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READ 718 is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the childhood literacy gap. Through one-on-one, low or no cost tutoring, we help children build strong reading skills and boost their confidence.
About the Organization READ 718 is rooted in the belief that all children in Brooklyn deserve equitable access to high-quality reading instruction. We provide personalized, evidence-based literacy support, pairing each child ("READer") with a trained volunteer tutor for one-on-one reading instruction. Our programs include after-school tutoring at our two community-centered learning centers, remote tutoring, Saturday READing Room programming, and phonics-based instruction for students with decoding challenges through our READ Up model.
Our centers are joyful, relationship-driven community spaces. Families feel welcomed, children feel celebrated, and volunteers feel part of a mission-driven community committed to educational equity.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To close the literacy gap in Brooklyn and ensure that all children — regardless of background — gain confidence and proficiency in reading.
Equity & Inclusion: We serve primarily low-income families, many of whom face systemic barriers in accessing quality literacy education.
Community & Relationships: We believe in building strong relationships — between READers and tutors, and with the broader Brooklyn community.
Evidence-Based Instruction: Our instruction is guided by literacy educators and aligned with systematic, sequential approaches for students who need decoding support.
Organization Website You can learn more about READ 718 at their website.
About the Role What You'll Do The Executive Director (ED) will lead READ 718 into its next phase of growth and impact – one grounded in deep community connection, operational excellence, thoughtful growth, and continued impact on the children and families we serve. The Executive Director role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on operational management. The ED will serve as the organization's external ambassador, lead fundraising and partnerships, inspire volunteers and donors, cultivate an inclusive culture, and ensure program excellence that preserves the "magic" of READ 718's learning spaces.
The ideal candidate brings a joy for working with children, empathy for families, cultural humility, strong storytelling abilities, and comfort toggling between vision and execution.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Organizational Leadership and Management
Provide visionary leadership to the READ 718 team, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and core values
Ensure responsible stewardship of the organization's finances, operations, and human resources
Build, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing and diverse team, including developing leadership among staff
Serve as a trusted liaison between staff and Board, ensuring transparency, healthy communication, and aligned decision‑making
Foster an inclusive, collaborative organizational culture rooted in equity and that embodies READ 718's values
Maintain a visible presence across program sites, modeling a hands‑on approach to leadership
External Leadership and Fundraising
Serve as READ 718's primary ambassador and spokesperson, enhancing the organization's visibility, brand recognition, and credibility
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key strategic partners, such as funders, peer organizations, and community partners
Drive fundraising efforts, with a focus on increasing revenue to support growth in reach and impact
Work closely with the Board to strengthen fundraising and expand the organization's network
Communicate impact through compelling storytelling that honors both "magic and metrics"—the qualitative and quantitative evidence of READ 718's success
Strategic Planning and Execution
Partner with the Board and staff to refine and implement READ 718's strategic plan
Lead data‑driven approaches to evaluate student progress, program effectiveness, and organizational health
Approach future growth with care: building trust and credibility first, assessing needs deeply, and preserving the unique strengths of READ 718's in‑person model
Stay attuned to broader literacy trends, technology developments, and trends in youth learning
Who You'll Work With
You will report to
READ 718 Board of Directors .
You will directly supervise
2‑3 leaders . The READ 718 team is a full‑time staff of 10.
Required Skills and Experience
Deep commitment to READ 718's mission and belief in literacy as a fundamental right
At least 10 years of professional experience, including significant leadership and management experience
Experience working with or alongside literacy, elementary education, early childhood, or youth development; direct experience in literacy is preferred
Track record of successfully fundraising across a variety of revenue streams, ideally including experience generating new sources of support
Strong people management skills with experience building and managing diverse, high‑performing, cohesive teams
Strong strategic and visionary thinking and planning skills
Exceptional communication and relationship building skills; track record of managing partnerships with key funders and community partners
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and resource allocation
Ability to effectively work with a Board of Directors
High‑integrity, transparent, emotionally intelligent leadership style
Entrepreneurial mindset, with an ability to be creative, scrappy, and persistent
Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience integrating these values into organizational practices
Mindsets and Attributes We Value
Joy in working with children and genuine enthusiasm for being present in a learning environment
Cultural humility and empathy, especially when engaging with the children and families we support who may experience systemic inequities
Strong storytelling ability—able to bring data, impact, and human stories to life to donors and stakeholders
Comfort in a strategic and operational hybrid role where no task is too big or too small
Relationship‑centered leadership that mirrors the heart of READ 718's work
Commitment to preserving the "special sauce" of our in‑person centers while evolving the organization thoughtfully
Location and Work Environment READ 718 operates on a hybrid model– the Executive Director will be on site 4 days a week (Monday‑Thursday), with Friday as a remote work day. The Executive Director will spend 2 days a week in each site.
Compensation Salary for this role will be $120,000‑$140,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at READ 718, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, weight, height, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, immigration or citizenship status, disability, an accommodation for a disability or religious practice, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, reproductive health decision‑making, uniformed service, military or veteran status, sexual orientation (including actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality), marital and civil partnership/union status, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, criminal arrest, conviction or conviction record, credit history, protected activity (e.g., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in proceedings covered by the anti‑discrimination statutes), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law (each, a "Protected Characteristic").
This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all employees (including temporary employees and interns). This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.
