About National Speech & Debate Association

The Organization

The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is the preeminent organization in the United States supporting speech and debate programs in K-12 education. We are guided by the belief that civil dialogue based on evidence-informed argumentation, active listening, and effective communication is critical to a healthy and prosperous society. This is true now more than ever. Speech and debate also have tremendous academic benefits. Multiple studies and thousands of alumni share that participation helped them improve grades and test scores and matriculate to college at higher levels.

Founded as a speech and debate honor society to provide national recognition for local participation, the NSDA now provides programs and services to connect, support, and inspire young people to reach their potential through speech and debate. The NSDA currently supports more than 120,000 students at over 3,000 schools by providing competitive standards and topics and essential training materials for teachers, students, and judges. These programs and services throughout the year support students' paths towards National Tournament participation at the conclusion of the season.

As we navigate our Centennial year, we are excited to work towards our goal of a speech and debate program in every high school in the country. With a team of over 30 dedicated staff members, we serve this dynamic and growing network of members through high-quality programs and services.

The Opportunity

The Director of School Recruitment plays a central role in the NSDA’s strategic growth plan by developing and executing strategies to substantially increase the number of schools nationwide with speech and debate teams. This leader will spearhead efforts to introduce schools and districts to the benefits of speech and debate, with a focus on expanding access for underrepresented communities. The Director of School Recruitment will develop and manage relationships with coaches, parents, school leaders, district administrators, and state associations to double the number of schools with speech and debate teams over the next five years. The core of this job is developing and implementing multiple strategies to convince school leaders to start teams in their districts and schools.

This position requires a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of K–12 education, exceptional relationship management skills, and the ability to align school recruitment with the NSDA’s long-term vision of doubling national participation in speech and debate. The Director of School Recruitment will foster mission-driven partnership-building, leveraging a consultative sales approach. 

The Director of School Recruitment will report to the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, supervise future School Recruitment Managers, and collaborate with NSDA staff to support our schools, coaches, and students.  

Key Responsibilities

• Recruitment & Growth Strategy
• • Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year school recruitment strategy that aligns with the NSDA’s growth goals.
  • Identify, research, and prioritize prospective schools and districts for outreach, with a focus on rural and urban geographies.
  • Design and lead targeted campaigns, presentations, webinars, conference strategies, and events to introduce schools to the benefits of speech and debate, driving the creation of new speech and debate teams. 
  • Set and manage annual recruitment goals, utilizing data-driven strategies to track progress and adjust tactics as needed.
  • Advocate for the value of speech and debate, inspiring educators, administrators, and decision-makers to bring the transformative opportunity to their students.
  • Lead all recruiting efforts, including development, pipeline, implementation, and territory management.

• Relationship Building & Partnerships
• • Serve as the primary liaison for prospective schools and districts, clearly articulating the value of NSDA membership and programming, driving the creation of new teams. Cultivate partnerships with coaches, district leaders, administrators, and education associations to create pathways for school recruitment.
  • Collaborate with state and local speech and debate organizations to enhance regional connections and capitalize on local recruitment opportunities.

• • Collaborate with the Membership team to help new schools ensure a seamless transition from recruitment to engagement.

• Leadership & Management
• • Supervise and support School Recruitment Managers in future years through coaching and professional development to strengthen the recruitment function.
  • Build a collaborative, goal-oriented team culture aligned with NSDA’s values of equity, inclusion, and student empowerment.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• • Work closely with the Marketing & Communications team to create compelling recruitment materials, digital content, and campaigns.
  • Collaborate with the Development team to align school recruitment with fundraising priorities and grant deliverables.
  • Partner with the Competition & Events and Membership teams to ensure that newly recruited schools are fully integrated into the tournament systems, curriculum, and professional development opportunities.

Basic Requirements

• A minimum of 7–10 years of relevant professional experience in successful sales or account management, school partnerships, recruitment, district outreach, and/or school administrator experience.
• Deep knowledge of K–12 school systems, funding cycles, and instructional priorities.
• Demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding recruitment, partnership, and/or growth goals.
• Strong understanding of the middle/high school education landscape, including challenges facing schools in underserved communities.
• Excellent communication, public speaking, and presentation skills, with the ability to inspire school leaders and educators.
• Commitment to the NSDA’s mission, values, and dedication to expanding access for all students.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, field-based role with travel (40%+).

Preferred Requirements

• Successful sales or account management experience in education, EdTech, curriculum publishing, or related work. 
• Strong knowledge of speech and debate events, coaching strategies, and competitive best practices.
• Passion for speech and debate education and a commitment to empowering coaches and students nationwide.
• Experience in nonprofit, supervising, and developing staff.

Pay and Benefits

• $140,000 - $160,000 commensurate with experience.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package including high-quality health and dental insurance, 20 days of paid time off, and access to an employer-matched retirement plan. This is a full-time exempt position.