Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Teach For Italy

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Teach For Italy

GeoPolist

Position description: Full time
Work Location: Rome, Turin, Florence, or Milan, based on the candidate’s preference during the selection process.
Work Mode: Hybrid, with availability for frequent domestic and international travel.

About Us
Teach For Italy – Insegnare Per l’Italia – ETS is a non-profit organization, part of the global Teach For All network, active in 63 countries worldwide. We work to combat educational inequalities and strengthen schools in the most disadvantaged contexts by attracting young talents and fresh energy into Italy’s most underserved schools. We engage the most promising future Italian leaders who, through our Fellowship and training program, dedicate two years of their lives to teaching in schools facing the greatest challenges related to educational poverty.

Who We Are Looking For
Teach For Italy – Insegnare per l’Italia – ETS is seeking a visionary and entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer (CEO), motivated by our social mission. The CEO will be responsible for defining and leading the strategic direction and daily operations of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic and Organizational Leadership
   Provide the vision and strategic direction to promote the mission and growth of Teach For Italy, aligning it with the goals and values of Teach For All. Work closely with the President and the Board of Directors to design and implement the organization’s strategy; Guide and support area heads in defining and achieving ambitious goals, particularly in recruitment, selection, development, placement, HR, admin & finance. Create and promote a strong organizational culture based on collective leadership, transparency, and equity among fellows, alumni, and staff; Motivate and inspire fellows, alumni, and staff to work towards a transformative impact on educational inequality in Italy; Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and collective accountability within Teach For Italy.
2. External and Institutional Relations
   Strengthen understanding and support for the Teach For Italy and Teach For All models, securing necessary financial resources and opportunities for the organization’s functioning and expansion; Support the Development & Partnerships Manager in designing and implementing a fundraising strategy for financial sustainability and growth; Cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including policymakers, educational institutions, and philanthropic organizations, both in Italy and abroad; Represent Teach For Italy at high-profile events, positioning the organization as a leading voice in educational equity and innovation while also supporting the recruitment of new fellows and the alumni community; Maintain strong relationships with Teach For All, representing Teach For Italy within the global network and integrating international best practices into local strategies; Maintain solid relationships with Friends of Teach For Italy and its international network, supporting their strategy and work from Italy.
3. Operational, Financial, and Administrative Management
   Manage the growing organizational and programmatic complexity, developing a multi-level medium- to long-term strategy to maintain efficiency and effectiveness in the organization and team; Manage Teach For Italy’s financial health, including budgeting, financial planning, and regulatory compliance; In close collaboration with the Admin & Finance Manager, support the creation and implementation of appropriate financial and administrative policies and procedures. Ensure the organization meets external audit requirements and maintains the highest standards of financial transparency and accountability; Develop solid human resource management practices to recruit, select, train, and retain high-performing staff members; Inspire and support the Senior Leadership Team to achieve operational excellence and results necessary for organizational growth; Act as a mentor and role model for the staff, fostering professional development and a culture of inclusion and belonging.
4. Leadership in the Educational Change Movement
   Work closely with the senior leadership team to build and strengthen Teach For Italy’s community of educational changemakers, inspiring fellows, alumni, and partners to support the organization’s mission; Support the Alumni Manager in developing and implementing a long-term strategy for alumni engagement, strengthening their collective impact on the Italian educational system; Act as an advocate for Teach For Italy’s alumni, valuing their contributions and promoting systemic change through their work.

What We Expect
A visionary leader capable of articulating and executing a courageous long-term strategy; Empathetic and community-oriented with a proven track record in building solid teams and networks; Strong values orientation, proactive, with critical thinking and a strong entrepreneurial spirit; Deep belief in the Teach For Italy and Teach For All theories of change; Results-driven, with a focus on innovation both programmatically and in management; Resilient, capable of navigating complexity and driving change in challenging contexts; Flexible mindset and strong sense of possibility; Proven leadership experience, preferably in the non-profit, educational, or social impact sectors; Demonstrated success in fundraising, partnership development, and engaging multi-level stakeholders; Strong financial acumen, with experience in budgeting, financial oversight, and audits; Excellent communication and relational skills, capable of inspiring and mobilizing diverse stakeholder groups; Deep understanding of the Italian education system and the systemic challenges related to educational equity; Passion for the mission of Teach For Italy and commitment to the values of the Teach For All network.

Essential Requirements
Education: Master’s degree level; Experience: At least 5 years of experience in similar leadership roles; At least 2 years of international work experience outside of Italy; Languages: Native-level Italian; Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Personal Traits and Soft Skills
Alignment with the values of Teach For Italy and Teach For All; Excellent communication skills; Strong relational skills; Strong analytical skills; Strong organizational skills; Ability to solve problems and adapt creatively to unforeseen situations, both in teams and autonomously; Good strategic thinking abilities; Ability and willingness to work within tight deadlines; Excellent writing skills; Public speaking skills, especially in terms of representing and narrating the organization; Willingness to travel frequently, both nationally and internationally.

Desirable Requirements
Experience in education in Italy or abroad; Solid experience in social movements, associations, and political-institutional contexts, with a strategic vision focused on social impact and participatory governance.

What We Offer
The opportunity to join a highly motivated team bound by shared values and vision, in a dynamic, innovative, and stimulating work environment focused on professional and personal growth; A role of responsibility with significant social impact; Experience in an organization closely connected to a global network active in 63 countries, working with international experts and educators; Flexibility in work organization and goal achievement.

Terms and Conditions
Initial employment contract: fixed term for one year. Compensation: competitive salary, based on the candidate’s profile and experience.

How to Apply
Please submit applications by February 28th via email to the following addresses: [emailprotected], [emailprotected], indicating “Candidatura Direttore Generale-CEO” in the subject line, along with a cover letter and your CV in a single PDF document. Please note that both the cover letter and the CV must be written in Italian. For more information about the position, please contact Andrea Pastorelli at 39 340 090 2658.