Idea Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Role Mission
The Regional Director of Compliance ensures that IDEA Greater Cincinnati operates with integrity, transparency, and full adherence to all state, federal, and authorizer requirements. Working under the direction of the Regional Executive Director, the Regional Director of Compliance builds and maintains systems that safeguard the region's credibility, funding, and long-term sustainability.
This role plays a critical part in IDEA GC's efforts to build the infrastructure and routines that allow campus and regional leaders to focus on instruction and operations while ensuring compliance is proactive, well-managed, and fully integrated. The Director leads compliance readiness across the region, manages key relationships with the Fordham Institute (authorizer) and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), and ensures IDEA Greater Cincinnati meets or exceeds every contractual and regulatory standard.
What We Offer
Compensation:

• Starting compensation for this role typically falls between $91,120 and $112,000 commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for a performance bonus based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Other Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, generous vacation time, referral bonuses and professional development. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Why This Role Matters
The Regional Director of Compliance safeguards IDEA Greater Cincinnati's future. By ensuring compliance is not just managed-but mastered-this role builds the foundation for IDEA GC's long-term success, including its 2027 charter renewal, credibility with authorizers, and confidence from families and funders.
Through strong systems, data integrity, and partnership across teams, the Regional Director of Compliance transforms compliance from a reactive obligation into a proactive driver of sustainability, trust, and excellence.
What You'll Do - Accountabilities
Essential Duties
1. Charter Compliance, Authorizer Relations, and Renewal Preparation

• Serve as IDEA Greater Cincinnati's primary compliance liaison to the Fordham Institute and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW).
• Ensure IDEA GC meets 100% of all Fordham contractual obligations, including all "Meets Standard" ratings on Fordham's Alternative Accountability Measures (governance, financial performance, academic reporting, and operational compliance).
• Maintain ongoing communication with Fordham staff regarding deadlines, submissions, and compliance evidence.
• Coordinate the authorizer performance framework process, including submission of documentation, performance analysis, and follow-up.
• Lead IDEA GC's 2027 Charter Renewal process, including development of all renewal documentation, compliance evidence, and internal readiness reviews.
• Partner with IPS Legal, Executive Director, and regional leaders to ensure renewal submissions reflect IDEA GC's performance and continuous improvement.

2. EMIS Oversight and Data Integrity

• Oversee and coordinate Educational Management Information System (EMIS) data submission and reporting for all IDEA GC schools.
• Work in collaboration with regional operations, data, and academic teams to ensure accuracy and timeliness of EMIS data (attendance, enrollment, discipline, and course information).
• Serve as the regional point of contact for ODEW EMIS coordinators and external audits.
• Monitor data integrity and ensure alignment between EMIS reporting and the SIS and analytics platform.
• Provide data accuracy audits, quarterly compliance dashboards, and year-end reconciliations.

3. Regulatory and Policy Compliance

• Develop and maintain a regional compliance calendar capturing all deadlines, submissions, and audit cycles across departments.
• Lead preparation and quality assurance for all state and federal submissions (e.g., attendance, testing, Title programs, financial reports, safety drills, and accessibility compliance).
• Collaborate with legal and governance teams to ensure IDEA GC's policies and handbooks are up-to-date and consistent with Ohio law and IDEA policy.
• Manage responses to all ODEW or authorizer audits, desk reviews, or investigations, coordinating with internal teams for corrective actions and documentation.
• Track trends and risks across campuses, and report quarterly to the Regional Executive Director.

4. Internal Audits, Risk Management, and Systems Building

• Conduct quarterly internal compliance reviews of high-risk areas (student records, special education, safety, attendance, HR documentation).
• Develop and manage a regional compliance tracking system that integrates with IDEA's national dashboards and supports ongoing risk assessment.
• Partner with the IPS Internal Audit and Risk Management teams to ensure alignment and share best practices.
• Lead or coordinate corrective action plans to closure when findings occur, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
• Create a culture of proactive compliance-celebrating milestones, highlighting successes, and embedding "sweat the small stuff" accountability into daily operations.

5. Governance and Board Effectiveness

• Partner with the Executive Director to strengthen the IDEA Greater Cincinnati Board's effectiveness and compliance.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of board training certifications, ethics disclosures, and public posting requirements.
• Manage compliance portions of board meeting preparation, including accuracy of agendas, minutes, and supporting documents.
• Track follow-up items and ensure alignment between board action items and compliance timelines.
• Support the board in maintaining readiness for Fordham authorizer reviews and public transparency requirements, including website postings and policy updates.

6. Leadership and Capacity Building

• Train campus operations leaders and regional staff on compliance expectations, data reporting, and documentation standards.
• Build sustainable systems and tools that reduce reliance on any single individual for compliance execution.
• Partner with academic and operational leaders to strengthen cross-functional ownership of compliance, including integration into school routines and audits.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to the Executive Director on compliance trends, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Performance Indicators

• 100% of compliance and authorizer deadlines met with no material findings.
• IDEA GC achieves "Meets Standard" in all Fordham alternative accountability measures each year.
• Successful 2027 Fordham Charter Renewal with full compliance readiness documented.
• Zero critical EMIS errors and accurate state reporting across all required data sets.
• Quarterly compliance dashboards delivered to regional leadership and board.
• All staff complete required annual compliance training.
• Improved governance efficiency and timely completion of all board obligations.

Required Experience and Credentials
Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in Education, Public Policy, Law, or Business preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in compliance, legal, data reporting, or charter school operations.
• Strong understanding of Ohio charter school regulations, EMIS reporting, and authorizer frameworks.
• Proven experience managing cross-departmental compliance systems or audits.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Make Strategic Decisions: Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with overlapping timelines and deadlines. Leverage limited resources to meet key operational priorities and compliance requirements.
• Grow Self and Others: Self-starter with the ability to stay abreast of compliance changes. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to train and build compliance knowledge and capacity in others.
• Build a Culture of Trust: Demonstrate personal and professional integrity in the management of sensitive data. Manage stakeholder relationships with a focus on collaborative partnership.
• Communicate Deliberately: Ability to cascade clearly defined action steps to appropriate team members and work collaboratively across stakeholder teams and departments.
• Manage Work and Teams: Deep understanding of ODEW and Fordham Institute compliance standards. Excellent project management and analytical skills.
• Technical proficiency with data systems (SIS, EMIS, compliance data dashboards).
• Commitment to IDEA's mission of preparing every student for success in college and life.

Values and Characteristics
We look for teammates who:

• Believe deeply in the IDEA mission that all students can and will go to and through college.
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes and embrace accountability.
• Take initiative, act with urgency, and learn through action.
• Thrive in a high-growth, fast-changing environment.
• Seek and respond openly to feedback.
• Build cross-functional relationships to achieve student outcomes.
• Model professionalism, integrity, and respect in all interactions.

Location:

• Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with on-site work at campuses and regional offices.

Travel Expectations:

• Occasional travel within Ohio and to IDEA national events.
• Some evenings or weekends for board meetings and state audits.

About IDEA Public Schools
At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.
IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report's top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, and Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.
When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.
Staff Experience
At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values
To Apply
Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It's in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
IDEA Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organization's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact IDEA Human Resources at (956) 377-8000.