Principal or Vice Principal School Director
Job Description
JOB TITLE: School Director
REPORTS TO: Board of Directors
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt / Full-time
WHO WE ARE (ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW)
Colorado SKIES Academy is an aerospace-focused middle school authorized by the Cherry Creek School District. At CSA we inspire successful careers in the aerospace industry with an academically rigorous, project-based curriculum that prepares our students for advanced secondary and post-secondary education.
THE OPPORTUNITY (POSITION OVERVIEW)
As a School Director at Colorado SKIES Academy, you will establish a culture of acceptance, caring, and the shared belief that each learner (student) has strengths that should be cultivated. You will develop future leaders through the reflective supervision process. You will ensure that the school’s charter and the Maker Method are implemented. Your professional learning community will provide a supportive and collaborative environment to fuel your growth and development. Together, we will ensure every learner receives the support and instruction needed to be successful!
The School Director leads, manages, and oversees all functions of the individual school site, including the education program to ensure the academic performance of learners, budget to secure and maintain the fiscal solvency of the site, school operations, community relations, people management, and facilities.
WHAT YOU WILL DO (DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES)
Provide visionary, collaborative, and innovative educational leadership
- Provide instructional leadership for the school site to maintain a school-wide focus on high standards of academic performance, including collaborating with the Maker Team to manage the process for analyzing data to increase learner achievement and supporting all facilitators (teachers) in their professional development.
- Work with the employee services department (human resources) to attract and select top talent, build staff capacity, and implement the Reflective Supervision Process.
- Develop a team culture that is based on collaboration, empowerment, and trust.
- Develop an effective school community, including working with and developing positive relationships with families, community groups, and charter authorizers.
- Communicate effectively and frequently, with staff, families, learners, board members, and authorizers.
- Ensure that the Maker Method is implemented schoolwide. Work with MLN to provide instructional coaching, training, and support for school staff.
- Demonstrates leadership experience and success in challenging and engaging learners at all points along the educational performance continuum.
- Coordinate assessments (formative and summative) that meet the state, charter, and CSA guidelines.
- Oversee implementation and usage of required technology platforms.
- Demonstrates strong decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills; able to make difficult decisions without being divisive.
- Attend MLN meetings, collaboratives, training, professional learning opportunities, Leadership Connections, conferences, and Camp Make experiences.
Operational planning and management
- Manage all resources at the school site, including maintaining a balanced budget, planning for future needs, and ensuring state compliance in all areas.
- Ensure that the operation of the school meets the expectations of its stakeholders, Board of Directors, and Funders.
- Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the school.
- Demonstrates strong financial intelligence and long-term vision for fiscal stewardship; allocates resources according to school and governing board goals.
- Research funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans, and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the school.
- Ensure that the school’s charter is followed and implemented.
- Manage daily operations, facilities, safety, and administrative processes.
- Lead long-term strategic planning and set collaborative yearly goals.
- Collaborate with other MLN School Directors and the MLN support team to achieve site and organizational goals.
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and support the Colorado Skies Academy mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
- Identify and evaluate the risks of the organization’s stakeholders (learners, facilitators, staff, management, and volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to manage risks.
- Collaborate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the school.
- Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the school’s activities.
- Foster effective teamwork between you, the Board of Directors, MLN staff, and families.
- Act as a spokesperson for the school.
- Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board of Directors as appropriate and jointly with the Board of Directors when appropriate.
- Represent the school at community activities to enhance the school’s community profile.
- Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, authorizers, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.
Essential Functions
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in exchanging information, both verbal and written. (In Person/Telephone/Computer)
- Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
- Adjusting or moving objects up to 30 pounds in all directions.
- Travel to support the establishment of new start-up school sites when applicable.
- Vehicle operation when applicable.
- Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
- May encounter outdoor elements (>90)/(<60) temperatures, precipitation, and/or wind.
- Ability to work in situations involving the need to make informed and quick decisions.
- Ability to train and delegate as needed in mentoring situations.
- Reading detailed documentation and analyzing data sets.
- Writing professionally both by hand and utilizing computer software.
- Speak in public settings, including virtual collaborations with more than one person.
- Ability to work well independently and with others.
- Very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.
- Thrive in a collaborative, team-based, and fast-paced environment.
- Be passionate and supportive of the mission and vision as well as have a strong desire to make a difference for the future of all MLN partner schools.
- Dealing and navigating professionally through high-stress situations.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING (QUALIFICATIONS)
- Bachelor’s Degree required; Master or Ph.D. in Education preferred.
- Administrative Credential preferred.
- 7+ years combined teaching and administrative experience.
- Has successful teaching and administration experience, with a pattern of increasing responsibility in education and administration.
- Willingness to collaborate and to create a collaborative environment.
- Commitment to the MLN design principles and willingness to attend training, collaboratives, retreats, etc. to learn more.
- Demonstrated commitment to students and learning.
- Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum development and program design.
- In-depth experience developing a teaching staff.
- Strong experience in performance assessment.
- Excellent relationship-building, management, and community-building skills.
- Strong problem-solving and consensus-building abilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.
- Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills, and a high sense of urgency.
- Entrepreneurial passion.
- An open mind, a heart for kids, and a passion for leadership.
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Colorado SKIES Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity within its staff.
Colorado Skies Academy promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure equal employment opportunities for everyone. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.
Updated 03/2023
