Director of Culture, Climate and Youth Leadership

THE ROLE

LEAD Charter School seeks an exceptional Director of Culture, Climate and Youth Leadership to join our mission-driven community. Our goal is to transform equity through opportunities for young people in Newark. The Director will support student success by maintaining a positive school culture, implementing behavior and academic interventions, and addressing the unique needs of opportunity youth.

In addition, the Dean will serve as the school-based leader for youth leadership development, student voice, and civic engagement, ensuring students are not only supported but empowered as leaders within the school and broader community. This role requires a strong leader who can balance student-centered support, leadership development, and data-driven decision-making to ensure all students thrive academically, socially, and as emerging leaders.

WHO WE ARE

The mission of LEAD is to enable students ages 16–21 in grades 9–12 to master essential skills for success in careers, postsecondary education, and community leadership within a global society. We implement the Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN) school model, supporting the unique academic and non-academic needs of students who have disengaged from traditional schooling.

At LEAD Charter School, we are a vibrant school community that holds an unwavering belief in the power of young people to transform their lives and their communities. We are dedicated practitioners of research-based youth development practices and systems, ensuring every student receives a tailored, personalized, and strengths-based learning experience. As passionate advocates of opportunity youth, we strive to provide the necessary support and opportunities for our students to succeed.

WHAT OUR STAFF SAY

• "Being at LEAD has accelerated my career trajectory in ways that I could never imagine. I feel valued, supported, and empowered."
• 100% of LEAD staff feel they are trusted as professionals 
• 96% of LEAD staff feel supported in their work and professional development 
• 95% of LEAD staff feel they’re treated with respect 
• 91% of LEAD staff say supervisors encourage feedback and suggestions 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• 3 years of experience working with youth in an urban district or charter school setting with an explicit focus on building rapport and trust 
• Ability to work with a diverse, multicultural staff and students 
• Familiarity with alternative education and school-to-career practices 
• Proficiency in Efforts-to-Outcome (ETO) software 
• Commitment to NOYN school model and implementation with fidelity 
• Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, including student leadership and youth development initiatives 
• Ability to effectively network with public and private sector stakeholders 
• Experience in developing and implementing program management systems and procedures 
• Demonstrated ability to multitask effectively and prioritize strategically 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including use of office productivity software 

HOW YOU WILL THRIVE

• Professional Development: Weekly half-day sessions tailored to support your growth 
• Career Advancement: Opportunities to lead school initiatives, including student leadership and culture-building work 
• Supportive Environment: Work with a dedicated, talented, and collaborative staff 
• Impact: Directly shape student outcomes, school culture, and youth leadership development 
• Career Bonus: Yearly re-signing bonus 

BENEFITS

• Paid Time Off Summer Vacation 
• Health/Vision/Dental Benefits 
• Enrollment in NJ Pension 
• HealthEquity (Employer-paid HRA debit card) 
• 100% Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability 
• 100% Employer-Paid Talkspace Access 
• MetLife Legal Plan & Identity Protection 
• Laptop & Supplies for all staff members 
• Training & Professional Development 

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Support and Development

• Serve as a primary advocate and resource for students, providing guidance, counseling, and conflict resolution in collaboration with staff and families 
• Lead interventions for students who are at risk academically, socially, or behaviorally, using data to assess progress and adjust strategies 
• Work closely with teachers, counselors, and administrators to address student needs and ensure their success 
• Create and implement programs that promote positive behavior, social-emotional development, personal accountability, and leadership capacity 
• Effectively contribute to the execution of the student registration process, including Mental Toughness planning, facilitation, and reflection 

School Culture and Climate

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive school environment aligned with the school’s mission and values 
• Display respect toward the rights and feelings of students, encouraging a culture of mutual respect 
• Promote student leadership, ownership, and engagement through school-wide initiatives 
• Lead the development and implementation of behavior management strategies aligned with restorative practices 
• Serve as a role model for positive behavior, academic success, personal integrity, and civic responsibility 

Youth Leadership Development & Student Voice

• Serve as the on-site lead for youth leadership development, ensuring alignment with LEAD’s mission and Opportunity Youth model 
• Monitor and sustain a coherent student leadership pipeline that provides access and growth opportunities for all students 
• Facilitate a Youth Policy Council, ensuring authentic student voice in school decision-making 
• Develop and oversee student leadership opportunities (e.g., peer leaders, ambassadors, facilitators) 
• Lead and manage community service programming, ensuring meaningful engagement and connection to student growth 
• Build systems for student reflection, skill development, and accountability within leadership and service experiences 
• Coordinate and prepare students for external advocacy opportunities (local, state, and national) 
• Serve as liaison with external partners to elevate student voice beyond the school 

Curriculum Collaboration

• Partner with the academic team to embed youth leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy into curriculum and instruction 
• Support teachers in integrating leadership competencies into classroom practice 

Strategic Partnerships:

• Develop and nurture relationships with community organizations, businesses, and colleges/universities to create additional opportunities for alumni and families.
• Partner with local employers and post-secondary institutions to establish internship, employment, and scholarship opportunities for alumni.
• Understands and demonstrates effective partnership management across agencies to effectively serve the needs of participants; ensure partnerships reflect education and training providers, the workforce investment system, employers, the juvenile justice system, and faith-based and community-based organizations.
• Displays a high level of effort and commitment to performing work; operates effectively within the organizational structure; demonstrates trustworthiness and responsible behavior.
• Participate in weekly education team meetings, full-staff meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, and other small group/special project meetings, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned by an appropriate administrator or their designee
• Adheres to and promotes the philosophy and objectives of the school and the Board of Trustees.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Collaborate with school leaders to implement school-wide policies and initiatives 
• Provide mentorship and support to staff in addressing student needs and cultivating leadership 
• Lead or participate in professional development related to student support, behavior management, and youth leadership 
• Serve as part of the school’s response team for crises and high-risk student issues 
• Participate in all required meetings and uphold the mission and expectations of the school and Board of Trustees 
• Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and strong organizational commitment 
• The Director (school-level) and Manager of Youth Leadership Development (CMO-level) would work in close partnership:
  
  
• The Director executes programming and ensures strong student engagement on the ground
• The Manager provides guidance, resources, and accountability, while elevating student work to broader platforms
• All related duties

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND EVALUATION

• This is a full-time, 12-month position 
• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience 
• The Director will be evaluated annually based on: 
• Student culture and climate outcomes 
• Effectiveness of student support systems and interventions 
• Implementation and impact of youth leadership development programming 
• Student engagement in leadership, service, and advocacy opportunities 
• Contribution to overall school performance and team collaboration