Chief Operating Officer and head of Business Development

The Ideal Candidate Profile
ACCEL Academy is seeking a motivated, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven leader to serve as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Development. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is passionate about improving educational outcomes for students in Mobile, Alabama, and energized by the opportunity to help a growing charter school strengthen its operations, visibility, partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

Serving as a trusted right hand to the Superintendent, this individual will work closely with school leadership on a wide range of strategic and hands-on priorities. The role requires someone who can move comfortably between operational projects and outward-facing initiatives, bring structure to complex work, connect ideas and people, and take ownership from concept through execution in a fast-paced environment.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator, relationship builder, and “dot connector” who can engage internal teams and external stakeholders with credibility and enthusiasm. This person will help shape and communicate a cohesive ACCEL Academy brand while expanding the school’s network of community partners, donors, sponsors, employers, and advocates.

The ideal candidate will bring:

A deep commitment to ACCEL Academy’s mission and to expanding opportunities and outcomes for students in Mobile.

A proactive, resourceful approach, with the judgment and initiative to identify needs, solve problems, and advance priorities with limited direction.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to represent the school effectively across diverse audiences.

A demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships, connect people and opportunities, and cultivate productive partnerships.

Strong organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and shift between strategic planning and hands-on execution.

Experience or strong aptitude in operations, business development, community engagement, fundraising, sponsorships, marketing, communications, or brand management.

The ability to lead a holistic approach to the ACCEL Academy brand, including website ownership, marketing materials, storytelling, public visibility, fundraising programs, and sponsorship opportunities.

A collaborative, low-ego leadership style and the discretion, adaptability, and follow-through required to serve as a trusted partner to the Superintendent.

Position Overview
ACCEL Academy is seeking a Chief Operating Officer and Head of Business Development to expand career opportunities for students and strengthen financial support for the school.

The role focuses on:

Building partnerships with businesses and industries to create student internships, apprenticeships, and career pathways; tracking outcomes after graduation.

Strengthening community visibility and relationships to support both student career opportunities and financial sustainability.

Leading fundraising initiatives, including events, sponsorships, major gifts, planned giving, and donor cultivation by engaging corporations, organizations, faith communities, volunteers, and individual donors.

Coordinating fund development and public relations efforts with school leadership and the Board.

The COO and Head of Business Development will report progress to the Superintendent and Board and must excel in relationship-building, communication, and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

Translate the Superintendent’s Vision into Actionable Plans:

Align organizational initiatives and daily operations with the Superintendent’s vision, ensuring that strategic priorities are translated into measurable goals and actionable outcomes.

Work collaboratively with the Superintendent to develop and execute a comprehensive three-to-five-year strategic action plan that establishes clear priorities, measurable objectives, timelines, and accountability measures.

Strengthen Recruitment and Retention Strategies: Collaborate with Human Resources to develop, enhance, and implement effective recruitment and retention marketing strategies that attract highly qualified personnel and promote employee satisfaction and long-term commitment.

Develop and Implement Strategic Outreach Plans: Promote Accel’s mission to industry partners, parents, and the broader community, establishing ACCEL Academy as a reliable workforce pipeline for local and regional employers.

Build and maintain strong partnerships with businesses and industries that create internships, apprenticeships, and career pathways for students. Collaborate with employers to design and support work-based learning experiences that align with student career goals and industry workforce needs.

Consistently plan, coordinate, and facilitate monthly Lunch-and-Learn sessions that promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous organizational improvement through stakeholder connection.

Design and execute recruitment initiatives that effectively communicate the value of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and course offerings to all Accel students, beginning at the earliest stages of their educational journey.

Serve as a liaison between students, staff, and industry partners to ensure successful placements and long‑term relationships.

Track and report student career outcomes (employment, apprenticeships, further training) for at least one year post‑graduation.

Develop and Implement an Annual Resource Development Plan: Develop and implement strategies for donors and prospects across all constituent groups; provide progress reports to the Board.

Identify and pursue new corporate, foundation, and community funding opportunities aligned with the organization’s Strategic Plan.

Plan, coordinate, and gain approval for fundraising events; manage sponsors, corporate partners, and donor portfolios.

Oversee donor cultivation, including solicitation, pledge management, acknowledgements, and re‑engagement of lapsed donors.

Ensure compliance with grant requirements, accurate donor records, and timely reporting.

Host donor and sponsor appreciation events; lead annual giving campaigns and other fundraising initiatives.

Demonstrate Flexibility and Professional Commitment: Maintain flexibility in scheduling and responsibilities while ensuring attendance and active participation in all required meetings at designated times. Demonstrate professionalism, preparedness, and a commitment to organizational priorities.

Qualifications
Required

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, Fundraising, Education, or related field

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Preferred

Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills.

Ability to build and maintain long‑term relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community partners.

Skilled at public speaking and presentations with tact and persuasiveness.

Detail‑oriented, adaptable, and effective under pressure.

Proven success in securing and closing major gifts.

Proficiency in donor databases, Microsoft Office, and project management tools (e.g., Monday.com).

Candidates will be evaluated in accordance with their qualifications as well as professional accomplishments with an emphasis on adherence to the application process.

The community and students we serve are diverse, and we are committed to reflecting that diversity in our staff. We strive to have the most diverse applicant pool possible. Thus, we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for any position at ACCEL Day and Evening
Academy. By fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we provide the best educational experience to prepare our students for a future reflective of the world in which we live.

ACCEL does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the network are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.

Alabama school boards are required by state law to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees by using the federal E-Verify program. New employees are required to provide a Social Security number, an unexpired identity document that contains a photograph, and other acceptable documents that establish employment eligibility. In addition to determining whether a new hire is authorized to work in the United States, E-Verify will confirm that the employee's name and Social Security number match.

All applicants must pass a background check through the Alabama State Department of Education to be eligible for employment.

Terms
Twelve (12) month, 240-day contract with salary established by the Board in terms of the Administrative Provisions and based on experience and qualifications.

Salary
Open

Benefits
Full‑time employees receive health benefits through the Alabama Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP) and retirement benefits through the Alabama Teacher Retirement System (TRS).

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