Senior Vice President, Education Programming (Full-Time)

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer

Department: Global Youth & Education (GYE)

Location: Flexible / Remote

Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org.

Position Summary

The Senior Vice President (SVP), Education Programming leads the global implementation, growth, and quality of Special Olympics International’s (SOI) education and youth initiatives—overseeing programs that empower youth to build inclusive mindsets, behaviors, and communities. This includes oversight of the management, operations, and scaling of Unified Champion Schools (UCS), Youth Leadership, and the Global Center for Inclusion including its Inclusion Academy—the organization’s professional development platform for educators and coaches.

The SVP is responsible for the global design, management, and coordination of education programming across all seven Special Olympics Regions, ensuring quality implementation through strong partnerships with Regional and National Programs. The role requires an ability to bridge global strategy with local action—translating the organization’s inclusive education programming into measurable impact at the school and community level.

As a member of the Global Leadership Team, the SVP provides high-level direction, supports strategic planning, and drives cross-departmental collaboration with Development, Communications, Government Relations, and Global Programs. The position also plays a critical fundraising role, working closely with the CEO and Development leadership to secure and manage multi-year partnerships with corporations, foundations, and multilateral organizations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and improvement of global education programming.
• Oversee curriculum design, training, and technical assistance.
• Manage GYE department including Kaitlyn Hamrick (UCS & Youth Leadership), Salyne El Samarany (Global Center, Inclusion Academy), Ahmad El Gergawi (Partnerships, Outreach, Communications, Global Center), Kimber Goodwin (Finance).
• Identify and secure funding opportunities and steward donor relationships.
• Represent Special Olympics at international events and partnerships.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in education, youth development, or international development.
• Minimum 10 years of leadership in global program design and management.
• Proven success in fundraising and donor relations.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Deep understanding of inclusive education and youth engagement.

• For USA based staff: Special Olympics offers full-time employees a generous and comprehensive benefits package, which includes: medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life insurance, disability, retirement, legal resources, and PTO.

Special Olympics provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

**Special Olympics is an E-Verify Employer**