Description

Executive Director
National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL)

About NAUDL
The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) creates and sustains debate programming in underserved schools and cities that wouldn’t otherwise have them – promoting an activity that sharpens student public speaking and communication skills, empowers them to shape their futures, and encourages their academic and career achievement. Our network believes that every young person deserves the opportunities and transformative benefits of debate, no matter their resources.

Founded in 2004, NAUDL is a national nonprofit that serves as the backbone organization for a network of 20 Urban Debate Leagues in major metropolitan areas across the United States. Together, these leagues provide transformative debate programs to more than 12,000 middle and high school students annually—students who overwhelmingly come from under-resourced communities.

Debate changes the way students see the world and their place in it, making them powerful advocates for a stronger democracy and the progress they want to see for their communities. Debate is more than an extracurricular activity; it is a proven intervention that builds critical thinking, research, and communication skills while fostering confidence and civic engagement. NAUDL’s mission is to amplify youth voices and create pathways to college and career readiness through rigorous, competitive debate. Our work includes supporting local leagues with program development, training, and resources; network data collection; hosting national tournaments and leadership programs; and advocating for policies that expand access to debate for underserved students. NAUDL is the only debate nonprofit to fund peer-reviewed research on the benefits of debate.

Reach and Impact
Given the network’s footprint, students served are often in schools (and homes) with limited resources — populations that were disproportionately affected by the pandemic and their repercussions. Increased responsibilities at home, lack of conducive learning spaces, and unreliable internet access, to name a few, put students and their families at greater risk of falling behind – both economically and academically. As these students endured the challenges that plagued the education landscape over the last few years, NAUDL and its partners were determined to not just sustain, but elevate, debate in innovative ways, so that students still had the opportunity to thrive in this formative activity that is a chosen community and outlet for so many.

Impact Highlights

• Higher Graduation Rates: Debaters in the network are 70% more likely to graduate on time compared to similar non-debaters.
• College Enrollment Rates: Network-wide data indicate 96% of Urban Debate Network seniors plan to attend college.
• Academic Performance: Debaters show significant gains in literacy, critical thinking, and GPA.
• Leadership Development: Sunsetting alumni programs foster career readiness and civic engagement, creating future leaders in diverse fields.

Mission

Advancing debate education in urban public schools to amplify youth voices and to develop confidence for future success.

Vision

NAUDL is a national leader in the debate movement, preparing the next generation to lead and succeed. Through debate, students learn critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. They also discover their passion for learning and become empowered to succeed in the classroom. Our vision is that all youth graduate from high school as engaged civic leaders with expanded college and career opportunities.

The Opportunity

Position:  Executive Director
Location:  Remote
Reporting Relationship:  Chair, Board of Directors
Website:  https://urbandebate.org/

Purpose of the Position
The National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) seeks a visionary and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of impact, growth, and national visibility. This is a unique opportunity to champion a movement that creates access to opportunity for thousands of students in underserved communities through debate—a proven tool for academic achievement, civic engagement, and leadership development. When students engage in debate, they learn and practice skills that prepare them for anything. They excel in school, learn to speak their minds, and become leaders in their communities. NAUDL is constantly pushing for more access to debate where it doesn’t currently exist, because its immense benefits should be open to everyone.

The Executive Director will serve as the public face of NAUDL, cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, corporate partners, and education leaders nationwide. A confident fundraiser and compelling communicator, the ideal candidate will bring a deep commitment to educational equity and a talent for making debate resonate as a transformative force in today’s world.

This role calls for a leader who is both outward-facing and operationally grounded—someone who can inspire innovative programming, expand NAUDL’s reach, and champion its role as a national leader in advancing student voice and opportunity. The Executive Director will play a central role in shaping the future of a dynamic organization and its relevance within the broader educational and civic landscape.

Key Responsibilities
The Executive Director (ED) of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues serves as the chief executive officer of the organization and is the champion of NAUDL’s mission to advance debate education in under-resourced public schools to amplify youth voices and to develop confidence for future success. This role combines executive leadership, operational management, fundraising, and external representation of NAUDL. The ED will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and partner leagues nationwide to advance NAUDL’s mission.

