Careers

Get on board and start your future! Southern Education Foundation, Inc. (SEF), located in Atlanta, Georgia seeks an outstanding candidate to fill our Financial Controller position. For more than 156 years, Southern Education Foundation has made substantial contributions to improving education at all levels, from pre-kindergarten through higher education. SEF works to improve equity, excellence, and opportunity in education nationally. Research, policy analysis, advocacy, and programs are the primary means through which SEF pursues its mission.

The right candidate will be someone committed to the belief that education is the vehicle by which all students have access and opportunities for fair chances to develop their talents and attain school success. The ideal Financial Controller should possess a solid understanding of all aspects of fund accounting and particularly restricted funds.

This position reports to the CFO. To learn more, please visit www.southerneducation.org.

 The Opportunity:

The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. is hiring a Financial Controller to support the overall SEF financial operations. This position will work with all levels and functional areas of the SEF team. The chosen individual will assist in overseeing accounting operations and the financial activities of the organization. This professional should be self-motivated to learn about Southern Education Foundation, Inc. operations, and its strategy for strengthening relationships with donors and partners who support the work and mission.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES:

• Manage all aspects of accounting, financial statements, general ledger, reconciliations, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, tax compliance, and revenue recognition.
• Maintain and enforce all accounting policies and procedures.
• Keep an organized filing system of all statements, transactions, and payments.
• Process payroll accurately and in a timely manner.
• Monitor cash flow, cash forecasts, and investment balances.
• Prepare monthly/annual financial reports and monitor budget and forecasts.
• Maintain chart of accounts.
• Maintain monthly budget reports and monitor all variances.
• Advise on financial analyses and decision-making regarding capital investments, pricing, contract negotiations, significant costs, benchmarks, and other matters with management and the Chief Financial Officer.
• Comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings.
• Maintain accuracy and integrity of financial data in accounting software.
• Direct and ensure grants are recorded according to the appropriate revenue recognition rules.
• Supports the CFO in identifying and reporting financial trends.
• Manage the preparation of the PBC audit schedules and annual financial audit reports i.e. A-133.
• Review financial operations on a continuous basis for automation opportunities and efficiencies to improve financial reporting.
• Maintenance of financial records in compliance with retention policy.
• Performs other controller duties as needed.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance, or in business administration with an emphasis in accounting.
• Possess 5-7 years of progressive accounting work experience in the non-profit sector.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) license is required.
• Proficiency with accounting software.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Preferred experience with accounting software system implementation.
• Exceptional knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting best practices, laws, standards, and state/national regulations.
• Analytical ability to develop and implement improvements or recommendations.
• Highly organized with strict attention to detail.
• Work well with senior executives and team, as well as mentor/lead other team members.
• Commitment to cost containment.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior at all times.
• Excellent computer skills; Microsoft Office Suite products; and preferred knowledge working with Sage/Abila or other fund accounting software is a plus.
• Support equity and excellence for low-income students in the South.

This is a full-time position working Monday-Friday. Compensation for this role begins at $105,000 and is commensurate with experience including a competitive benefits package. SEF is an Atlanta-based organization. SEF is currently working a hybrid schedule where employees work remotely and, in the office, based on the needs of the business.

Interested candidates should submit: 1) a letter of interest 2) a current resume 3) names and contact information of three references to hr@southerneducation.org with Financial Controller in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Southern Education Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. (SEF), located in Atlanta Georgia, seeks an Early Childhood Education Senior Fellow to direct SEF’s emerging early childhood education initiative. Founded in 1867, SEF’s mission is to advance equity and excellence in education for all students in the South, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. SEF uses advocacy, leadership development, research, and strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations to improve outcomes in early childhood through early adulthood. SEF believes education is the vehicle by which all students get fair chances to develop their talents and contribute to the common good. For more than 156 years, SEF has also substantially improved opportunities for young learners and students from birth through 16.  

The ideal Early Childhood Education Senior Fellow candidate will possess a robust understanding of prenatal, infant, childcare, pre-K, and other Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs and policies. The candidate must also have a history of effectively advocating for ECE policies at the local, state, or federal level.  

This position reports to the Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy.

