Executive Director of Innovation Schools

Executive Summary

The Executive Director of Innovation Schools (EDIS) will serve as the chief architect and steward of Springfield Innovation Schools, ensuring that the schools maintain high performance, deep community alignment, and sustainable innovation, anchored in the values of equity, excellence, and empowerment.

Position Overview

The EDIS will be responsible for the leadership, oversight, and performance of all Springfield Innovation Schools. This role ensures that the schools operate with the autonomy necessary to thrive while aligning with Springfield Public Schools (SPS) goals. The EDIS will manage relationships with school leaders, community stakeholders and district leadership. The EDIS will also lead strategic planning, performance accountability, resource allocation, and operational coordination in support of student success.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the successful transition from Springfield Empowerment Zone (SEZP) to Springfield Innovation Schools.
• Serve as the primary representative and decision-maker for Springfield Innovation Schools, accountable to SPS and the Springfield School Committee.
• Implement and uphold all terms of the collective bargaining agreement, assuming the roles formerly assigned to the SEZP board.
• Maintain and evolve a continuous improvement model across all SIS campuses, centered on data-driven planning, reflection, and innovation.

School Performance & Accountability

• Oversee the development, review, and approval of annual school plans and campus-specific goals.
• Monitor school progress toward goals; report results to SPS and the Springfield School Committee.
• Evaluate school leadership performance and make recommendations regarding leadership assignments, hiring, and contract renewal.

Operations & Budget Management

• Collaborate with SPS to develop and manage per-pupil funding models and ensure timely submission of operating budgets.
• Oversee the allocation of resources and purchase of discretionary and non-discretionary services from SPS.
• Ensure the financial sustainability of SIS and compliance with all applicable laws and policies.

Human Capital & Talent Management

• Recruit, evaluate, and retain exceptional school leaders in collaboration with SPS.
• Approve and coordinate staffing assignments in partnership with SPS HR, ensuring that Innovation School staff are placed with the consent of SPIS.
• Uphold and expand upon teacher voice and leadership through structures like Teacher Leadership Teams (TLTs).

Family, Community & District Engagement

• Foster strong family and community partnerships that support student success.
• Coordinate with SPS on student recruitment, enrollment, transportation, facilities, and district-wide programming.
• Represent SIS in district, city, and state forums as a visionary leader of school innovation.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in education or related educational field required; advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of ten years’ experience in education, including teaching, school building and central office administrative experience; or any combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Minimum seven years experience as an administrator in urban public education;
• Must possess MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Administrative Licensure;
• Demonstrated ability to improve teaching and learning evidenced by data
• Proven track record of school, district, or system-level leadership focused on equity and academic excellence.
• Deep understanding of innovative school models, autonomy-driven strategies, and urban education landscapes.
• Experience working with labor agreements, budgeting, performance evaluation, and strategic planning.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills across diverse communities.

Preferred

• Familiarity with Springfield Public Schools and/or Massachusetts public education law and policy.

Core Competencies

• Visionary Leadership
• Systems Thinking
• Strategic Planning and Execution
• Collaboration and Influence
• Accountability for Results
• Cultural Competence and Equity Mindset
• Strong Decision-Making in Complex Contexts

If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team! Come work for us!"

About our District

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff. We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence.

Join a team that Empowers Educators

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff. We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways.

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Jeremy Saint Laurent, Chief Legal Counsel in Legal Services, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55325, titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com.

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to titleix@springfieldpublicschools.com