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About the Organization READ 718 is rooted in the belief that all children in Brooklyn deserve equitable access to high-quality reading instruction. We provide personalized, evidence-based literacy support, pairing each child ("READer") with a trained volunteer tutor for one-on-one reading instruction. Our programs include after-school tutoring at our two community-centered learning centers, remote tutoring, Saturday READing Room programming, and phonics-based instruction for students with decoding challenges through our READ Up model.
Our centers are joyful, relationship-driven community spaces. Families feel welcomed, children feel celebrated, and volunteers feel part of a mission-driven community committed to educational equity.
Mission & Vision
Mission: To close the literacy gap in Brooklyn and ensure that all children — regardless of background — gain confidence and proficiency in reading.
Equity & Inclusion: We serve primarily low-income families, many of whom face systemic barriers in accessing quality literacy education.
Community & Relationships: We believe in building strong relationships — between READers and tutors, and with the broader Brooklyn community.
Evidence-Based Instruction: Our instruction is guided by literacy educators and aligned with systematic, sequential approaches for students who need decoding support.
Organization Website You can learn more about READ 718 at their website.
About the Role What You'll Do The Executive Director (ED) will lead READ 718 into its next phase of growth and impact – one grounded in deep community connection, operational excellence, thoughtful growth, and continued impact on the children and families we serve. The Executive Director role blends strategic leadership with hands‑on operational management. The ED will serve as the organization's external ambassador, lead fundraising and partnerships, inspire volunteers and donors, cultivate an inclusive culture, and ensure program excellence that preserves the "magic" of READ 718's learning spaces.
The ideal candidate brings a joy for working with children, empathy for families, cultural humility, strong storytelling abilities, and comfort toggling between vision and execution.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Organizational Leadership and Management
Provide visionary leadership to the READ 718 team, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and core values
Ensure responsible stewardship of the organization's finances, operations, and human resources
Build, mentor, and inspire a high‑performing and diverse team, including developing leadership among staff
Serve as a trusted liaison between staff and Board, ensuring transparency, healthy communication, and aligned decision‑making
Foster an inclusive, collaborative organizational culture rooted in equity and that embodies READ 718's values
Maintain a visible presence across program sites, modeling a hands‑on approach to leadership
External Leadership and Fundraising
Serve as READ 718's primary ambassador and spokesperson, enhancing the organization's visibility, brand recognition, and credibility
Cultivate and maintain relationships with key strategic partners, such as funders, peer organizations, and community partners
Drive fundraising efforts, with a focus on increasing revenue to support growth in reach and impact
Work closely with the Board to strengthen fundraising and expand the organization's network
Communicate impact through compelling storytelling that honors both "magic and metrics"—the qualitative and quantitative evidence of READ 718's success
Strategic Planning and Execution
Partner with the Board and staff to refine and implement READ 718's strategic plan
Lead data‑driven approaches to evaluate student progress, program effectiveness, and organizational health
Approach future growth with care: building trust and credibility first, assessing needs deeply, and preserving the unique strengths of READ 718's in‑person model
Stay attuned to broader literacy trends, technology developments, and trends in youth learning
Who You'll Work With
You will report to
READ 718 Board of Directors .
You will directly supervise
2‑3 leaders . The READ 718 team is a full‑time staff of 10.
Required Skills and Experience
Deep commitment to READ 718's mission and belief in literacy as a fundamental right
At least 10 years of professional experience, including significant leadership and management experience
Experience working with or alongside literacy, elementary education, early childhood, or youth development; direct experience in literacy is preferred
Track record of successfully fundraising across a variety of revenue streams, ideally including experience generating new sources of support
Strong people management skills with experience building and managing diverse, high‑performing, cohesive teams
Strong strategic and visionary thinking and planning skills
Exceptional communication and relationship building skills; track record of managing partnerships with key funders and community partners
Strong financial management skills, including budgeting and resource allocation
Ability to effectively work with a Board of Directors
High‑integrity, transparent, emotionally intelligent leadership style
Entrepreneurial mindset, with an ability to be creative, scrappy, and persistent
Deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with experience integrating these values into organizational practices
Mindsets and Attributes We Value
Joy in working with children and genuine enthusiasm for being present in a learning environment
Cultural humility and empathy, especially when engaging with the children and families we support who may experience systemic inequities
Strong storytelling ability—able to bring data, impact, and human stories to life to donors and stakeholders
Comfort in a strategic and operational hybrid role where no task is too big or too small
Relationship‑centered leadership that mirrors the heart of READ 718's work
Commitment to preserving the "special sauce" of our in‑person centers while evolving the organization thoughtfully
Location and Work Environment READ 718 operates on a hybrid model– the Executive Director will be on site 4 days a week (Monday‑Thursday), with Friday as a remote work day. The Executive Director will spend 2 days a week in each site.
Compensation Salary for this role will be $120,000‑$140,000.
Equal Employment Opportunity Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at READ 718, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles like braids, locks, and twists, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, weight, height, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, immigration or citizenship status, disability, an accommodation for a disability or religious practice, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, reproductive health decision‑making, uniformed service, military or veteran status, sexual orientation (including actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and asexuality), marital and civil partnership/union status, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, criminal arrest, conviction or conviction record, credit history, protected activity (e.g., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in proceedings covered by the anti‑discrimination statutes), or any other characteristic protected by applicable law (each, a "Protected Characteristic").
This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all employees (including temporary employees and interns). This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and procedures relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr