PRIMARY FUNCTION:  The Executive Director of Schools provides strategic leadership and support to principals and school leadership teams across the district to ensure consistent, high-quality educational experiences for all students. This role is responsible for coaching school leaders, aligning school improvement efforts with district priorities, and fostering a culture of academic excellence and equity. The Executive Director works collaboratively with district departments to ensure that instructional practices, operational systems, and school climates support student success. The goal of this position is to improve student achievement by cultivating effective leadership, promoting instructional best practices, and creating strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership

• The selection and performance evaluation of immediate staff assigned

• Collaborate with others to make recommendations for the employment, assignment, transfer of principals and assistant principals and the training, performance evaluation and professional growth of those individuals

• Provide leadership as a member of a collaborative team to connect departments within the district to campuses for improved student achievement

• Coordinate and ensure the successful integration of evidence-based strategies to support the growth of all campuses

• Assist building principals through a program of continuous assessment for the purpose of school improvement and monitor the progress of schools towards established goals

• Plans and leads high-quality and relevant learning experiences for administrators to guide the implementation of effective instructional programs

Coaching and Support

• Conducts regular formal and informal classroom walk-throughs aligned to student achievement and strategic goals

• Provides feedback on successful leadership practices, such as effective management of instructional staff, use of data, and the establishment of school culture

• Compile, interpret and communicate data to determine school needs and inform instruction and systems management

• Attends school-based meetings and events to foster a culture of engagement with staff, families, and the community

• Builds the instructional leadership capacity of principals with a particular focus on instruction, data analysis, aligned interventions, community, and culture

• Visits schools on a regular basis to monitor day-to-day operations

• Assists district staff and site personnel in interpreting student test scores and recommending prescriptive materials and techniques to improve student performance.

Management, Operations and Compliance

• Participates in staff and other district meetings to maintain alignment between all divisions and the work supporting the development of school leaders.

• Prepares budget, monitors expenditures, and solicits funds to provide financial support for programs.

• Ensures compliance with state/federal regulations and other agencies governing educational programs and services within the assigned area of responsibility.

• Assists in determining staff allocations and hiring needs for positions.

• Recommends resolutions to complaints and grievances by remediating and resolving concerns.

• Performs any other duties as assigned. Responsibilities and tasks outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the district.

As Needed

• May supervise contractors or assigned personnel, provide assistance, conduct annual performance appraisals, and make recommendations for appropriate employment actions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs personnel functions (e.g. interviewing, evaluating, supervising, etc.) to maintain adequate staffing, enhance productivity of

personnel, and achieve objectives within budget. 
 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
 

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Capable of providing both “big picture” strategy while maintaining attention to detail.

• Ability to work across multiple organizational domains to achieve short-term and long-term objectives.

• Ability to anticipate, plan for, and lead organizational change and growth.

• Provide systems-level perspective to align school and district priorities

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Required: 

• Master’s degree or higher from an accredited university required

• At least 3-5 years of K-12 principal experience

• Georgia Department of Education leadership certification 

• Proven success managing people, and maximizing results

• Demonstrates deep knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices

• Knowledge of current trends in best practices in school improvement, leadership development

• Other education or experience deemed equivalent by the Superintendent. 

Preferred:   

• Doctoral degree in a field relevant to the position

• Specific training and/or experience in staff development, instructional design, adult learning theory, planning and project management, and/or school improvement

• Previous experience coaching administrators