Zero Dropouts ยท 4 days ago
Chief Executive Officer (Interim) Zero Dropouts (ZD)
Denver,CO,US
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$150K/yr - $150K/yrZero Dropouts (ZD) is an innovative organization in the educational services space, dedicated to reducing dropout rates and fostering equity. The Interim Chief Executive Officer will lead the organization in pioneering educational approaches while ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence. This role involves strategic leadership, championing innovation, and engaging with stakeholders to create a thriving learning ecosystem.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Champion innovation as a core identity of ZD, continually seeking new approaches to reduce dropout rates and expand student success
Lead in ways informed by living systems, cultivating adaptability, interdependence, and responsiveness across the organization
Embed the ZD Way into organizational vision and strategy, ensuring beliefs and principles guide all initiatives
Lead with inquiry before action, grounding decisions in curiosity, research, and alignment with purpose
Challenge systems and practices that perpetuate inequity or inefficiency
Hold the hope for students, staff, and partners, nurturing belief in what is possible
Drive profitability as a central organizational priority, ensuring financial sustainability and growth
Oversee financial health with transparency and accountability
Secure diverse funding streams, including contracts, grants through nonprofit partners, and philanthropic partnerships
Report regularly to the Owner, ensuring shared responsibility for organizational success
Oversee and strengthen the operational backbone of the organization, ensuring excellence in delivery of current services
Manage organizational systems as living systems, fostering resilience and interdependence
Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical standards while maintaining a culture of innovation
Balance visionary leadership with strong execution
Design with, not for: engage students, families, educators, and communities as co-creators
Cultivate partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility
Represent ZD in public forums with empathy, collaboration, and innovation
Lead with empathy, not judgment, creating a psychologically safe and empowering environment
Promote continuous learning, iteration, and growth
Encourage agency and independence among staff
Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are lived practices across the organization
Qualification
Required
Proven executive leadership experience in education, nonprofit, social enterprise, or mission-driven organizations
Demonstrated ability to champion innovation while ensuring profitability and operational excellence
Strong track record in driving strategic intentions, organizational growth, and financial management
Commitment to anti-deficit ideology and equity-centered leadership
Interest, expertise, and experience in operations management, including systems, processes, and compliance
Ability to lead with responsiveness to emerging opportunities and challenges as an approach to doing business
Preferred
Experience working with school districts, educational service providers, or community-based organizations
Familiarity with Colorado's educational landscape and sociocultural models of learning
Advanced degree in education, public administration, business, or related field
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, retirement contributions, and paid time off.
Professional development opportunities and a supportive, mission-driven work environment.
Company
Zero Dropouts
Zero Dropouts is a social enterprise that takes an innovative, non-traditional approach to learning and development of young adults grounded in the belief that all students have the ability to be successful in education and life.
Founded in 2011
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Joy Smith
Chief Operations Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase