Chief Academic Officer

Chief Academic Officer

Reports to: Superintendent

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE:
The purpose of this position is to lead the strategic vision and direction for the instructional and pedagogical approach to Rowan-Salisbury Schools’ academic programs and is essential to accomplishing Rowan-Salisbury Schools’ goals and priorities. The Chief Academic Officer is the leader, spokesperson, and district expert on curriculum, instruction, pedagogy, and learning. This role works to establish a culture of high expectations, collaboration and shared responsibility for equitable access to high quality instruction. The Chief Academic Officer builds and supports collaboration between district functional areas and schools to ensure closer alignment of district resources with school needs. The Chief Academic Officer implements an instructional plan for the district that ensures effective teaching in every classroom, for every student, and that supports systemic improvement of practice over time. The Chief Academic Officer is responsible for supervision of the Schools Team including all Executive Directors of Schools.  This position is employed through a contractual agreement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Instructional Leadership 

• Lead the execution of and implementation of a vision for rigorous, standards-aligned, instruction and support for every classroom. 
• Build and lead a highly effective, collaborative, innovative academic services department that is assessed on the ability to continually improve instructional practices.
• Direct, coordinate, and evaluate all academic service areas including MTSS through the effective use of data analyzation and research based strategies.  
• Coordinate and support staff to develop, implement, and evaluate project plans and strategies to achieve goals and objectives as well as complete a systematic review and analysis of plans. 
• Represent the instructional leadership role on the Superintendent's Executive Cabinet and responsible for assisting with long-range strategic planning, developing system-wide budgets, plans, and policies.
• Provide support for informed decision-making by the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet by monitoring and effectively interpreting the latest research, trends and development in all areas of education. 
• Collaborate with the Schools Team, Executive Directors, Directors, and Program Managers of all academic areas in using data to inform instructional decisions and to drive district continuous improvement with a focus on maximizing renewal flexibility. 
• Monitor the work of the Schools Team in devising, implementing and executing a plan of action for school improvement.
• Work collaboratively with cross-departmental teams in Research and Accountability, Student Services, and Technology Services to ensure support of all teachers and the effective delivery of instructional programs and services. 
• Engage a variety of stakeholders including other school systems, community agencies, local colleges & universities, and research laboratories to promote shared learning. 
• Build the capacity of district teachers and leaders to implement engaging and inclusive practices for all students. 
• Collaborate with the Schools Team to ensure that initiatives for school leaders are coordinated and integrate both academic content and instructional strategies.
• Monitor the coordination of all district professional development efforts including MTSS and the implementation of new and existing educational programs. 
• Act as the district liaison to the Board of Education on matters concerning curriculum and instruction, and the development of policies. 

School Support Leadership 

• Collaborate with principals and the Schools Team to build strong core instruction and provide tiered support and resources for a variety of school settings through the implementation of school based data meetings. 
• Collaborate with the Schools Team to provide frequent, actionable feedback as well as opportunities for professional development to build the skills of principals in leadership, instruction and management resulting in gains in academic achievement for students.
• Provide leadership to the Schools Team in the development, implementation and evaluation of principals including providing authentic and actionable feedback.  
• Support school renewal efforts by monitoring the progress of school performance, and student achievement with a lens of how they are doing school differently. 
• Support all educators in providing rigorous, engaging, authentic, and personalized experiences for all students. 
• Collaborate with leaders to develop, organize and implement models of technical assistance for all schools. 
• Create opportunities for teachers to reflect on their practice while engaging in the systemic improvement of practice over time in every classroom. 
• Strategically manage and allocate resources (including money, people, time, etc.) aligned to students' needs. 
• Ensure the implementation of programs to fidelity at the school level including the implementation of the district strategic plan. 

Managerial Leadership:

• Prepare and manage a comprehensive budget that includes all assigned areas. 
• Supervise and evaluate personnel in the instructional services department by providing authentic feedback. 
• Responsible for recruitment, selection, and placement of personnel within the instructional services department. 
• Supervise the overall management of curriculum and instruction as related to the total educational program and services of the school system. 
• Collaborate with Human Resources and Finance on allotments and professional development funding. 
• Implement board policy and federal/state rules and regulations. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

• Ability to analyze and evaluate complex issues and information and use sound judgment in making decisions and interpreting policies, programs, and rules for the public and staff. 
• Possess strong skills in collaborative leadership to support the district’s vision and promote open communication  
• Ability to think creatively and innovatively to address the emerging needs of teaching and learning in a renewal district framework.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze data, identify trends, and diagnose root causes. 
• Demonstrate excellent project management skills, including close attention to detail, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines. 
• Thorough knowledge of the process to design, implement, and build the instructional capacity of all staff through the professional learning community framework.  

• Thorough knowledge of educational trends, developments, principles, practices, and pedagogy and how they interrelate to student learning. 
• Thorough technical knowledge of curriculum development and MTSS. 
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines as they pertain to the assigned programs and activities. 
• Thorough knowledge of leadership, change processes, management, team development and structure, organization and administrative techniques and the ability to apply them in managing academic services organizational structure. 
• Ability to plan, organize, implement, and evaluate comprehensive district wide initiatives. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with district and school staff, public officials, and the general public. 
• Ability to communicate and represent the school system effectively in oral and written form. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Minimum: Master's Degree in Education in an area related to curriculum and instruction  
• Desirable: Doctorate in Educational Leadership with 10 years successful experience with professional supervision, staff development, curriculum development, school administration, and budget preparations and management. 

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: 

• Licensed from NC Department of Public Instruction as Superintendent and/or Principal. 

SALARY: 

• Paid on the Central Office Leadership Scale for Chief Officers