Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation

CLASSIFICATION: ADMINISTRATIVE  

JOB TITLE: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND INNOVATION 

CALENDAR: 2611A (12 MONTH) 

SALARY: GRADE 132 ADMINISTRATOR SALARY SCHEDULE 

Job Goal: 

The Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation leads the design, launch, and evaluation of district-wide initiatives that strengthen Chandler Unified School District’s position as the first choice for families and the preferred talent partner for the region’s employers. Reporting directly to the Superintendent, the Executive Director aligns this work with CUSD’s Journey to Excellence; develops innovative programs that attract, retain, and grow enrollment in a competitive landscape that includes charter and private school options; and builds lasting partnerships with major employers, community colleges, universities, and city partners in Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and the surrounding area to align CUSD programs with regional workforce needs. The position serves as a key advisor to the Superintendent, Executive Team, and Governing Board on innovation, market position, and long-range planning. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education, or a related field required; Doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience, including at least three (3) years at the district, organizational, or executive level in strategic planning, program development, or partnership management.
• K-12 education experience strongly preferred; Arizona Administrator Certificate preferred.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with business, industry, higher education, or civic organizations; excellent human relations, decision-making, and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-departmental initiatives from design through implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of Arizona school choice and open enrollment, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and workforce development programs.
• Strong skills in data analysis, project management, grant development, communication, and public presentation.
• Valid Arizona fingerprint clearance card required prior to employment. 

Core Job Functions:

District Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Executive Team and advise the Superintendent and Governing Board on strategic priorities, innovation, and long range planning.
• Develop regulations, procedures, and plans that reflect Board policy and advance CUSD’s Journey to Excellence.
• Serve on or chair committees at the discretion of the Superintendent.
• Attend official district functions and community events as the Superintendent may direct.
• Uphold and honor all contractual agreements entered by the District.
• Respond to all correspondence in a timely manner and prepare and disseminate reports required by the Superintendent and Governing Board.
• Perform other areas of responsibility as assigned by the Superintendent.

Strategic Planning and Execution

• Establish and manage a portfolio of district-wide strategic initiatives, setting priorities and coordinating work across divisions.
• Monitor initiative progress and provide regular reports to the Superintendent, Executive Team, and Governing Board

Enrollment, Market Position, and School Choice  

• Partner with the Superintendent, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, and Executive Director of PreK-12 Student Services to analyze enrollment trends, demographic projections, open enrollment patterns, and charter and private school competition to identify opportunities to attract and retain students.
• Gather and use family, student, and community feedback, including exit and choice surveys, to guide program design and improvement.
• Develop signature and specialty programs, such as academies, STEM and innovation pathways, early college, and dual enrollment, that distinguish CUSD in a competitive market.
• Partner with the Communications department and school leaders on recruitment, retention, and marketing strategies that clearly convey the value of a CUSD education.

Industry and Workforce Partnerships  

• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with major area employers and other regional industry leaders to align District programs with current and future workforce needs.
• Expand career pathways in high-demand fields and lead the District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
• Develop work-based learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, mentoring, and industry-recognized credentials for students.
• Coordinate with higher education partners, including community colleges and universities; the Cities of Chandler, Gilbert, and Queen Creek; chambers of commerce; and economic development organizations on workforce and talent initiatives.
• Convene industry advisory councils to inform curriculum, equipment, and program decisions.

Innovation and Program Development  

• Identify, pilot, and scale innovative instructional and operational models that improve student outcomes and family satisfaction.
• Research best practices and emerging trends in K-12 education, school choice, and workforce preparation, and recommend applications for the District.
• Collaborate with the Chief of Schools, academic leaders, and principals to design and launch new programs with fidelity. Communications and Community Relations
• Serve as a District representative to business, civic, and community groups on strategic initiatives and workforce partnerships.
• Prepare and present reports, proposals, and presentations to the Governing Board, community organizations, and industry partners.
• Collaborate with Communications to tell the District’s story and share initiative outcomes with families, staff, and the community.

Professional Development  

• Recommend and provide professional development related to strategic initiatives, innovation, and industry partnerships.
• Promote an environment of equity through established processes and culturally competent practices.
• Set high standards of performance for self and others.
• Attend meetings and conferences that promote professional growth and benefit the District.

Personnel/Leadership  

• Provide leadership and supervision to staff, as assigned, including initiative, partnership, and program coordinators.
• Maintain close working relations with school-based and district-level administrators to ensure coordinated implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Effectively communicate with staff to keep them informed.
• Maintain required formal evaluation procedures for all staff under their supervision.
• Assist with interviewing, hiring, training, performance management, and, when necessary, discipline of assigned staff.  

Core Values: 

• Excellence in all we do. No matter how large or small, we value excellence in all parts of this organization. Excellence is a value, a quality, and our most important product. 
• Equity and fairness in all things. Education is the great leveler, and we intend for all our students, staff, and patrons to have the opportunity, tools, and ability to succeed and excel. 
• Collaboration is an effective decision-making model as well as an effective morale-enhancing model. 
• Integrity is simply non-negotiable. Honesty, integrity, and reliability are the foundations of our organization. 
• Efficiency is the essence of being a good steward of public trust. We are supported by our community because we continually demonstrate our ability to produce the very best by carefully using the resources available. 

Professional Qualities: 

• Respond to all internal and external customers, as it relates to position, in a prompt, efficient, friendly, and patient manner
• Function effectively as a team member
• Be responsible, reliable, and punctual
• Be flexible and adaptable to change
• Positively accept direction
• Maintain courteous, cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and parents
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis
• Be a positive role model for students
• Work with a large cross-section of people in a professional and non-judgmental manner

Physical Requirements: 

• Positions in this classification often require physical activities such as stooping, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, and sitting.
• The job involves finger or manual dexterity, repetitive finger motion, speaking, hearing, seeing (with correction), and focusing ability.
• Employees may be exposed to travel, odors, dust, poor ventilation, workspace restrictions, and loud noises.
• The work may require lifting or exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Reasonable accommodation may be available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• The physical demands described are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential job functions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Note: 

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the school/department. 

Approved 10/21/2026