Chief Executive Officer

Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK), a professional association for educators, seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization. Founded in 1906, PDK International is a 501(c)(3) charitable association with a rich history of supporting educators and others in K-12 and higher education. Historically, PDK has provided professional learning opportunities, targeted networking, and relevant research to help researchers and practitioners deepen their expertise, elevate their careers, and experience enhanced work results throughout their careers. Today, its targeted mission is to inspire and grow current and rising educators to become community leaders and advocates for high-quality education for all students. The next CEO will join PDK International in a changing educational landscape, providing strategic leadership as the organization grows the impact of its existing programs and seeks the means to amplify its mission with new products and services.

PDK International is deeply invested in growing and developing the next generation of educators through Educators Rising (EdRising), a vibrant career and technical student organization (CTSO) with over 20,000 student members across 38 states. PDK also publishes Kappan magazine, an influential publication featuring articles about classroom practices, policy, research, professional issues, and innovations in education. PDK is further known for the PDK Poll, which, for over 50 years, has been a reliable resource for families, education professionals, researchers, and policymakers. PDK’s family of education associations includes the original member and namesake, Phi Delta Kappa, and Pi Lambda Theta (PLT). Together, these two associations, in addition to EdRising, support the full spectrum of the education profession. A recent addition to the PDK membership levels is PDK Prestige, an exclusive, complimentary membership to honor currently practicing educators who have been recognized by their school, district, state, or professional organization for exceptional dedication and impact.

The next CEO, working closely with PDK’s staff and board of directors, will implement the organization’s three-part strategic plan to grow the impact of existing programs, seek new growth opportunities, and cultivate PDK International as a great place to work. The CEO will champion an entrepreneurial culture characterized by innovation and data-driven risk-taking to ensure the organization continues to adapt to an increasingly competitive landscape. They will seek and develop partnerships with other education-focused organizations, working to understand and respond to key needs of the marketplace and determine how PDK can realize its greatest impact. Harnessing the organization’s core assets — Educators Rising, Kappan magazine, and the PDK Poll — the new CEO will promote a clear identity for PDK by championing what it does, why, and for whom. This will require fostering an innovative, nimble, entrepreneurial, and results-oriented culture.

The organization has a physical presence in the Washington, D.C. area but operates as a primarily remote organization with staff working from a variety of approved locations. While the CEO is not required to live in the D.C. area, it is expected that the CEO and the PDK staff will meet in person on a regular cadence.

PDK has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of the chief executive officer. Please direct all inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications in strict confidence below.

Sean Farrell is leading this search with Janette Martinez and Drew Chang. 

Phi Delta Kappa International is an equal-opportunity employer.