Job Description

About Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay

Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay (JA) empowers young people to own their economic success through financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education. Through innovative programs and partnerships, JA connects business and education to inspire students to dream big and reach their full potential.

About 3DE by Junior Achievement

3DE by Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming high school education. 3DE was designed with and is implemented in partnership with school districts to make high school more relevant, experiential, and connected to the real world through project-based learning, case methodology, and competency development. Our goal is to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow's economy, providing them with the opportunity for a choice-filled life.

Role Overview: Chief Academic Officer

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is a senior leader responsible for the vision, strategy, and execution of all academic experiences at JA of Tampa Bay. This includes oversight of 3DE by JA, Experiential Learning Centers (BizTown & Finance Park), and classroom- and community-based programming. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CAO leads the Learning Experiences function-one of the organization's three strategic pillars-and works cross-functionally with Development and Operations to ensure programs are impactful, equitable, measurable, and aligned with JA's national learning outcomes.

The CAO drives instructional integrity, innovation, and long-term strategy across delivery models while directly managing key program leaders, including the 3DE Lead. As an experienced educator and systems thinker, the CAO ensures all academic experiences are developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with both student needs and district expectations. This role also plays a key part in strengthening school and community partnerships, supporting educators, and using data to inform strategy and demonstrate impact.

The CAO will focus on scaling high-quality academic programming, cultivating a high-performing and collaborative team culture, and leading with a strong equity lens. This includes aligning systems and processes across teams, building sustainable school and community partnerships, and positioning JA of Tampa Bay as a leader in education innovation. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of instructional design, program leadership, and student-centered learning, with the ability to drive strategic outcomes while remaining grounded in day-to-day program excellence.

Core Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision:
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive academic strategy that integrates 3DE, Experiential Learning Centers, and classroom-based programs into a cohesive and aligned portfolio.
  • Serve as the chief academic advisor to the CEO and Board on matters related to student outcomes, curriculum development, and instructional delivery.
  • Lead innovation and continuous improvement efforts across all program formats, ensuring JA Tampa Bay remains at the forefront of youth education experiences.
• Oversight of 3DE by JA:
  • Supervise and support the VP of 3DE in the successful implementation and scaling of the 3DE model in partnership with school districts.
  • Ensure fidelity to the national 3DE framework while adapting to local market needs and opportunities.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with district leaders, principals, and educators to deepen school engagement and academic outcomes.
  • Oversight of Experiential Learning Centers & K-12 Curriculum Delivery
  • Supervise and support the VP of Experiential Learning Centers, overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of BizTown, Finance Park, and K-12 curriculum delivery.
  • Align program design with JA USA standards and local strategic priorities.
  • Ensure high-quality educator and volunteer experiences that contribute to strong student outcomes.
• Data, Evaluation, & Impact
  • Develop and implement evaluation tools to assess program effectiveness and student impact.
  • Analyze data to inform strategic decisions, improve outcomes, and drive innovation.
  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to tell the story of program success through compelling data and narratives.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead and manage a cross-functional team of program staff, including directors, managers, and instructional leads.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and equity.
  • Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to staff, ensuring excellence and growth.
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Serve as a strategic partner to the Development Team to ensure all programs are fundable, fund-worthy, and well-aligned with donor priorities and impact narratives.
  • Collaborate on grant proposals, impact reports, site visits, and donor-facing events to clearly communicate the value, fidelity, and outcomes of JA programs.
  • Provide program data, stories, and strategic insight to inspire philanthropic investment and deepen donor engagement.
  • Act as a visible and credible liaison to the Board of Directors, offering regular updates on program innovation, fidelity, and student impact.
  • Inspire Board confidence and increased investment of time, talent, and treasure by articulating a compelling vision for JA's academic experiences and their role in shaping the region's future workforce.
  • Participate in external meetings, panels, or partnerships that elevate JA's leadership in education and workforce readiness.
• Resource Stewardship
  • Lead the development of systems and processes for tracking program quality, instructional fidelity, and resource utilization across all learning experiences.
  • Ensure efficient use of human, financial, and operational resources within the Learning Experiences team to maximize student impact and program scalability.
  • Collaborate with the Operations and Development teams to ensure program budgeting, staffing, and scheduling align with strategic priorities and organizational capacity.
  • Provide data and insights that inform resource allocation decisions and support a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Desired Experience

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in education, nonprofit management, or related field strongly preferred
• Leadership & Strategy:
  • A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in education, youth development, or nonprofit program management, with a proven record of leading teams and driving results
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams in mission-driven organizations and influencing stakeholders across sectors
  • Demonstrated ability to use data to inform strategy and communicate impact to funders and partners
  • Strategic thinker with a passion for innovation, collaboration, and systems-level impact
• Educational Expertise
  • Deep knowledge of instructional design, educational equity, and experiential learning models
  • Experience with public school systems and a strong understanding of district dynamics and accountability measures
  • Experience scaling educational programs or models across multiple sites or regions
• Proficient in the Use of Technology & Exceptional Written/Verbal Communication & Interpersonal Skills:
  • Track record of building partnerships with school districts, business leaders, and community stakeholders
  • Exceptional communication, presentation, organization, and public speaking skills with experience adapting style based on the needs and perspectives of the audience
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, E-Learning technologies, alumni databases, volunteer databases, etc.

Job Details

• Location: Tampa Bay, FL
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Salary Range: $130,000; commensurate with experience
• Reports To: President & CEO of Junior Achievement Local Office
• Supervises: All Academic Experience Staff (3DE, Experiential Learning Centers)

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