Chief Schools Officer

Chief of Schools

Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS)
Tejano Center

Job Title: Chief of Schools
Reports To: Superintendent of Schools / President & CEO
Exemption Status: Exempt – Executive
Department: Schools Office
Location: Houston, Texas
Work Schedule: 12 Months

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The Tejano Center for Community Concerns (www.tejanocenter.org), based in Houston, Texas, is a multifaceted nonprofit organization committed to improving opportunities for children and families in underserved communities. Through its integrated programs—including education, housing, health, and social services—the Tejano Center empowers individuals and strengthens neighborhoods.

At the heart of this work is Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS), a PK–12 open-enrollment public charter school system serving more than 2,200 students across nine campuses. RYSS provides a rigorous academic program grounded in cultural pride, character development, and college readiness, with a commitment to delivering the highest standards of education in a culturally relevant environment.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Chief of Schools serves as the senior executive leader responsible for academic performance, instructional quality, campus leadership effectiveness, and enrollment sustainability across the RYSS network. This role provides strategic direction and operational oversight to ensure alignment with the organization's mission, compliance with Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements, charter performance standards, and delivery of high-quality educational programs that meet the needs of all students.

The Chief of Schools directly oversees principals and academic leaders and serves as the primary driver of instructional excellence, accountability performance, and continuous improvement across all campuses.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Certification

• Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or related field required.
• Valid Texas Superintendent Certificate or Mid-Management Administrator Certification required.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful school or district-level leadership experience.
• Charter school leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in instructional leadership, accountability improvement, compliance oversight, enrollment growth, and curriculum development.

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Deep knowledge of TEA accountability systems, charter school law, and federal/state education regulations.
• Expertise in curriculum design, instructional best practices, and assessment systems.
• Strong executive leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities.

Core Competencies

• Instructional Leadership: Leads curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems to improve student outcomes.
• Equity and Inclusion: Demonstrates commitment to equitable learning environments and closing achievement gaps.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses academic, operational, and enrollment data to drive strategy and improvement.
• Strategic Planning: Aligns resources, initiatives, and staff capacity with organizational goals and TEA standards.
• Change Management: Leads improvement initiatives and fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Builds trust with families, staff, governing boards, and community partners.
• Enrollment Growth & Retention: Designs and executes strategies to grow and sustain student enrollment.
• Curriculum Leadership: Ensures academic rigor, compliance, and instructional coherence across campuses.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Implement the district's vision, mission, and strategic priorities in collaboration with the Superintendent.
• Serve as the senior leader responsible for academic performance across all campuses.
• Ensure alignment between instructional goals, campus leadership, and district initiatives.

Curriculum and Instruction Leadership

• Provide direct leadership to the Schools Office to ensure alignment with TEKS, charter commitments, and RYSS academic priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of curriculum frameworks, instructional models, and assessment systems.
• Monitor instructional quality through campus visits, data reviews, and performance evaluations.
• Design and oversee professional development for principals, instructional leaders, and teachers.

Compliance and Accountability

• Ensure full compliance with TEA, state, and federal requirements, including charter performance obligations.
• Monitor accountability ratings and lead campus and district improvement planning as needed.
• Oversee academic reporting, monitoring, and audit readiness related to instructional programs.

Campus & Operational Oversight

• Supervise and evaluate campus principals and district-level academic leaders.
• Collaborate with Finance, Human Talent, and Operations to align staffing and resources with instructional priorities.
• Ensure consistent implementation of academic and operational expectations across schools.

Student Enrollment Leadership

• Lead enrollment strategy development to meet growth and sustainability targets.
• Analyze demographic trends and community needs to inform recruitment and retention strategies.
• Partner with marketing and outreach teams to promote RYSS programs and attract new families.
• Monitor enrollment, attendance, and retention data; adjust strategies proactively.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a key liaison between the Superintendent and campus leadership teams.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with parents, community partners, and governing bodies.
• Represent RYSS in community forums, meetings, and public engagements as assigned.

Personnel Leadership

• Assist in recruiting, developing, and retaining high-quality campus and district leaders.
• Implement and monitor performance evaluation systems for principals and instructional leaders.
• Support leadership succession planning and talent development.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct supervision of campus principals, curriculum and instruction leaders, and district-level directors as assigned by the Superintendent.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent districtwide travel; occasional overnight travel.
• Extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, as required to support schools and district operations.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Demonstrated improvement in student academic outcomes and accountability performance.
• Effective leadership of campus principals and instructional systems.
• Strong compliance record and operational alignment.
• Collaborative, visible, and mission-driven executive leadership presence.