Deputy Chief Academic Officer (DCAO)Sycamore Campus Ward 8
Whitman-Walker Health at St. Elizabeths East
1201 Sycamore Drive SE
Washington, DC 20032
Reports To: Chief Academic Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $122,601 - $160,627 annually
Join Academy of Hope's Next Phase of GrowthAcademy of Hope Adult Public Charter School (AoH) is seeking a visionary, learner-centered, and operationally strong leader to serve as the Deputy Chief Academic Officer (DCAO) for our newest campus, the Sycamore Campus located within the Whitman-Walker St. Elizabeths East development in Southeast Washington, DC.
This is an exciting opportunity to help lead the next phase of growth for one of Washington, DC's leading adult public charter schools serving adult learners pursuing their high school diploma, GED, workforce certifications, digital literacy skills, English language acquisition, and postsecondary pathways.
The DCAO will serve as the primary academic and building administrator for the Sycamore Campus and will play a critical leadership role in shaping campus culture, strengthening instructional excellence, expanding innovative programming, and ensuring strong learner outcomes across adult education and workforce-aligned pathways.
About Academy of HopeAcademy of Hope empowers adult learners to achieve their academic and career goals through high-quality adult education, workforce development, digital literacy, and wraparound support services. AoH serves adult learners across Washington, DC through innovative programming designed to remove barriers, accelerate learning, and support long-term economic mobility.
As AoH expands to its third campus, we are seeking leaders who are passionate about educational equity, adult learner success, organizational growth, and transformational leadership.
Position SummaryThe Deputy Chief Academic Officer (DCAO) serves as a senior academic and operational leader responsible for launching, leading, and sustaining academic programming at Academy of Hope's Sycamore Campus. This role functions as the primary building administrator and senior academic leader for the site, overseeing campus operations, instructional quality, learner experience, staff leadership, and academic performance.
The DCAO will work closely with executive leadership and academic teams to ensure the campus operates as a high-performing, learner-centered adult education environment aligned with AoH's mission, CARES values, and strategic priorities.
What You'll DoAcademic & Campus Leadership
- Serve as the lead academic administrator for the Sycamore Campus.
- Establish a positive, learner-centered campus culture focused on adult learner persistence and success.
- Oversee curriculum implementation, instructional quality, and academic programming.
- Support innovative adult education models integrating digital literacy, personalized learning, and workforce pathways.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts tied to learner outcomes and organizational goals.
Leadership & Team Development
- Supervise and develop:
- Manager of Curriculum and Instruction
- Manager of Digital Literacy
- Manager of Personalized Learning
- Director of Tutoring, Testing Services, and External Programming
- Provide coaching, accountability, and leadership development to direct reports.
- Foster collaboration and shared ownership of learner success across teams.
Strategic & Operational Leadership
- Support the continued expansion and development of AoH's third campus.
- Collaborate across academics, workforce, student services, enrollment, and operations teams.
- Monitor academic performance indicators including measurable skill gains, persistence, credential attainment, and learner retention.
- Support strategic planning, accreditation readiness, and accountability initiatives.
Required - Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Adult Education, Public Administration, or related field.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in education.
- Experience leading academic teams, instructional systems, or educational programs.
- Strong background in instructional leadership, curriculum oversight, and learner-centered practices.
- Experience supervising and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong organizational, operational, and communication skills.
Preferred - Doctorate in Education preferred (Ed.D., Ed.S., or related terminal degree).
- Experience within adult education, adult public charter schools, or alternative education settings.
- Familiarity with Washington, DC educational systems and accountability frameworks.
- Experience supporting organizational growth, accreditation, or campus expansion initiatives.
- Experience integrating workforce development and academic programming.
Work Environment & Physical DemandsThe Deputy Chief Academic Officer works within a fast-paced adult education environment requiring regular collaboration with learners, faculty, staff, executive leadership, and community partners. This position is primarily based on-site at Academy of Hope's Sycamore Campus in Southeast Washington, DC, with occasional travel between campuses and organizational locations as needed.
The role requires frequent movement throughout campus facilities, including classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces, as well as prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer use. Occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 15 pounds may be required. Evening and weekend hours may periodically be necessary to support campus operations, learner events, and organizational initiatives.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Why Join Academy of Hope?At AoH, you will join a mission-driven organization deeply committed to educational equity, adult learner transformation, and innovation in adult education. You will have the opportunity to shape a growing campus, build strong instructional systems, and directly impact the lives of adult learners across Washington, DC.
If you are a strategic, collaborative, and visionary leader passionate about adult education and organizational growth, we encourage you to apply.