Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and leadership in managing the district’s portfolio of schools to ensure all students have equitable access to high-quality educational options.
- Oversee the development and implementation of accountability systems, policies, and practices aligned with local, state, and federal requirements.
- Lead the district’s preparation and transition to the Louisiana Department of Education’s new accountability system, Grow. Achieve. Thrive. This includes: Interpreting new accountability metrics and ensuring alignment with district performance frameworks. Collaborating with school leaders to build capacity, readiness, and understanding of the new system’s expectations. Developing and implementing communication plans to inform stakeholders of upcoming changes and their implications. Designing data-informed tools and processes to support schools in achieving success under the new framework.
- Monitor and evaluate school performance through rigorous analysis of academic outcomes, operational effectiveness, and equity indicators.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts by identifying innovative strategies, best practices, and interventions to drive school and student success.
- Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to support school improvement initiatives, resource alignment, and policy development.
- Provide timely and transparent reporting to the Superintendent, Board, and public on school performance, portfolio changes, and accountability progress.
- Guide the development and implementation of school authorization, renewal, and closure policies based on performance outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with charter school laws, district performance expectations, and all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Serve as a thought partner to the Superintendent and executive team in shaping long-term academic and operational strategy.
- Provide leadership over the district’s data strategy and systems to ensure timely, accurate, and actionable data across differentiated funding, school accountability, enrollment, and portfolio decisions.
- Support the data team in developing and maintaining the district’s unified enrollment platform, data tools, and student information systems.
- Ensure the annual enrollment lottery (OneApp) is executed with transparency and fidelity, guaranteeing equitable access to school seats for over 50,000 students.
- Oversee the development and continuous improvement of data products and infrastructure that support families, school leaders, and district decision-makers.
- Lead strategic efforts related to data-driven portfolio planning, including school renewals, closures, transformations, and new school authorizations.
- Align accountability frameworks and performance monitoring tools with state and district goals to evaluate and communicate school effectiveness.
- Ensure the design and implementation of analytic tools meet the strategic needs of district leaders and external partners, including post-secondary outcomes and program capacity analysis.
- Collaborate with internal departments, the Louisiana Department of Education, and external organizations to ensure alignment and efficiency in data systems.
- Promote a culture of data literacy across the organization by supporting training, resources, and tools for school staff and stakeholders; and
- Performs other duties as assigned to support the success of the district and its students.
Educational Background
- Master’s degree in education, public policy, educational leadership, business administration, or a related field is strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in education, public administration, or school system strategy, with a strong preference for experience in accountability, portfolio management, and/or charter authorizing.
Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required
- Local, state, and federal education policies, including the Louisiana Department of Education’s new accountability systems (e.g., Grow. Achieve. Thrive.).
- K–12 school performance metrics, accountability frameworks, and school evaluation methods.
- Portfolio management strategies, including school authorization, renewal, replication, and closure processes.
- The landscape of charter schools, early childhood education, and district-wide enrollment systems.
- Equity-focused practices that drive improved outcomes for historically underserved student populations.
- Strategic planning, systems thinking, and long-range decision-making.
- Analyzing and synthesizing complex data to inform policy and operational decisions.
- Leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational alignment.
- Navigating politically complex environments with diplomacy and tact.
- Excellent oral and written communication, including board-level presentations and stakeholder engagement.
- Build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders including school leaders, families, community partners, and elected officials.
- Lead transformational change efforts in a large, urban school system.
- Design and implement systems and tools that promote accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
- Manage multiple high-impact initiatives with urgency, attention to detail, and accountability for results.
- Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in high-stakes decision-making.