Cultivation, Partnerships, and Brand-Building

• Serve as NAUDL’s chief ambassador, championing the mission to amplify youth voices and advance debate education in under-resourced schools.
• Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with Board priorities; secure transformational gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Leverage a strong network of foundation and philanthropic contacts to expand NAUDL’s reach and resources.
• Represent NAUDL at national conferences, media engagements, and high-profile events; deliver compelling presentations that highlight debate’s impact on academic achievement, civic engagement, and leadership.
• Build strategic alliances with education reform leaders, youth development organizations, and advocacy groups to amplify NAUDL’s influence.
• Travel extensively to engage league partners, donors, and stakeholders; strengthen relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Utilize innovative initiatives such as Sports Debate to enhance visibility and attract new supporters.
• Ensure consistent brand messaging and media presence; act as NAUDL’s primary spokesperson.

Team Leadership

• Hire, develop, and lead a high-performing team; foster a culture of impact-driven leadership.
• Motivate and coach the Leadership Team to achieve ambitious goals; set clear performance metrics and accountability standards.
• Oversee financial management, including budgeting and cash flow, ensuring compliance and sustainability.
• Implement HR best practices and staff development programs to build organizational capacity.

Executive Leadership

• Translate NAUDL’s strategic vision into actionable plans with measurable outcomes; operationalize the strategic plan across all functions.
• Develop and refine annual plans incorporating strategic objectives, staffing, and budgetary requirements.
• Champion national-local collaboration to strengthen fundraising strategies and enhance program quality and innovation.
• Partner with the Board of Directors on governance, strategy, and resource development; support Board recruitment and engagement.
• Provide timely, accurate reporting to enable effective Board decision-making.
• Drive organizational growth through bold, innovative approaches to program expansion and advocacy.

The Candidate
This is a compelling opportunity for a visionary leader with a passion for educational equity and youth development. The Executive Director will serve as a persuasive ambassador for NAUDL—cultivating relationships with donors, partners, and grantmakers across the country. They will elevate the organization’s visibility, positioning NAUDL as a national thought leader in debate education and a champion for student voice.

Internally, the Executive Director will set a clear strategic direction, unify staff around shared goals, and foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and high performance. Externally, they will represent NAUDL with authenticity and conviction, engaging diverse stakeholders while expanding support and deepening impact. The successful candidate will be a confident fundraiser, a natural networker, and a collaborative leader who can steward NAUDL’s mission while guiding its growth and innovation.

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• Proven success in senior executive roles within mission-driven organizations, education reform, youth development, or advocacy environments.
• Experience leading complex organizations with multi-stakeholder networks and national/local partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts and institutional funding; strong foundation and corporate network (e.g., Gates, Walton, Carnegie, Broad).
• Skilled in donor cultivation, grant writing, and strategic partnerships.
• Track record of driving organizational growth, implementing strategic plans, and achieving measurable outcomes.
• Strong financial management and budgeting experience.
• Experience hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teams.
• Skilled in coaching senior leaders and fostering collaborative, inclusive cultures.
• Media-trained and comfortable as the public face of an organization; adept at public speaking and thought leadership.
• Ability to represent NAUDL nationally and build visibility through conferences, media, and partnerships.
• Program evaluation and data-driven decision-making.
• Spanish fluency preferred.
• Knowledge of large, under-resourced metropolitan education systems and challenges.

Success Metrics for Year 1

• Fundraising: Secure at least $500k in new funding from major donors, foundations, and corporate partners and renew existing funding +/- $150k.
• Strategic Planning: Update and implement the strategic plan with clear, measurable outcomes aligned to NAUDL’s mission.
• Network Engagement: Strengthen partnerships with all 20 Urban Debate Leagues and establish at least 1 new strategic alliance with education or advocacy organizations.
• Visibility & Influence: Increase national visibility through media engagements, thought leadership pieces, and conference presentations.
• Organizational Development: Build a high-performing leadership team and establish a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Impact Measurement: Launch or refine systems for program evaluation and reporting, ensuring data-driven insights for donors and stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, education, nonprofit management, public policy, or related field strongly preferred.

Compensation

• The targeted salary for this position is $215,000 - $235,000 and will be commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include PTO for vacation, sick time, and holidays; medical, vision and dental insurance options; parental leave policies; 401k.

Application Process

• Interested and qualified candidates are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter to: NAUDLExecutiveDirector@KornFerry.com