Managing Director of Schools

The MDOS will be responsible for developing and leading the School Directors and supports the Managing Director of PreK-12 and Network Director of Support Services in driving exceptional outcomes for students, families, and staff. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has a track record of driving results, developing leaders, launching and seeing through ambitious initiatives, and interacting with fundraisers and external partners.

The Managing Director of Schools is responsible for overseeing the quality of school programming and is solely focused on ensuring schools have the support they need to deliver excellent instruction. The Managing Director of Schools  primary responsibility is to drive and own instructional outcomes for students by way of teaching and supporting teachers.  

Specifically, Managing Director of Schools at GOLCS are responsible for driving:

• Leader development
• Student growth and achievement
• School Culture

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MANAGEMENT AND COACHING

• Fosters a collaborative and results-driven culture across the network of schools.
• Directs and coaches School Directors on school management, including planning, staffing, program, culture, curriculum, instruction,  assessments, professional development and the management of schools to network wide benchmark goals.
• Supports the development of School Directors in designing and leveraging their secondary leadership teams and establishing an effective partnership.
• Plans and leads effective professional development, management, coaching, and evaluation of School Directors.

 ACADEMIC PROGRAM SUPPORT & COLLABORATION

• Monitors key metrics to determine success of school network and foster data-driven continuous improvement.
• Works with the academic team to incorporate evidence-based best practices, instruction, and assessments, meets state and college/career requirements, and meets the needs of all students. 
• With input from and collaboration with key stakeholders, develops network strategy for implementation of the academic and SEL model and resource allocation to achieve desired student outcomes.
• Support the academic model by ensuring it includes high expectations and an effective tiered system of supports to meet the needs of all students, including special populations (e.g. Special Education, English Language Learners)
• Ensures and is ultimately responsible for continuous improvement of student outcomes.
• Promotes educational equity (equitable outcomes and processes) as a guiding principle across the entire school network, and ensures it is reflected in curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems.
• Ensures academic team efforts are effectively building the capacity of teachers and leaders across the system to meet the needs of all students and create conditions for students to thrive.
• Manages long-term and annual school planning.
• Collaborate with the Chief Schools Officer and other leaders to plan and execute summer institutes for school leaders, new teachers, and returning staff.

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM COLLABORATION

• Collaborates with the Academic Leadership team to establish and accomplish organizational goals, objectives and strategic plans
• Collaborates closely with other senior leaders in the organization to optimize the partnership between the schools, programs, and shared services.  
• Participate in key decisions with the academic leadership team, providing input and recommendations.
• Foster and facilitate positive relationships and collaboration with network and school-based leaders to advance efforts that support achievement for all students and to advance the mission and goals

STUDENT GROWTH & ACHIEVEMENT

• Knows essential content, rigor of standards, and highly effective teaching strategies well enough to establish and maintain a standard and coach it; is able to readily adapt to leverage resources across subject areas.
• Audits, analyzes, and progress monitors data weekly to inform strategic decisions and priorities for student growth. 
• Ensures there’s an effective testing environment, investment, and procedures for testing in collaboration with the Network Operations and Academic teams.

SCHOOL CULTURE

• Progress monitor school performance on school culture indicators
• Support schools with devising action plans for improvement 
• Conduct school based walkthroughs and provide feedback on culture and academics. 
• Work with the Deans of Culture to support their planning and implementation. 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP & EVALUATION 

The managing director of schools reports directly to the Chief Schools Officer and works closely with their peer managing directors, network directors of operations, curriculum team members, as well as the Chief Curriculum and Instruction Officer and other members of the executive team. The managing director of schools directly supervises a defined portfolio of School Directors, supporting their success and driving school achievement.

Qualifications

Must-Haves:

• College degree: has a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Teaching Experience: has taught for a minimum of four years and has student achievement scores to speak to their effectiveness. As a leader for teachers in our organization, the person in this role needs to have walked the walk. 
• Deep content expert: stays afloat of current research in school culture and instruction via reading and professional development. 
• Strong data analysis skills: can look at a multiple departments’ data set, diagnose challenges, and immediately recommend clear next steps for their teams of teachers
• Visionary and dreamer: can develop and drive an inspirational and audacious vision for their team that will yield results for students.
• Detail-oriented and logistical: prioritizes the micro details as much as the vision and can take an idea from theory to practice. 
• Excellent communication skills: can speak and write clearly, specifically, and cohesively about the discipline and all the nitty gritty details stakeholders will need to know in order to achieve results for students. 
• Just do it: does not always need to be told what to do; has insight to determine what needs to be done based on assessing gaps and asking the appropriate questions; can manage multiple projects at once

Nice-to-Haves:

• An advanced degree (Masters or Doctorate) in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational leadership  
• A state issued license as a teacher, supervisor, or principal

GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL

The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a high-performing, innovative charter public school in Newark NJ, serving students from Pre-K to 12th grade on campuses across the city of Newark. Our mission is to prepare Newark’s students for success in college and beyond.

Our model is based on the following guiding principles that guide our work daily:

1. Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships. GOLCS staff rate our commitment to students as the #1 reason they teach/work at our schools.
2. Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support for all students and team members. Our students receive daily tutoring embedded into their school schedule - facilitated by our AmeriCorps team members. Staff members receive individualized coaching and support in their roles.
3. Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students, in preparation for success in college and beyond. Currently, the historical college matriculation rate for GOLCS is 79% - nearly twice the national average for economically underrepresented students.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.
• Up to $5,250 per year in tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement.
• Reimbursements for external professional development aligned to your role.
• Wellness reimbursements including gym memberships, spa services, and more.
• Online counseling services - for staff and their dependents - via top-rated therapy app.
• Pre-tax state pension plan benefit w/ additional. options available via voluntary retirement plans.
• Pre-tax dependent care, health, and transit flexible spending plans available.
• Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

GOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore, we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.

GOLCS VACCINATION POLICY & COMMITMENT TO SAFETY

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is committed to ensuring healthy and safe working and learning environments, and maintaining our educational commitment to GOLCS students and families - with minimal disruption to instruction. With this in mind, as of October 2021, Great Oaks Legacy requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Candidates who would like to apply for a reasonable accommodation from this policy based on a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief should reach out to HR@greatoakslegacy.org for more information.