The ECE Senior Fellow will elevate SEF’s portfolio of work to improve and increase support for young children in the South. This person will manage SEF’s ECE overall strategy and portfolio of work. In coordination with SEF’s Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, the ECE Senior Fellow’s primary responsibility will be to direct the Southern Early Childhood Education Justice (SECEJ) network, a new SEF-sponsored, multi-year, multi-state initiative that seeks to improve state and federal policies and make transformative educational improvements for the region’s youngest children of color. The ECE Senior Fellow will provide internal and external leadership for the SECEJ project, coordinate efforts with associated partner organizations, and provide technical assistance to a growing network of ECE advocates and policy partners.  

The ECE Senior Fellow will bolster SEF’s early childhood agenda by responding to the region’s most pressing policies and challenges by learning from and listening to partners, analyzing, and understanding relevant data and research, and determining when conditions are ripe for shifts in state and federal policies. The ECE Senior Fellow will also work collaboratively across the organization with other SEF leaders, such as the Director of Research and Policy, early learning staff members, and partner organizations, on strategy and the execution of workplans. 

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Lead a state and national network of early childhood education advocates to advance racial equity in the early childhood education sector. 
• Perform data analysis and coordinate community-based advocacy bootcamps. 
• Develop or coordinate a series of policy briefs and ECE related fact sheets.  
• Assist in the development of advocacy tactics tailored to six southern states and support the work of other network partners. 
• Develop a regional early childhood education advocacy agenda in collaboration with national and state-based partners. 
• Disseminate ECE data, research, and advocacy opportunities across communities, families, schools, ECE programs, and with other key partners. 
• Serve as a regional ECE leader and identify new opportunities to expand equity in early childhood education throughout the South.
• Connect and collaborate with other ECE organizations, forging strong external relationships that benefit young children and their families. 
• Provide guidance and advising on policy, build connections with policymakers, and work collaboratively across disciplines and with multiple partners. 
• Develop network programming, meeting agendas, and other relevant collateral to facilitate network convenings, and lead other capacity-building discussions with a diverse set of partners online and in-person. 
• Draft memos and grant-related reports, as needed, including midpoint, annual, and final summaries along with other associated materials for funders. 
• Educate SEF staff on key ECE issues, including notable benchmarks for improvement and collaborate with colleagues to align cross-sectional areas of work. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• A Master’s degree is strongly preferred in a related field such as early childhood development/education, public policy, public health, or a related social science field. A Bachelor’s degree is required.  
• Have a documented history of successfully managing state or federal ECE campaigns. 
• Possess government advocacy experience and an understanding of local, state, and federal policies that impact and govern ECE. 
• Have seven or more years of experience leading ECE or K-12 education advocacy efforts, conducting policy analysis, and leading advocacy coalitions.   
• Possess a deep commitment to educational equity and improving systems to support all children, but especially children of color and those who live in low-income households.   
• Demonstrate knowledge of the ECE policy landscape and key political factors, with a specific focus on program affordability, quality, workforce preparation, and retention. 
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the child development field.  
• Possess substantial knowledge of state and federal ECE policies and programs. 
• Demonstrate the capacity to translate ideas into action. 
• Possess excellent written, oral, and digital communication skills, great interpersonal skills, and the ability to distill and explain complex information to a variety of audiences and partners.  
• Have experience with private grants, grants administration, monitoring, and reporting requirements, along with tracking contracts and agreements. 
• Have stellar project management skills and the ability to facilitate the work of multiple teams, prioritizing competing demands in a fast-changing and highly collaborative environment. 
• Candidates should be able to organize and prioritize their workload effectively, complete multiple assignments, and meet various deadlines. 
• Advanced skills in Excel/Google Sheets, Word/Google Docs, PowerPoint/Google Slides, comfortable using database software applications, online data-collection systems, and remote video-conferencing via Zoom and Microsoft Teams. 
• Experience working independently and collaboratively with other staff members while displaying a positive demeanor. 
• Exhibit sensitivity to and respect for differences in personal, professional, and business relationships on behalf of SEF. 
• Have comfort with ambiguity and a sense of humor while exhibiting grace under pressure. 
• Effectively communicate and embody the values, beliefs, purpose, and equity-focused mission of SEF as an organization. 
• Effectively advocate for increased access to affordable, high-quality early learning environments for young children and increased pay and benefits for the ECE workforce. 
• Possess significant professional experience in the public, academic, and nonprofit sectors. 
• Fundraising experience and the skills to contribute to the program’s long-term financial sustainability and growth. 

