Director of Programs – National Rural Education Association
- Reports to: Executive Director
- Engagement: Full-time independent contractor (1099); open to full-time employee status for the right candidate
- Compensation: $70,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, plus a tiered performance incentive for sponsorships secured
- Location: Remote, US-based
- Travel: Moderate; roughly 4–6 trips a year for NFARE, Hill Day, and select convenings
- Anticipated start: September 1, 2026 (flexible)
- Applications: Due by July 31, 2026
About NREA
The National Rural Education Association is the oldest and largest national organization dedicated to rural education in the United States. Founded in 1907, NREA serves rural educators, school leaders, policymakers, and communities across the country through advocacy, research, professional learning, and convening. We believe rural schools are not smaller versions of larger systems. They are distinct institutions with their own assets, relationships, and realities, and our work is grounded in that belief.
NREA is a growing, mission-driven nonprofit with a lean, remote team. The Executive Director works closely with a national board and a network of state affiliates across the country. This is a fast-moving, high-ownership environment where you’ll have direct access to leadership and real responsibility from day one.
This is a newly created position, which means the person who steps into it will help define what it becomes. If you want to build something from the inside out, this is that opportunity.
About the Role
The Director of Programs provides operational leadership for NREA’s full portfolio of programs and events. You’ll make sure our signature convenings and leadership development initiatives run smoothly, deliver real value to participants, and are funded sustainably, working closely with the Executive Director on program vision, sponsor development, and member experience. This is a hands-on, cross-functional role that blends conference management, program coordination, relationship building, and sponsorship work. The right person is equally comfortable building a run-of-show for a 900-person national conference and sitting across the table from a potential corporate sponsor.
What You’ll Lead
National Forum to Advance Rural Education (NFARE)
Our flagship annual conference, drawing roughly 900 rural education stakeholders from across the country and serving as NREA’s largest revenue event. NFARE calls for full end-to-end conference management: venue contracting and logistics, speaker and session management, exhibitor and sponsor coordination, attendee communications and registration, on-site execution, and post-conference reporting.
National Rural Leader Fellowship
A leadership development program for rural principals. You’ll manage program design and delivery, cohort recruitment and selection, curriculum coordination, and the partner relationships that support the fellowship.
National Rural Superintendent Cohort (Superintendents Academy)
A leadership development convening for rural superintendents, including program planning, facilitator coordination, logistics, and ongoing cohort engagement between sessions.
Women in Rural Leadership Summit
An annual professional learning and networking convening for women in rural education leadership. You’ll manage this summit from design through execution, in coordination with the Executive Director.
Online Offerings and Webinars
A growing catalog of virtual professional learning for NREA members and the broader field, including scheduling, speaker coordination, platform logistics, and member promotion.
Advocacy Boot Camp and Hill Day
An annual federal advocacy convening that brings rural educators and leaders to Washington, D.C. to engage members of Congress and their staff on rural education policy. You’ll manage event logistics, participant preparation, partner coordination, and follow-up.
What You’ll Do
Conference and event management
- Own end-to-end planning and execution of NFARE and all NREA convenings: timeline management, budget oversight, venue and vendor contracting, speaker logistics, attendee communications, on-site coordination, and post-event reporting.
- Develop and maintain detailed project plans, run-of-show documents, and budget trackers for each program and event.
- Manage vendor relationships, including venues, AV, catering, and registration platforms.
- Ensure a high-quality participant experience at every touchpoint, from registration through follow-up.
Sponsorship development and fulfillment
- Partner with the Executive Director to identify, cultivate, and close sponsorships that fund NREA programs throughout the year.
- Take initiative on new sponsor relationships, including prospecting, proposal development, and outreach.
- Manage sponsor fulfillment from contract through delivery, making sure every benefit is executed and documented.
- Develop post-event sponsor impact reports that support retention and renewal.
- Coordinate sponsor recognition, signage, and visibility with NREA marketing support.
Program development and engagement
- Work with the Executive Director to design and refine learning experiences that center rural contexts and serve rural educator needs.
- Track participation, outcomes, and feedback across programs, and use that data to drive continuous improvement.
- Contribute accurate, timely program data to grant reporting and board communications.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for participants, fellows, and attendees, and build relationships with affiliate leaders and partners that support program delivery and growth.
What We’re Looking For
You’re likely a strong fit if you bring:
- Five or more years in program, conference, or association management, ideally in a nonprofit or education context.
- A track record of managing multi-day national or regional convenings, including full-cycle logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships.
- Experience with sponsorship development or partnership management: prospecting, proposals, and fulfillment.
- Strong project management skills and the ability to run multiple programs and deadlines at once without losing the detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication with sponsors, speakers, funders, and partners.
- Comfort working independently in a lean, remote environment with high autonomy and accountability.
- Proficiency with CRMs, event and virtual meeting platforms, and standard productivity software; experience with Cvent or a similar registration platform is a plus.
- A genuine commitment to rural education and an understanding of the realities rural educators navigate.
Preferred but not required:
- Experience with national membership associations or professional organizations.
- Familiarity with federal education policy and advocacy, particularly as it relates to rural schools.
- Experience managing leadership development programs, fellowships, or cohort-based learning.
- Deep familiarity with rural education, rural communities, or place-based contexts.
Compensation
- Base compensation of $70,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience and engagement structure (contractor or employee).
- A tiered, end-of-year sponsorship incentive based on sponsorships you directly source and secure. Tiers and percentages are set collaboratively at hire and scaled to annual sponsorship goals, creating a real opportunity to grow your total compensation.
- All required travel is reimbursed per NREA policy. Candidates interested in employee status may also be eligible for benefits, discussed individually during hiring.
Work Environment
NREA operates as a fully remote organization. This is a home-based role requiring a reliable internet connection and a professional workspace. You’ll work in close partnership with the Executive Director and coordinate with contracted marketing and accounting support. Travel is expected for NFARE (typically October), Hill Day (spring, in Washington, D.C.), and additional convenings as needed; most travel is domestic and planned well in advance. This is a high-ownership role: you’ll manage your own time, drive your own deadlines, and be accountable for results across a diverse portfolio. If you do your best work when you can build something end-to-end and see it through, this role is designed for you.
How to Apply
NREA is committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the rural communities we serve. We strongly encourage applicants from rural backgrounds and those with lived experience in rural education.
To apply, send the following to Melissa@nrea.net with the subject line Director of Programs Application:
- A resume or CV.
- A cover letter describing your interest in NREA’s mission, your relevant program and event management experience, and what you’d bring to this newly created role.
- Two professional references who can speak to your event or program management experience.
Applications must be received by July 31, 2026. Candidates selected to advance will take part in two rounds of interviews; the second round may be conducted in person, and NREA covers travel costs for any in-person interview.
NREA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
