Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

Exec Dir - Strategic Initiativ
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: Year Round
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA - Administrator - 229 days , G12, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $121,888.00 - $145,674.00 Effective as of: 06-16-2023

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $54.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

SUMMARY Lead organizational strategic plan development and implementation in partnership with the district's cabinet team. Direct the Strategic Initiatives Team in executing key strategy projects across district departments and proactively provide expert strategic council to Chiefs and Executive Directors on the development of large complex bodies of work to drive the district's major initiatives forward. Responsible for evaluation, review, and reporting of Jeffco Thrives. Lead and develop a high performing team of professionals.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Work closely and regularly with the Chief of Staff and members of district Cabinet to drive the annual strategic planning process for Jeffco Thrives; and identify cross-departmental opportunities to optimize, evolve, and improve central services to positively impact the overall Jeffco vision and direction.
Focus on, and personally undertake, new entrepreneurial or incubator projects, special initiatives, pilot programs, and/or special projects in support of student outcomes and of interest to the cabinet team.
Identify opportunities for synergy and strategic alignment among various district programs and projects; identify and mitigate risks, delivering a coordinated cross departmental strategy; and ensure the vital interests of the district are executed as planned.
Ensure strategic plan initiatives and priorities have continued relevance; goals are regularly updated; and corrective measures are identified and executed as context and/or conditions change.
Establish performance indicators and metrics to track the progress and effectiveness of strategic initiatives; conducting regular evaluations and making adjustments as needed.
Lead and manage the workflows and resources of the strategy team to prioritize programs and projects; align schedules and resources; and manage deliverables related to Jeffco Thrives. Ensure key opportunity and deadline dates are met with high quality deliverables, vetted through the appropriate stakeholders, and communicated effectively.
Communicate progress, results, and achievements related to strategic initiatives to key stakeholders through presentations, reports, and other communication channels, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Successfully define, evolve, and continuously improve the district's practice related to managing and executing on its portfolio of prioritized strategy projects. Ensure that all of Jeffco's strategy work is designed, structured, and delivered at the highest possible level of quality, strategic rigor, and with student outcomes at the center.
Grow the depth, breadth, and offerings that the Strategic Initiatives team delivers to the organization in service of schools; maximize the effectiveness and responsiveness of the strategic initiatives team.
Identify, interface with, and manage external consultants and industry experts for the purposes of accelerating and/or adding capacity to the district's strategic projects and priorities.
Seek and secure opportunities to elevate Jeffco's best practices and learnings locally, state-wide, and nationally through after-action reviews and public presentations.
Other duties as assigned
EXPERIENCE Two years of Manager or Senior Manager level experience in an area responsible for policy experience, program evaluation, or research and analysis. Preferably in K-12 education field or on projects impacting stakeholders similar to those in Jeffco Public Schools.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Bachelor's Degree required.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None required. Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Experience leading organizational change initiatives, including the ability to navigate challenges, overcome resistance, and drive adoption of new strategies and processes. Demonstrated leadership and communication skills to motivate teams, foster collaboration, and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Capacity to think critically and strategically; anticipate future trends; and identify opportunities for growth and innovation. Proficiency in project management methodologies to effectively ensure timely and successful completion. Ability to gather and analyze data, assess performance metrics, and make data-driven decisions. Knowledge of risk assessment and mitigation strategies to anticipate and address potential challenges and minimize organizational risk. Understanding of financial principles and budget management to allocate resources strategically.
SPAN OF CONTROL Supervise the Strategic Initiatives team, including Directors and Assistant Directors, Coordinator, and Project Manager. Oversee work of contractors and vendors related to projects.
The physical demands, mental functions, and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to analyze complex situations, identify potential risks, and devise effective solutions. Ability to remain flexible in dynamic environments, adjusting plans and strategies as necessary to accommodate changing requirements or circumstances. Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other teams. Ability to manage time and priorities to meet deadlines.
WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is primarily performed in typical office building. May occasionally visit school sites to meet with staff or attend events/meetings.

Jeffco Salary Schedules

Jeffco Benefits

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.