This is a full-time position working Monday – Friday. Compensation for this role begins at $80,000 and is commensurate with experience including a competitive benefits package. This is a grant-funded position with funding currently in place for three years. Extending the position will depend on raising additional project funding beyond 2026. The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. is an Atlanta-based organization. SEF is currently working a hybrid schedule where employees work remotely and, in the office, based on the needs of the organization.  

Interested candidates should submit: 1) a letter of interest 2) a current resume 3) names and contact information of three professional references to hr@southerneducation.org with Early Childhood Education Senior Fellow in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  

The Southern Education Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. (SEF), located in Atlanta Georgia seeks a Technical Assistance Lead for the Equity Assistance Center-South. For more than 156 years, Southern Education Foundation has made substantial contributions to improving education at all levels; from pre-kindergarten through higher education for low-income and students of color in the southern states. SEF works to improve equity, excellence, and opportunity in education nationally. Research, policy analysis, advocacy, and programs are the primary means through which Southern Education Foundation pursues its mission.

The Equity Assistance Center-South works in the areas of civil rights, equity, and school reform to help ensure that equitable educational opportunities are available and accessible for all children. EACs provide technical assistance and training upon request, in the areas of race, sex, national origin, and religion to public school districts, school boards, state and local education agencies, and other governmental agencies to promote equitable education opportunities.

This position will report to the Director, EAC-South Region II.

The Technical Assistance (TA) Lead oversees a variety of projects within the Equity Assistance Centers including providing design, instruction, and project management expertise. The TA Lead is responsible for building and maintaining the EAC-South’s portfolio of technical assistance work and supporting related activities like needs sensing, relationship building, and federal reporting. You will oversee cross-functional teams across SEF and partner with organizations who will be asked to provide training and technical assistance at the invitation of school boards and other governmental agencies on issues of equity related to race, national origin, sex, or religion. Such technical assistance is designed to improve and sustain a public education system’s capacity to address issues occasioned by desegregation and inequities and increase equitable opportunities for all students. This position will forge and expound upon partnerships that align with the mission of the EAC and of Southern Education Foundation, Inc.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Apply human-centered design principles and continuous improvement framework to help state, local education agencies, and educators unpack and address the challenges they face.
• Use evidence-based research to create self-paced modules, courses, and other online content that cover issues under the four desegregation areas (race, national origin, sex, or religion).
• Develop and maintain project plans, communicating project status to internal and external teams, and supporting decision making and execution to meet project goals and timeline.
• Work with the Evaluation lead to ensure that data collection and assessed outcomes are tied to project goals.
• Collaborate with project leads to understand and discuss the scope of various projects.
• Assess the needs of partners and collaboration with education constituents.
• Co-create and maintain a fully accessible, responsive regional website with an online repository containing resources including but not limited to, research syntheses, rubrics, briefs, training manuals, newsletters, webinars, and other TA tools and products.
• Provide remote and in-person expert consultation or training to address equity issues including but not limited to reducing implicit bias, improving cultural competencies, implementing nondiscriminatory policies to prevent and counter prejudice and insensitivity and creating safe and supportive learning environments that are free from harassment, bullying, teasing, and hate crimes based on race, national origin, sex, or religion for groups of educators, coaches, school, district, and state leadership.
• Provide training at conferences designed to improve the ability of teachers, supervisors, counselors, parents, community members, community organizations, and other elementary or secondary school personnel to deal effectively with special educational problems occasioned by desegregation.
• Present confidently about effective strategies for change management and capacity building and bringing both innovative and proven solutions to common challenges in K-12 education.
• Establish as appropriate, communities of practice (CoP) and peer-to-peer exchanges on equity topics which could include managing cohort or project-based leadership academies or implementing a series of professional development activities to respond to regional requests by school boards and other responsible governmental agencies.
• Assist school boards and other responsible governmental agencies in conducting needs assessments, including equity audits, and developing comprehensive implementation plans and policies for addressing issues under the desegregation areas (race, national origin, sex, or religion).
• Assist school boards and other governmental agencies in advancing district desegregation efforts by engaging in community asset mapping including but not limited to coordinating with State and local entities in order to implement effective methods of coping with special education problems occasioned by desegregation.
• If requested by school boards or other governmental agencies, collaborate with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other federal agencies, as appropriate, to provide TA to school boards and other responsible governmental agencies that support compliance with federal civil rights laws and address civil rights, desegregation, and equity issues, including working directly with local educational agencies (LEAs) that are implementing Resolution Agreements.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• A master’s degree in education or a related field required. Doctorate degree preferred.
• Five years of technical experience in an educational environment.
• Knowledge of the Technical Assistance processes and theory.
• Experience coaching and managing individuals or teams is required.
• Demonstrates a high level of comfort with technology, with experience using technology in an educational context preferred.
• Experience as an evaluator, as a project researcher or analyst, or in coordinating with an evaluator around technical assistance work.
• Manage multiple, complex projects simultaneously, and can navigate ambiguity to achieve exceptional outcomes.
• Exceptional skills as a communicator and synthesizer.
• Demonstrates a high level of comfort with technology, with experience using technology in an educational context preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 30-50%.
• Excellent writing skills and deliverable creation and review experience.
• Exceptional people skills understanding that this position will require working with teams across many partner organizations as part of the TA team.
• The ability to demonstrate grace under pressure and to prioritize tasks effectively.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Knowledge of education sector, with 5+ years of experience leading projects and/or a team of educators in a school or district environment.
• Prior experience working with federal education grants.
• Demonstrated experience managing and/or conducting quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed methods research.
• Knowledge of research methods and familiarity with statistical analysis packages and other research tools.

