Lead I, Operations & Strategy

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Education Trust – New York (ETNY) seeks a Lead I, Operations & Strategy to join the organization’s New York office. The Operations & Strategy Lead I will join a staff committed to fulfilling the mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations, this role serves as the functional operational and strategy lead, independently managing day-to-day operations, people and culture workstreams, and key administrative processes. Primary responsibilities include project management; ensuring accuracy and timeliness for finance-related processes and procedures (e.g., contracts, invoices, grant reports, reimbursements, and reconciliations); and supporting the Deputy Director in developing and implementing the office’s strategic plan. This is an exciting opportunity to support ETNY staff in delivering on our mission to advance educational equity by leading strong, people-centered operational processes and systems.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

This role, available immediately, is based in our New York office and primarily works from a home office in New York or New Jersey. This position reports to the Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations at EdTrust—New York.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Partner with the Executive Director & Deputy Executive Director to translate the long-term vision for the Operations function in our New York office into short and long-term goals with relevant work plans
• Serve as the primary administrator and manager of our project management system (Asana), designing and maintaining workflows, dashboards, project templates, and reporting systems that support cross-team initiatives, organizational priorities, and effective project management
• Increase cross-team collaboration and efficiency through the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of internal systems and processes (e.g., meeting cadences, project governance, and accountability structures)
• Design, coordinate, and implement people and culture-related projects and programs to strengthen team culture and support compliance in collaboration with the National office
• Support the Deputy Director in developing and implementing the ETNY three-year strategic plan
• Manage day-to-day office finance and administration-related matters in collaboration with the office Executive Assistant – including budget tracking, vendor contracts, grant reporting, and reconciliations – serving as the primary liaison with the Finance team at EdTrust National to ensure compliance and fiscal integrity
• Coordinate and implement internal and external events and programs that advance ETNY’s strategic goals
• May recruit, hire, and manage 1-2 employees and/or interns as appropriate and budget permitting, including delegating tasks, providing coaching and development, and assessing performance
• Stay abreast of trends and research in relevant content areas to continuously grow and develop, and to make recommendations for process/practice improvements

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity
• Dedication in contributing to and maintaining an equitable working environment
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to design and establish processes, systems, and procedures, ensure adherence, and steward continuous improvement
• Knowledge and experience with finance-related activities such as reconciliations, vendor payment, budget management, grant reporting, and reimbursements
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and resolve complex operational challenges
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, multi-task and prioritize, with high attention to detail
• Teamwork skills and an eagerness for collaboration
• Willingness to receive and act upon, as well as provide, constructive feedback
• Model a commitment to continuous learning, self-reflection, and professional growth, demonstrating openness to feedback and evolving practices in alignment with EdTrust’s values
• Sound judgement

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Substantial (e.g., 5+ years) in related work experience in operations or operations-related roles
• Interest in / knowledge of education policy, especially around issues of equity
• Experience working with project management tools such as Asana, including the ability to develop and manage robust project plans across multiple functional areas
• Experience with cloud-based financial management software such as Intacct strongly preferred

COMPENSATION

This position falls in Level D of our New York salary structure. The new hire salary range for this position is $86,070 - $107,580 with offers rarely made at the top of this range. New hire offers are commensurate with relevant experience, qualifications, skills and internal equity.

EdTrust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Medical, dental and vision insurance are covered at 100% for the employee, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents. We provide sick leave, vacation leave, and personal leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Among other offerings, we provide an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee, and a generous 7% contribution opportunity on a 403(b)-retirement plan.

APPLY

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To apply, please submit a resume and respond to the short answer questions in ADP. Priority will be given to applications received by October 26, 2026.

EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds.