Executive Director - Academic Programs

Executive Director - Academic Programs

Department Area

Social Studies
Visual and Performing Arts
Health and Physical Education
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Summer & Extended Learning Programs
Library Media Services

Reports to: Deputy Superintendent, Curriculum & Instruction
PC #: 24245
Pay Grade: 1002
Days: 239
Salary: $160,000-190,000
FSLA Status: Exempt 

Position Purpose

Leads the districtwide planning, execution, and performance management of Academic Programs to ensure coherent, high-quality implementation across all campuses. Oversees a diverse portfolio including Social Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Health and Physical Education; Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS); Summer and Extended Learning (ADSY); House Bill 1416 implementation and monitoring; and Library Media Services. Establishes and manages clear expectations to drive a high-performance culture, ensuring all programs are aligned to the district's Instructional Framework, curriculum priorities, and accountability requirements. Ensures strong cross-functional coordination to deliver consistent, high-quality, and timely supports to schools, resulting in improved student outcomes and equitable access across all programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Leads the planning, execution, and performance management of Academic Programs to ensure a coherent, high-quality system of instruction, intervention, enrichment, and extended learning across all campuses.
• Ensures Social Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Health & Physical Education; Library Media Services; Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS); and Summer and Extended Learning (ADSY) are tightly aligned to the district's Instructional Framework, curriculum priorities, and expectations for high-quality Tier 1 instruction, while maintaining the unique purpose and design of each program area.
• Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive data strategy across Academic Programs, ensuring teams use student performance and program data to identify gaps, address them in real time, and analyze trends over time to drive continuous improvement and improved student outcomes.
• Drives a unified vision for Academic Programs aligned to the district's Instructional Framework, TEKS, and accountability expectations, ensuring consistency and coherence across all program areas.
• Builds and manages a high-performance culture across Academic Programs, setting clear expectations and holding Directors accountable for implementation quality, program outcomes, and continuous improvement.
• Supervises, evaluates, and develops Directors and assigned leaders, building leadership capacity and ensuring strong execution across all areas of responsibility.
• Establishes and manages clear expectations, timelines, and quality standards across all program areas, ensuring disciplined execution and consistency districtwide.
• Leads the development and execution of systems to monitor program effectiveness, including student outcomes, implementation fidelity, and the impact of academic supports, and drives adjustments based on findings.
• Ensures alignment between academic programs, campus supports, and cross-functional teams within Curriculum & Instruction to deliver consistent, high-quality, and timely support to schools.
• Ensures curriculum, instructional resources, and programmatic supports are aligned to TEKS, district priorities, and research-based best practices.
• Leads the development, alignment, and implementation of Instructional Planning Calendars (IPCs) where applicable, ensuring coherence with curriculum and campus supports.
• Directs the design and implementation of MTSS frameworks and extended learning programs (including ADSY), ensuring effective intervention, acceleration, and enrichment for students.
• Oversees House Bill 1416 monitoring and compliance, ensuring all requirements are implemented with fidelity and aligned to district systems.
• Develops and implements systems to monitor instructional quality and the effectiveness of academic support initiatives across campuses.
• Provides executive oversight of budgets, staffing models, and resource allocations, ensuring strategic alignment to district priorities and equitable distribution of resources.
• Stays abreast of research and best practices in curriculum, instruction, intervention, and enrichment, ensuring programs reflect current, evidence-based approaches.
• Monitors progress toward district and departmental goals, communicates performance, and leads the development of action plans to ensure results.
• Demonstrates flexibility in scheduling and availability, including extended or adjusted work hours during peak delivery periods, large-scale distributions, inventory cycles, and urgent campus needs, to ensure timely, accurate, and responsive service.

Personal Work Relationships

• Maintains a commitment to the District's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork. Responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs all job-related duties as assigned and in accordance with the Board rules, policies, and regulations. All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of district academic systems, including curriculum, instruction, intervention, enrichment, and extended learning, and how they are implemented across campuses.
• Knowledge of program design, implementation, and evaluation across diverse academic areas, including Social Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Health & Physical Education; Library Media Services; MTSS; and extended learning programs.
• Knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), including intervention design, progress monitoring, and state compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of instructional frameworks, high-quality Tier 1 instruction, and strategies to ensure rigorous, grade-level access for all students.
• Knowledge of the science of learning and evidence-based practices for lesson design, instructional delivery, intervention, and enrichment across diverse program areas.
• Knowledge of assessment design, data systems, and accountability frameworks, including the use of data to drive instructional and programmatic decisions.
• Knowledge of House Bill 1416 requirements and related monitoring and compliance systems.
• Knowledge of University Interscholastic League (UIL) rules, regulations, and program requirements as they relate to academic and extracurricular programming.
• Knowledge of current research and best practices in curriculum, instruction, intervention, and extended learning.
• Knowledge of leadership, program management, and staff supervision in large, complex organizations.
• Knowledge of budget development, resource allocation, and strategic planning aligned to district priorities.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, policies, and procedures governing public education.
• Skill in leading and aligning multiple academic departments to ensure coherence and reduce fragmentation across the system.
• Skill in translating district priorities into clear, executable plans across diverse program areas.
• Skill in building and managing high-performing teams with clear expectations, strong execution, and accountability for results.
• Skill in designing and implementing districtwide systems for instruction, intervention, and extended learning with fidelity.
• Skill in cross-functional coordination to ensure alignment between academic programs, campus supports, and central office teams.
• Skill in using qualitative and quantitative data to identify gaps, address them in real time, and monitor trends over time.
• Skill in program design, implementation, and continuous improvement across multiple initiatives.
• Skill in managing large-scale operations, including staffing, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and facilitating professional learning and program implementation.
• Skill in communicating effectively and influencing stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to lead and manage complex, districtwide academic systems that drive measurable improvements in student outcomes.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize data to inform strategy, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to execute multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously while maintaining quality and timeliness.
• Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt strategies based on data, feedback, and evolving district needs.
• Ability to maintain a high-performance culture focused on results, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required to meet district priorities and deadlines.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including computer and peripherals.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment: Works in an office setting; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor's degree required.
  • Master's degree in Education preferred.
• Certificate/License:
  • Eligible for a Valid Texas Teaching Certification preferred.
  • Valid Texas Mid-Management or Principal Certification or Principal Certification preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in education or a related field, including a combination of classroom, campus, central office, and/or nonprofit leadership experience required.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience at the campus, district, or organizational level (e.g., Instructional Coach, Dean, Assistant Principal, Principal, Coordinator, Director, or similar roles), with responsibility for leading teams and driving program implementation required.
  • Demonstrated verifiable track record of improving student outcomes aligned to academic, intervention, or programmatic outcomes required.
  • Experience leading or supporting academic programs, student support systems (e.g., MTSS), extended learning, or a closely related function at the campus and/or district level required.
  • Experience working with diverse student populations, particularly in a large, urban school district preferred.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.