Director of Academics and Schools Management

The Director of Academics and Schools Management serves as a senior instructional and operational leader responsible for supporting, developing, and holding schools accountable within a school-based management model. Two Directors will share oversight of approximately 18 schools, ensuring coherence, consistency, and high-quality implementation of district priorities.

This role is responsible for building the capacity of school leaders to design, implement, and sustain effective systems and structures that drive student outcomes. These systems include, but are not limited to, instructional leadership, evaluation, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), intervention frameworks, climate and culture systems, and continuous improvement processes.

The Director ensures that schools are both empowered to lead and accountable for results, with a strong emphasis on equitable, standards-aligned instruction and whole-child outcomes.

Core Leadership Responsibilities

School Portfolio Leadership 

• Supervise and evaluate principals and assistant principals across an assigned portfolio of schools
• Establish clear expectations for school-based autonomy within district-defined systems and guardrails
• Hold schools accountable for academic performance, student experience, and operational effectiveness
• Facilitate ongoing performance management cycles using key data (achievement, attendance, behavior, intervention effectiveness)
• Support school leaders in developing and executing School Improvement Plans aligned to district priorities

Instructional Leadership & Academic Systems

• Lead the implementation of standards-aligned, grade-level instruction across all schools
• Build principal capacity to:
  • Monitor instruction through walkthroughs and data cycles
  • Lead high-functioning professional learning communities (PLCs)
  • Implement research-based, culturally responsive instructional practices
• Collaborate with Teaching & Learning and content departments to ensure coherence of:
  • Curriculum
  • Assessment systems
  • Instructional practices
• Ensure instructional systems are consistent, scalable, and adaptable across schools

MTSS & Integrated Student Support Systems

• Ensure every school designs and implements a comprehensive MTSS framework integrating:
  • Academic interventions
  • Behavioral supports
  • Social-emotional learning
• Build school leader capacity to:
  • Use data to identify student needs and assign appropriate tiers of support
  • Monitor effectiveness of interventions and adjust in real time
• Oversee systems that ensure:
  • Tier 1 core instruction is strong and aligned
  • Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports are targeted, timely, and effective
• Align MTSS with:
  • Instructional priorities
  • Climate and culture systems
  • Student support structures in partnership with Director of Climate & Safety
• Partner with the Directors of Students Specialized Services, Director of Climate & Safety and Multilingual Services to ensure coherent, inclusive support delivery in the least restrictive environment

Leadership Development & Professional Learning

• Design and facilitate a coherent leadership development model for principals and assistant principals
• Lead differentiated professional learning focused on:
  • Instructional leadership
  • Systems design and implementation
  • Data-driven decision making
  • MTSS and intervention effectiveness
• Develop leadership PLCs that:
  • Promote shared problem-solving
  • Build collective efficacy
  • Support continuous improvement across schools

Systems Design & School-Based Model Implementation

• Develop and refine a district-wide school-based management framework, including:
  • Clear systems and structures required at the school level
  • Defined autonomy vs. non-negotiables
• Ensure schools have strong, functioning systems in:
  • Instruction
  • MTSS/interventions
  • Climate and culture
  • Family and community engagement
  • Educator evaluation
• Support leaders in designing systems that are sustainable, scalable, and aligned to district expectations
• Monitor fidelity of implementation while allowing for school-level innovation

Data, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

• Lead the use of data dashboards and improvement cycles to monitor:
  • Academic progress
  • Intervention effectiveness
  • Student behavior and attendance
• Support principals in translating data into:
  • Strategic actions
  • Resource allocation decisions
  • Instructional adjustments
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and responsiveness across schools

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Alignment

• Serve as a key liaison between schools and district departments - STEAM, Humanities, Multilingual, Climate & Safety, Student Services, Programs & Partnerships as well as other departments outside of the Academics team. Ensure alignment and coordination of supports provided to schools
• Collaborate with external partners and community stakeholders to strengthen systems of support for students and families
• Support implementation of district initiatives (e.g., AVID, specialized programs, multilingual programs) within the school-based model

Operational & Organizational Leadership

• Support school leaders with:
  • Staffing and talent management
  • Resource allocation
  • Compliance with district, state, and federal requirements
• Assist in resolving complex school-based issues involving students, staff, and families
• Ensure effective communication systems between schools and the district

Key Leadership Competencies

• Deep expertise in instructional leadership and school improvement
• Strong systems thinking, including the ability to design and scale coherent school-based systems
• Demonstrated success implementing MTSS and integrated student support models
• Ability to balance autonomy and accountability in school leadership
• Expertise in adult learning and leadership development
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
• High emotional intelligence and ability to lead through complexity and change
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills

Education & Experience

• Master's degree required; Doctorate preferred
• Illinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative/Principal endorsement
• Minimum:
  • 3�5 years in school leadership (principal or equivalent)
  • 3+ years in instructional or district leadership
• Demonstrated success improving student outcomes at scale

Structural Notes 

• Two Directors will:
  • Split oversight of approximately 18 schools
  • Operate with shared expectations and aligned practices
  • Collaborate closely to ensure system-wide coherence
• Success in this role is defined by:
  • Strong school-based systems
  • Improved student outcomes
  • Increased leadership capacity at the school level
  • Effective implementation of MTSS and intervention structure

Conditions of Employment

This position requires traveling to various school sites, work locations, and/or community organizations

throughout the district.

SUPERVISORY EXPECTATIONS: Manage school leaders and their subordinates professional work. Take responsibility for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of assigned teams. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the district's strategic goals and policies applicable to state and federal laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Compensation and Benefits (2026-2027 school year)  
$125,000-$145,000 (excluding TRS)

Benefits include: 

• Medical and Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance and Long-term Disability
• Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Pension plan
• Flexible Benefits Plan
• Tax Deferred Annuities
• Vacation Days
• Sick Days
• Personal Days
• Employee Assistance Program

Application Procedure:
Apply online at www.district65.net

Selection Procedure:
Qualified candidates will be notified to schedule an interview