This is a full-time position working Monday – Friday. Compensation for this role will start at $100,000 with a competitive benefits package. The Southern Education Foundation is an Atlanta-based organization. Atlanta-based candidates are preferred. SEF is currently working a hybrid schedule where employees work remotely and, in the office, based on the needs of the business.

Interested candidates should submit: 1) a letter of interest 2) a current resume 3) names and contact information of three references to hr@southerneducation.org with Technical Assistance (TA) Lead in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Southern Education Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Southern Education Foundation (SEF), in Atlanta, GA, seeks a Leadership Development Program Associate to join our leadership development team and further the mission and goals of SEF.

For more than 150 years, SEF has made substantial contributions to improving education at all levels, from pre-kindergarten through higher education. SEF works to improve equity and excellence in education for low-income students and students of color in the South. SEF is also committed to improving equity, excellence, and opportunity in education nationally. Research, policy analysis, advocacy, and programs are the primary means through which SEF pursues its mission. Candidates should be able to effectively communicate and embody the values, beliefs, purpose, and mission of the organization.

The Leadership Development Program Associate reports to the Director of Leadership Development. To learn more, please visit www.southerneducation.org.

The Opportunity:

The ideal candidate is dedicated to the advancement of a comprehensive, proactive leadership development strategy that furthers the mission and goals of SEF, purposed to advance creative solutions, and ensure equity and excellence in education for low-income students and students of color in the south. The position will be a critical support to the Director, Leadership Development assisting in enhancing annual programming, executing key initiatives, and supporting the ongoing professional growth of fellowship participants and alumni. Candidates interested in this position should have working knowledge and genuine interest in improving educational opportunity across the P-16 continuum and have experience working to ensure that education is the vehicle by which all students get fair chances to develop their talents and contribute to the common good.

 

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Assist with leadership development offerings, including curriculum scope and sequence of the program, and programmatic outcomes.

· Provide thought partnership to the Director, Leadership Development and offer innovative ideas to enhance the leadership development strategy.

· Support the coordination of all fellowship logistics.

· Curate relevant resources, documents, and materials for partners, fellows, alumni, and staff.

· Support and manage social media, web conferencing, and other meeting/document sharing platforms.

· Prepare general correspondence, emails, agendas, transcribe meeting minutes, memos, summaries, presentations, reports, and other materials with exceptional proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and using Google suite.

· Support in monitoring, tracking, and responding to grant processing, consultant agreements, proposals, invoices, credit card reports, report submissions, and other documents as requested.

· Proofread documents, reports, and publications for accuracy and clarity.

· Prepare travel arrangements, travel itineraries, and manage expense reporting.

· Plan meetings, which includes coordinating and organizing meeting logistics, securing program venue(s), program materials, providing applicable research and follow up; attend meetings with/in the absence of the Director, Leadership Development as requested.

· Acts as a resource and liaison for grantees, consultants, organizational partners, prospective fellows, and internal staff.

