Lead the Future  

The Role

In 1949, the U.S. government founded the Joint Council for Economic Education to train teachers and integrate economic education in school curricula across the nation. Over its 75-year history, CEE has expanded beyond economics education to include teaching students about personal finance. Today, CEE seeks to equip K-12 students with the tools and knowledge of personal finance and economics so that they can make better decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. This includes advocating for every student to have access to at least one personal finance and economics course, each, before finishing high school.

To accomplish its work, CEE has grown to become a diversified, sustainable organization – with a unique mix of funding and revenue sources – that serves over two million students and 50,000 teachers through its programs and resources. CEE maintains a connection to the Federal Reserve through the current and former bank Presidents who sit on its Board of Directors; CEE also accomplishes its work with the support of its Associate Board, and in coordination with its nearly 180 national affiliate organizations across the country.

The next President & CEO of the Council for Economic Education will arrive at an important moment, when low levels of financial literacy exacerbate the already-yawning wealth gap. At a time when political polarization means there are few issues on which all can agree, arming young people with tools that make for a resilient financial life is a mission that brings a diverse array of stakeholders under the tent. The next CEO is the chief strategist and ambassador for this broad coalition and will lead the effort to further sharpen CEE’s priorities to maximize its impact.

The CEO reports to the Board of Directors and oversees a staff of more than 20 employees based in the Council’s New York City office. Direct reports to the CEO include the Chief Program Officer, the Chief Development Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Vice President of Marketing. The nationwide network of nearly 180 affiliates include over 400 employees and aggregated operating revenues of $25M.

Key Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy

• Embody the values and mission of CEE—championing equity and excellence in personal finance and economic education in all 50 states, keeping the needs of students at the center of our work
• Lead CEE’s vision setting and strategy development, aimed at raising the organizational profile, streamlining organizational complexity, and deepening its impact
• Work collaboratively with the Board, staff, and regional affiliates to lead, support, guide, and execute on the organization’s core mission

External Engagement, Policy, and Fundraising

• Elevate the reputation of and visibility of CEE as the national leader in economic and personal finance education
• Lead and guide a strategy to attract philanthropic support from private individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Strategically advance relationships with key external stakeholders including (but not limited to) CEE Associate Board members, CEE affiliates, industry associations, corporate partners, government leaders, policymakers, school systems, media, and institutions of higher education
• Guide CEE’s advocacy strategy to advance requirements for economics and personal finance education in all 50 states
• Guide implementation of CEE’s major annual events, including the National Educator Conference, CEE’s Annual Gala, and its two signature national student challenges

Leadership, Operations, and Financial Management

• Build, mentor, and develop teams; provide leadership while attracting, retaining, and developing top diverse talent for the core organization and affiliates
• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion with the organization, while establishing an organizational culture that recognizes and celebrates differences
• Identify opportunities for improved operating efficiencies, transparency, and competitiveness; maintain and enhance a measurement and data- driven culture that is focused on the long-term impact of its programs