Job Details

Executive Director - K12 Education

The Executive Director (K12) provides district-wide leadership to ensure academic excellence and continuous improvement across all Montgomery Public Schools. This position oversees principal supervision, instructional leadership, and school performance to ensure alignment with the district's mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The Executive Director collaborates with district departments and school leaders to implement data-driven practices, strengthen teaching and learning, and improve student outcomes. Through strategic planning, accountability, and support, this role ensures every MPS school provides equitable, high-quality educational experiences that prepare students for success.

Qualifications:

• Masters degree or higher in school administration, educational administration, curriculum, or related field.
• A minimum of three years of classroom teaching experience.
• A minimum of five years of experience as an instructional leader with demonstrable evidence of a direct impact on student achievement, school improvement, teacher and leadership development (Experience as a district educational specialist, director, coordinator, or supervisor of leadership development and school improvement is preferred but not required).
• Extensive knowledge and experience in elementary, middle, and/or high school leadership, organizational, and continuous school improvement preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership development, evaluation, and school improvement.
• Demonstrated success in using data-driven decision-making to improve student performance across grade levels and core disciplines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective group dynamics.
• A valid Alabama State Department of Education certification in Educational Leadership or alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Essential Duties:

• Promotes the districts vision, mission, and goals.
• Builds internal/external partnerships and local school practices and processes that support district goals and enhance student learning.
• Provides leadership in facilitating organizational goals through the implementation of the school improvement plan, assists in the development of the schools comprehensive instructional program, and effectively communicates with stakeholders.
• Serves and works with all areas aligned to leadership and school improvement outcomes, including but not limited to instructional leadership, building management and operation, laws and policy, curriculum and instruction, professional development, exceptional children services, academically gifted services, fine arts, career and technical education, magnet education, alternative education, ESL, foreign languages, exceptional education services, federal programs/Title I, migrant education and PreK-12 instruction, co-curricular activities, extra-curricular activities and student support services.
• Directs the assigned schools and personnel in the analysis and method formulation for handling special projects; evaluates final results; reviews various prepared reports and performs special projects; advises and consults the Superintendent and/or other cabinet members on a variety of non-routine matters.
• Coaches and develops instructional leaders through the use of scientifically-based research and best practices.
• Develops collaboration and cross-departmental teams with Instructional Support Services, Human Resources, and Operations to better serve and develop the capacity of schools for ongoing improvement.
• Offers guidance for the improvement of student achievement; develops, arranges, and implements forms of technical and data assistance for schools that are underperforming as well as schools with average-to-high performance.
• Prepares and delivers written and oral presentations on academic accountability to the superintendent, chief academic officer, principals, teachers, parents, and community groups; attends board meetings, conducts area principals meetings, and attends other related meetings.
• Collaborates with school district departments, community agencies, local universities, research laboratories, etc.; seeks advice from and shares information with each group; maintains contact with other school districts to share ideas and information.
• Assumes leadership role on the superintendents leadership team; assists with long-range strategic planning; assists with developing system-wide budgets, plans, policies, and activities.
• Provides assistance in determining the types of programs needed by schools and makes appropriate recommendations; addresses the needs of the faculty and staff.
• Provides input on professional development activities; follows the latest research, trends, and development in all areas of education and explains these to the superintendent, chief academic officer, leadership team, and other district employees as needed.
• Supervises and evaluates principals and other assigned staff.
• Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for direct subordinates, including evaluating, assigning special duties, supervising attendance and travel reports, and professional development.
• Carries out other assigned supervisory responsibilities from the superintendent and chief academic officer in accordance with the organizations vision, policies, and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include reviewing and hiring recommendations; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Metrics and Evaluation:

The performance of the Executive Director of Leadership K12 will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent or designee based on leadership effectiveness, principal supervision, school performance outcomes, and alignment with district strategic priorities. Minimum key performance indicators include:

• Principal Supervision and Leadership Development
• Demonstrate overall improvement in school-level academic performance across the K12 portfolio or schools assigned, including gains in proficiency, growth, and state accountability scores.
• Ensure that 100% supervised principals are evaluated annually in accordance with district and state policies.
• Facilitate monthly leadership meetings or professional learning sessions for principals and assistant principals focused on instructional leadership, compliance, and school improvement.
• Provide targeted coaching and professional development to support principal growth and retention.
• Student Achievement and Academic Growth (System-Level Impact)
• As applicable to schools assigned, collaborate with school leaders to:
• Increase overall MPS ALSDE Report Card grade by 3%5% annually.
• Increase ELA, Math, and Science proficiency by 3%5%.
• Increase academic achievement and academic growth by 3%5%, as measured by district and state assessments.
• Increase graduation rate by 2 %.
• Ensure all high school students meet the College and Career Readiness (CCR) benchmark by 100% annually.
• Increase the number of students participating in dual enrollment by 3%5%.
• Data-Driven Leadership and Support
• Use multiple data sources (academic, discipline, attendance, climate, teacher evaluations) to guide support strategies for schools.
• Ensure 100% of the Alabama Comprehensive Improvement Plans (ACIPs) are submitted on time, are data-informed, and show alignment to district goals.
• Monitor implementation of ACIPs with mid-year and end-of-year principal check-ins that demonstrate progress toward performance goals.
• School Climate, Culture, and Student Outcomes
• Work with principals to:
• Reduce chronic absenteeism by at least 10% across all MPS schools assigned.
• Reduce disciplinary referrals and suspensions by 10%, while ensuring safe, inclusive environments.
• Support schools in achieving 85% or higher satisfaction ratings from students, parents, and staff based on annual surveys.
• Family and Community Engagement Support
• Support principals in developing and implementing at least four high-impact family or community engagement initiatives per school year.
• Collaborate with central office and community stakeholders to strengthen school partnerships that support academic and social-emotional outcomes.
• Operational and Fiscal Oversight
• Monitor and support schools in maintaining 100% compliance with district safety, facilities, and operational procedures.
• Ensure school leaders maintain budget integrity, with no unapproved overages, and provide support for resolving financial or compliance issues promptly.
• Assist with ensuring all those federal, state, and local funds (including Title I, if applicable) are used appropriately, aligned with school goals, and in accordance with district policies and procedures.
• Vision, Mission, and Strategic Alignment
• Ensure that all schools operate in alignment with MPSs district vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
• Monitor and support measurable progress toward school improvement goals, with district-level updates presented mid-year and at the end of