· Additional duties as assigned.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

· A bachelor’s degree is required in education, public policy, or a related field.

· Two – four years’ experience in program administration and/or working within an educational setting.

· Excellent oral, written, and electronic communication skills aiding the ability to cultivate professional relationships with fellowship participants, partners, and vendors.

· Candidates should be able to organize and prioritize workload to effectively complete multiple assignments.

· Have experience reviewing and tracking grants, contracts, and agreements.

· Interact professionally with diverse audiences and external partners.

· Possess a strong work ethic, upbeat demeanor, work independently, and willingness to collaborate with a variety of colleagues, partners, and vendors.

· Collaborative communicator with a strong team spirit and comfort with ambiguity.

· Maintain a commitment to sensitivity and respect in all personal and professional interactions.

· Ability to travel occasionally to support strategy and larger organizational needs.

· Effectively communicate and embody the value, beliefs, purpose, and mission of SEF.

This is a full-time position working Monday – Friday. The compensation range for this position is $55,000 – $65,000 and is commensurate with experience including a competitive benefits package. The Southern Education Foundation, Inc. is an Atlanta-based organization. SEF is currently working a hybrid schedule where employees work remotely and, in the office, based on the needs of the business.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to hr@southerneducation.org with ‘Leadership Development Program Associate’ in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with priority given to early submissions. The desired start date for this position is mid-August. Early application is strongly encouraged.

The Southern Education Foundation (SEF) seeks a dedicated communications professional with at least three to five years of experience to help us further the mission and goals of SEF.

For more than 150 years, SEF has made substantial contributions to improving education at all levels, from pre-kindergarten through higher education. SEF works to improve equity and excellence in education for low-income students and students of color in the South. SEF works to improve equity, excellence, and opportunity in education nationally. Research, policy analysis, advocacy, and programs are the primary means through which SEF pursues its mission. Candidates should be able to effectively communicate and embody the values, beliefs, purpose, and mission of the organization.

The Communications Manager reports to the Director of the EAC-South.

The Communications Manager will execute strategic communication efforts as a key member of the EAC-South team. This role requires an energetic, collaborative, and responsive self-starter with a passion for writing and a desire to tell the work and impact of the EAC-South and its region. This role will help drive the EAC-South’s internal and external communication initiatives including planning and implementation.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop comprehensive communication plans for the EAC-South.
• Prepare and manage website content,presentations, blogs, newsletters, social media content, surveys, and post videos from events.
• Performs basic coding, editing, and maintenance for SEFs websites when necessary.
• Manage outreach and promotion for EAC-South online events including webinars and instructional content using digital marketing tools social media, and email.
• Support other meeting facilitation needs for meetings online and in person.
• Provide WebEx, Zoom, Teams, and other web conferencing technical support services for training and communication efforts.
• Recommend and implement new digital tools to manage multiple social media channels and contribute to project management and scheduling.
• Conduct basic research for EAC-South, clients, and cultivating resources to support pre-K-12 educators and education leaders.
• Work with the communications staff to further improve storytelling and outreach on key areas of work and policy issues.
• Create flyers, fact sheets, social media content, and PowerPoint templates when necessary.
• Serve as a liaison with organizational partners on specific initiatives and with colleagues at the Equity Assistance Center and support teams.
• Monitor trends and audience engagement and analyze our web, social media, and email outreach to gauge effectiveness and reach.
• Assist with the planning and scheduling of communication meetings and editorial calendars.
• Complete other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in marketing, public relations, communications, or a related field.
• 3 – 5 years or more experience performing similar tasks.
• Excellent communicator with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of basic digital tools (Hootsuite, WordPress,Zoom,MailChimp, Canva, YouTube, Smartsheet, Survey Monkey, etc).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products and MS Outlook.
• Project Management experience.
• Strong organizational skills, work ethic, and willingness to collaborate with and across teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or demonstrated interest in education in the South, civil rights, racial justice, and equity.

This is a full-time position working Monday – Friday. Compensation for this position begins at $70,000 and is commensurate with experience including a competitive benefits package. This is a grant-funded position with funding in place until 2027. An extension of this position will depend on additional fundraising. The Southern Education Foundation is an Atlanta-based organization. SEF is currently working a hybrid schedule where employees work remotely and, in the office, based on the needs of the business.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to hr@southerneducation.org with Communications Manager in the subject line of the email. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Southern Education Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.