Associate Partner, National Academies

Location: Flexible within the US (Travel required 20%)

Type: Full-time

Team: National Leadership Programs Team

Desired Start Date: February 15, 2026

 

Summary:

Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is an accredited not-for-profit institution of higher education serving thousands of educators from across the country, from pre-service teachers to system-level leaders. Our mission is to ensure that all students are taught by excellent educators, in order to build a more just world where every student has a clear path to a fulfilling life.

The Professional Education team designs and delivers transformative learning experiences for PK–12 educators and leaders, contributing directly to Relay’s mission of ensuring all students are taught by excellent educators. The Associate Partner, National Academies plays a critical role to support Relay’s flagship fellowship programs for school and system leaders, including the National Principal Academy Fellowship (NPAF), the National Principal Supervisors Academy (NPSA), and the National Instructional Professional Development (ILPD) program. Reporting to the Managing Partner, National Academies, this leader collaborates with the team on vision, strategic planning, data analysis and action planning, driving toward ambitious goals for participant satisfaction and belonging, implementation readiness, and improved student outcomes. A detail-oriented, thorough leader, the Associate Partner supports best-in-field program management to ensure Relay’s National Academies continue to be recognized nationally for their excellence and impact.

 

Role’s Contributions (Duties and Responsibilities): 

The essential responsibilities of this position, while not limited to the following, will include: 

Program Management: National Academies (55%)

• Implement new systems, program components, and processes that strengthen Relay Leadership Programs’ National Academies, and lead the design, implementation, and change management required to ensure effective adoption
• Set the vision and strategy for assigned workshops, cohorts, or coaching partnerships within NPAF, NPSA, and ILPD, informing the broader National Leadership Programs team strategy
• Collaborate with the Managing Partner, National Academies to manage our flagship programs, including: scheduling; internal and external communications; data tracking and analysis of completion rates, assessments, attendance; data-informed action planning; and hiring adjunct faculty, training advisors, etc.
• Coordinate and execute NPAF/NPSA small-group and individual learning and coaching opportunities, including Coaching Labs, 1:1 Advisor Coaching, Triathlon, Capstone, etc. including surveying participants pre/post-sessions, creating team schedules, etc.
• Lead the implementation of program components across assigned cohorts, including scope and sequence execution, scheduling, instructional platforms (e.g., Canvas), assessment processes, progress reporting, and micro-credentialing
• Manage the regular progress report process internally and externally 
• Manage Micro-Credentials, including awarding these based on proficient assessments and sending out completion certifications
• Manage current and past participant requests for verification letters and certificates of completion and participant leaves of absence
• Foster inclusive, connected learning communities within assigned cohorts, collaborating with internal partners to ensure that program experiences promote belonging and reflect Relay’s equity-centered values

Coaching, Facilitation, and Advising (20%) 

• Serve as an advisor for a portfolio of NPAF/NPSA participants, providing coaching, feedback, and assessment support to advance leadership growth
• Facilitate professional learning for assigned workshops and cohorts, including teaching during Summer Intensives, Intersessions, and Coaching Labs
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., other Professional Education teams such as Customized Coaching and Training) to coach leaders to effectively implement leadership programming

Content and Program Development (15%)

• Contribute to the design and revision of workshops, courses, and coaching content in response to emerging needs and trends in school and system leader development such as equity-centered leadership or adaptive instructional coaching
• Collaborate with Content Design Group(s), leading and contributing to the design of participant-facing professional development sessions, including content visioning and refresh and lever redesign
• Design and revise instructional and coaching materials, including Coaching Labs and aligned professional learning resources

Professional Education Team Collaboration and Leadership (10%)

• Support professionals within assigned caseloads to apply Relay leadership practices, strengthening leader effectiveness, instructional quality, and student outcomes
• Contribute to special projects, pilots, or initiatives that inform team learning and program improvement
• Other duties, projects, or tasks that may be assigned to support the internal Professional Education Team

 

Qualifications

First and foremost, the Associate Partner, National Academies must share the Relay community’s commitment to working together to improve student growth and achievement through phenomenal teacher preparation grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This includes providing teacher preparation programs that set novice teachers up to succeed in the classroom from day one; leadership programs that train new and veteran school and district leaders to best serve their school communities; and teacher-facing professional education that provides ongoing learning to educators. Additionally, for this position we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s or doctoral degree
• Minimum of five years of experience as a school principal in a high-need community, with a strong record of student achievement through instructional and cultural work including teacher coaching and feedback, data-driven instruction, school culture, and professional development
• Experience designing and delivering professional learning for instructional leaders in online and/or in-person settings
• Experience supporting program vision, design, and strategic planning
• Strong project management skills and ability to lead complex systems and workflows
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to educational equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities
• Ability to travel 20-30% of the time
• Authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Relay leadership programs, either as a team member, NPAF/NPSA alum, or as a school leader implementing Relay-aligned practices

Relay prepares teachers and school leaders to teach students of all identities and backgrounds in order to push toward a time when this country no longer faces stark educational inequities. We recruit, develop, support, and retain a diverse staff, faculty, and graduate student body because we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and actively anti-racist institution. We know, and the data supports, that diversity, equity, and inclusion cultivate an environment in which people of all backgrounds can thrive and this is critical to achieving our mission of educational excellence and equity.

To fulfill that commitment, Relay encourages applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply for roles that align with their own interests and career trajectory. If you meet a majority of the qualifications and see yourself in this role, we would love to see your application!

Compensation

Relay is committed to creating and maintaining a compensation and benefits system that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make decisions about compensation, we will be guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal equity. The salary range for this role is $123,800-$148,560. New hires will be offered a salary at the starting point of the range, $123,800 to allow for an equitable starting salary process and continual salary growth during an employee’s time at Relay GSE.

To ensure internal pay equity:

• Relay does not currently differentiate starting salary offers based on years of experience,
• All staff salaries will be capped at the salary range maximum, and
• Relay does not negotiate salary offers.

Relay offers a comprehensive total rewards package. For full-time roles, this includes health insurance benefits, disability and life insurance, retirement plan, professional development, gym reimbursement, adoption assistance, paid time off (PTO), parental leave, etc. To learn more about Relay’s benefits, please visit here.   

Work Location Policy

Employees must have a primary work location within the U.S., where they are legally authorized to work. Relay is a registered employer in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and Washington DC. Please note that Relay Graduate School of Education's headquarters are in New York City. Employees who choose to perform work from states not listed here will be subject to NYC state withholdings.

Relay Graduate School of Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.