot priorities in response to a rapidly changing media and education landscape
• Willing to be visible and present, both internally with staff and externally as a public face of the organization

Compensation Range: $165,000-$175,000 Annually

Equity Commitment

EWA’s next Executive Director must demonstrate a strong commitment to equity and the ability to embed it meaningfully across all aspects of our work. This includes a deep understanding of the needs and perspectives of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities; the ability to proactively cultivate a diverse, inclusive membership broadly representing education journalism and communications; and a clear vision for EWA’s role in advancing journalism that is fair, impactful, and reflective of the growing racial diversity of America’s schools. Internally, the Executive Director is expected to build and sustain an inclusive culture grounded in transparency, mutual respect, collaboration, and accountability — one that values diverse lived experiences and fosters a strong sense of belonging for staff.

If you don’t meet all of these qualifications but feel your experiences make you a strong candidate, we’d love to hear from you. 

Interested candidates should apply by using the application form. Chaloner will review all applicants and, upon qualification, contact you to determine next steps.