Senior Director of Schools

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Schools serves in a dual-capacity leadership role, providing district-wide strategic leadership for PK–12 schools, inclusionary practices, and the Teaching and Learning department, while also serving as principal of a small elementary school. 

This position ensures alignment, coherence, and continuous improvement across all schools while directly leading one school community. The role focuses on increasing student achievement, strengthening instructional systems, supporting principals and staff, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties of this position include the following.  Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks.  Other duties may be assigned.

1. DISTRICT-LEVEL LEADERSHIP (SENIOR DIRECTOR ROLE)

1. Instructional Leadership & Coherence (PK-12)
1. Lead the development and implementation of a cohesive PK–12 instructional vision focused on inclusionary practices and student success.
2. Ensure alignment of curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices across all schools.
3. Monitor student achievement data and guide school improvement efforts.
2. School Supervision & Support
1. Supervise, coach, and evaluate school principals (as assigned) across the PK-12 continuum.
2. Facilitate principal collaboration, professional learning, and leadership development.
3. Build leadership capacity across schools.
3. Teaching & Learning Department Oversight
1. Oversee the Teaching and Learning department, including MTSS, inclusionary practices, literacy, math, behavior systems, and SEL.
2. Ensure compliance with Special Education, Title, 504, and ML requirements.
3. Support implementation of research-based instructional practices.
4. Oversee the Early Learning Department and Programs.
4. Strategic Planning & Improvement
1. Align school initiatives with the District Strategic Plan.
2. Lead continuous improvement processes across schools.
3. Identify and address systemic inequities in student outcomes.
5. Budget & Resource Allocation
1. Collaborate on the development and oversight of the schools budgets.
2. Allocate resources strategically to maximize student outcomes.
6. Policy & Compliance
1. Ensure adherence to district policies, state laws, and federal regulations.
2. Support schools in implementing policies with fidelity.
7. Community & Stakeholder Engagement
1. Foster partnerships with families, community organizations, and early learning providers.
2. Communicate district priorities and progress.

1. SCHOOL-LEVEL LEADERSHIP (PRINCIPAL ROLE)

1. School Management
• Plan, organize, and administer all school operations and programs.
• Ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment.
2. Instructional Leadership
• Lead high-quality teaching and learning aligned with district expectations.
• Use data to drive instructional decisions and interventions.
3. Staff Supervision & Development
• Supervise and evaluate all school personnel.
• Build a collaborative, high-performing professional culture.
4. School Climate & Culture
• Promote a positive, inclusive school climate centered on student voice and belonging.
• Implement effective behavior systems and supports.
5. Family & Community Engagement
• Build strong relationships with families, PTO, and community partners.
• Communicate school goals, progress, and needs.
6. Budget & Operations
• Manage school budget and resources responsibly.
• Oversee facilities, maintenance, and daily operations.
7. Student Services & Compliance
• Ensure implementation of student discipline policies and support systems.
• Maintain compliance with all district and state requirements.

1. INTEGRATED RESPONSIBILITIES (BLENDED ROLE)

1. Serve as a model school leader, demonstrating best practices that can be scaled across the district.
2. Pilot and refine district initiatives within the principal site before broader implementation.
3. Ensure two-way communication between district leadership and schools.
4. Balance time effectively between district-wide leadership and site-based responsibilities.
5. Support consistency across schools while honoring individual school identities.
6. Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director of Schools supervises school and district employees in accordance with the district’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; assigning and directing work; appraising performance; disciplining employees; and addressing concerns and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Valid Oregon Professional Administrative License (to lead at the district & school level).
2. Successful experience as a school building principal (required).
3. District leadership at the director level or above (required).
4. Minimum 3 years experience as a school building principal and 3 years at the district level (required). The district may consider variations of this experience equivalent to 6 years leadership level experience. 
5. Strong background in standards-based curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
6. Knowledge and experience in MTSS systems and implementation at the school and district level. 
7. Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
8. Knowledge of Oregon laws, standards, and accountability systems.
9. Experience with Special Education, Title, 504, and Multilingual Learner programs.
10. Proven ability to lead systems-level change and continuous improvement at the school and district level.
11. Strong skills in data analysis and instructional leadership.
12. Bilingual English / Spanish  (preferred)
13. Experience supervising and coaching administrators (preferred) and staff (required).
14. Ability to build relationships with diverse shareholders and community partners.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; and use hand dexterity for the computer work and keyboarding skills at a minimum of 45 words per minute, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand for extended periods of time. May need to bend, kneel, squat as needed on occasion. The employee must lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 30 pounds.. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Perform work beyond a standard 40-hour work week when workload requires.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Senior Director of Schools will work beyond an eight-hour day and a five-day week to take care of daily work, attend meetings, conferences and district/school activities. A substantial portion of the work will involve conflict resolution and sensitive, highly confidential student and employee information and communication. Requests and issues are often received which require immediate attention, sound judgment and responsiveness.

This position combines district and site leadership responsibilities and may require extended hours, flexible scheduling, and travel between sites.

Salary : $160,000 - $170,000