Director Of School Operations Jobs in Springfield, MA

POSITION: Executive Director of School Leadership for the High Schools and Adult Education

REPORTS TO: Chief Academic Officer/Superintendent of Schools and CEO

POSITION SUMMARY: The Executive Director of School Leadership (EDSL) for the High Schools and Adult Education supervises, coaches, and supports school principals and adult education director to ensure the effective delivery of curriculum and instruction and attainment of student achievement goals. The Executive Director of School Leadership is responsible for coordinating with other central office leaders to build support systems in service of schools’ improvement efforts and district priorities. The EDSL is also responsible for collaborating with district divisions in the oversight of school improvement, operations, and safety and to assure proper implementation of district policies and procedures. The EDSL is accountable for improving student achievement at the schools they supervise.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Focus on the growth of school principals' and adult education director’s instructional leadership capacity
• Coach and evaluate principals and adult education director on all aspects of the Connecticut School Leadership Standards
• Provide evidence-based feedback that improves individual leadership and overall school success and supports a strong growth trajectory for both principals and their schools
• Model for principals and adult education director the thought processes and actions of instructional leadership
• Plan and lead differentiated professional learning experiences for principals and adult education director, individually and as a cohort
• Support principals and adult education director in creating, implementing, evaluating, and adjusting data-informed plans for improving schools, programs, and instruction for all students
• Support principals, adult education director, and school leadership teams in the design and execution of innovative school models, especially high school and adult education models, which promote college, career, and life readiness for all students
• Engage school and program leaders in dialogue that explicitly identifies goals and objectives that will impact student achievement and aligns school improvement plans with the District Model for Excellence Strategic Operating Plan and annual performance targets
• Build principal, adult education director, and school leadership team capacity in regularly reviewing and analyzing student and school data to understand what's working, what's not, and making rapid adjustments to realize student achievement targets
• Coordinate Instructional Rounds, formal and informal classroom walk-throughs, and school and program site visits to monitor instructional quality across all assigned settings
• Provide timely and specific instructional improvement feedback to principals and adult education director
• Facilitate School and Program Progress Review Meetings and coordinate central office's collective response to student performance data, school climate surveys, attendance data, financial matters, staffing needs, curricula, and identified interventions
• Collaborate with other EDSLs and central office divisions to ensure that the principals and adult education director have the support to effectively implement Hartford Public Schools' (HPS) strategic priorities, carry out required policies and procedures, and achieve Connecticut School Leadership Standards
• Advocate for and inform the coherence of organizational vision, policies, and strategies to support secondary schools, adult education programs, and student learning
• Collaborate with other Executive Directors of School Leadership and the Chief Academic Officer to create a climate of professional collaboration, share best practices, and establish structures that foster shared learning, information, and resource exchange across schools and the PreK-12 and adult education system
• Develop and contribute to communication and collaboration systems that ensure a smooth flow of information to enable all resources to be focused on high-priority goals for each school and program, and ensure the sharing and implementation of best practices and district initiatives across all assigned settings
• Work with the Office of Talent Management to develop, recruit, hire, and onboard new school leaders and adult education directors
• Foster meaningful and effective relationships with families, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders in support of Hartford high school and adult education students
• Advocate for assigned secondary schools and adult education programs with other district leaders, and work with district leaders to broker the necessary central office resources to support successful school and program improvement plan implementation

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Reform-minded, innovative thinker and leader who maintains a relentless focus on student learning and well-being
• Demonstrated experience in raising student performance and closing achievement gaps, preferably in a high school setting
• Knowledge of and experience meeting the needs and challenges of neighborhood and/or magnet urban schools in urban/multicultural settings
• Commitment to the Hartford Public Schools' District Model for Excellence Strategic Operating Plan
• Strong and collaborative leadership with an honest, transparent, and inclusive style that supports outcomes and educational excellence
• Proven ability to build consensus among peer professionals
• Ability to inspire respect, trust, and excellence in others
• Effective management and leadership of adults, including coaching, evaluation, and team building among a variety of stakeholders
• Proven ability to provide detailed, instructionally focused feedback
• Demonstrated ability to exercise impeccable ethics and sound judgment and model a proactive, positive approach
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex change initiatives, including by prioritizing and advancing multiple work streams, identifying, and navigating interdependencies, and cultivating coherence
• Able to collect and analyze observational, anecdotal, and quantitative data to guide decision-making
• Demonstrated skill as an articulate and persuasive communicator, both orally and in writing
• Able to keep others adequately informed and engaged
• Deep understanding of curricular frameworks, quality classroom materials, and high-quality instructional practices in K-12, with a strong understanding of high school
• Advanced degree in education or a related area
• At least five (5) years of successful experience as a school principal
• Experience at the secondary level is required
• Proven record of educational leadership in a complex environment, preferably to include experience successfully coaching and/or supervising principals
• Familiarity with adult education programs and the unique needs of adult learners

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED: Connecticut Certification in Intermediate Administration or Supervision (092) is required.

UNION AFFILIATION: Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association’s 2026-2027 Schedule: Executive Principal/Principals Supervisor, Group 10, salary range of $169,209 - $182,473 (12-month work year). 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:  To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford. Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email.  The code word for the internal application is hartford (lowercase “h”).  Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed.  Candidates who advance will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.