Qureos Mentor

IDEA Public Charter School

Senior Director of School ProgramsAbout the OrganizationIDEA Public Charter School serves approximately 350 students in Grades 9&ndash;12 in the Deanwood community of Ward 7 in Northeast Washington, DC. As one of the city&rsquo;s first charter schools, IDEA PCS has proudly served students and families for more than 25 years. Our mission is to prepare students with the academic, social, leadership, and occupational skills for post-secondary opportunities and to be responsible citizens who contribute to the community.As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school, IDEA PCS offers five CTE pathways&mdash;Business Management, Carpentry, Child Care and Development, Computer Science, and Cosmetology. These programs provide students with rigorous coursework, hands-on experience, and opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials that open doors to high-demand careers and economic mobility. Beyond classroom instruction, we are committed to expanding work-based learning experiences so that students graduate career-ready. Our goal is to be the District&rsquo;s premier option for high-quality CTE programming.IDEA PCS is in the midst of an exciting and ambitious transformation. We are seeking leaders who are deeply committed to accelerating student achievement and driving strong outcomes for our scholars. Over the past two years, the school has made substantial progress&mdash;including a nearly 40% increase in the four-year graduation rate, a 100% college acceptance rate for the most recent graduating class, and significant gains across many other academic and organizational indicators.While we are proud of these achievements, we recognize that significant work still lies ahead. To build on our momentum, we seek leaders who not only share our commitment to serving historically underserved students but who can also move fast and execute at an exceptionally high level. We need individuals with strong attention to detail, a sense of urgency, and a proven ability to deliver results&mdash;leaders who can translate vision into action and help propel IDEA PCS to even higher levels of excellence.About the RoleThe Senior Director of School Programs (SDSP) serves as the organizational leader responsible for the oversight of all student-facing programs, including academics, enrichment, student support, school culture, and post-secondary programs. This newly created role provides systems-level leadership, ensuring coherence, coordination, and high-quality execution across the school&rsquo;s programmatic departments.The SDSP directly manages the program directors who lead each component of the school program and must therefore be an exceptional manager of managers. The role requires the ability to rapidly understand the structure, purpose, and effectiveness of each program area and person and to use that knowledge to guide, support, and hold directors accountable for strong results.The SDSP ensures that all school programs are strategically aligned, operationally sound, and implemented at a consistently high level across the organization. The SDSP is responsible for monitoring and improving organizational performance, including outcomes on the ASPIRE accountability framework. Through managing directors, leading strategic initiatives, and overseeing progress toward key performance indicators, the SDSP drives continuous improvement and ensures high-quality execution of the school&rsquo;s programmatic vision, which is set by the CEO and is informed by a wide range of stakeholders.Unlike a traditional principal role, the SDSP does not directly manage teachers or school operations. Instead, each program area is led by a director who holds primary responsibility for execution within their domain. The SDSP provides strategic leadership to these directors, ensuring alignment, accountability, and coherence across the organization. In this structure, the SDSP functions as the leader of leaders, guiding a team of department heads who each operate with significant autonomy and ownership over their respective program areas.Key Responsibilities1. Management of Directors<ul><li>Directly supervise and coach program directors, including the Director of Math &amp; Science, Director of Humanities, Director of Electives, Director of Assessments &amp; CTE Programs, Director of Culture, and Director of Special Education (additional roles may be assigned).</li></ul><ul><li>Hold directors accountable for meeting clearly defined performance metrics, deadlines, and organizational outcomes, ensuring alignment with the school&rsquo;s strategic priorities.</li></ul><ul><li>Regularly review directors&rsquo; work products, systems, and implementation to ensure accuracy, quality, and fidelity. Provide actionable guidance to strengthen systems and improve execution.</li></ul><ul><li>Conduct ongoing one-on-one meetings, performance reviews, and strategic planning sessions to monitor progress, identify gaps, and ensure timely corrective action when needed.</li></ul><ul><li>Develop directors as organizational leaders by providing targeted feedback, modeling effective management practices, and supporting their professional growth.</li></ul>The SDSP manages managers as opposed to front-line staff.2. Systems Design, Implementation, and MonitoringEnsure the development, alignment, and consistent implementation of high-quality schoolwide systems, including but not limited to the following:<ul><li>Curriculum planning, review, and implementation fidelity</li><li>Instructional quality assurance and observation frameworks</li><li>Academic performance management and data cycles</li><li>Assessment administration, analysis, and progress monitoring</li><li>MTSS and student support structures</li><li>School culture frameworks and behavior support systems</li><li>Attendance and engagement systems</li><li>Scheduling, credit accumulation tracking, and academic records accuracy</li><li>CTE program systems, including IRC tracking and work-based learning</li><li>Professional development planning and instructional coaching structures</li><li>Cross-functional coordination across academics, student support, and operations</li><li>Compliance systems related to academics, assessments, SPED, CTE, and reporting</li></ul>Use data to evaluate the system effectiveness, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement across all programmatic areas.3. Compliance, Performance Oversight, and Accountability<ul><li>Oversee programmatic compliance across academics, special education, student support, assessment administration, attendance, and CTE, ensuring all systems meet regulatory and organizational requirements.</li></ul><ul><li>Ensure that directors maintain accurate records, follow policies and procedures, and meet all internal and external reporting deadlines.</li></ul><ul><li>Monitor, manage, and drive performance across all ASPIRE metrics with the explicit goal of ensuring IDEA PCS achieves a Level 2 or higher on the ASPIRE framework. This includes overseeing the underlying drivers of ASPIRE performance&mdash;such as ELA and Math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, 9th grade on-track, graduation rate, and college acceptance, among others. Implement corrective actions when indicators fall below targets.</li></ul><ul><li>Ensure alignment with IDEA PCS charter goals and internal KPIs to support continuous improvement and organizational success.</li></ul>4. Stakeholder Coordination &amp; Communication<ul><li>Facilitate effective communication across departments to ensure alignment in expectations, systems, and execution.</li></ul><ul><li>Support directors in communicating priorities, decisions, and implementation guidance to their teams.</li></ul><ul><li>Serve as the primary point person for urgent or escalated school issues&mdash;including concerns from families, staff, or community stakeholders&mdash;and coordinate timely, appropriate responses.</li></ul><ul><li>Communicate regularly with the CEO regarding emerging needs, risks, program gaps, and opportunities for improvement, ensuring proactive problem-solving and organizational coherence.</li></ul>5. Additional Responsibilities<ul><li>Lead special strategic initiatives as assigned by the CEO.</li></ul><ul><li>Support the development and implementation of new programs, partnerships, and organizational initiatives.</li></ul><ul><li>Serve as a strategic thought partner in redesigning systems to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes.</li></ul><ul><li>Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by assuming critical tasks or responsibilities when organizational needs arise&mdash;including temporarily covering duties from vacated or transitional roles&mdash;to ensure continuity of operations and support for students.</li></ul><ul><li>Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO based on the evolving needs and priorities of the school.</li></ul>Qualifications<ul><li>Bachelor&rsquo;s degree required (advanced degree preferred)</li><li>Minimum of 7 years of leadership experience in K&ndash;12 schools or educational organizations.</li><li>Demonstrated success leading managers or directors.</li><li>Demonstrated success in improving both student and school-wide outcomes.</li><li>Strong strategic planning, project management, and systems-thinking abilities.</li><li>Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn new systems, processes, and organizational priorities.</li><li>Proven ability to implement effective academic, student support, and/or operational systems.</li><li>Strong desire to work in a school-based environment (this is not a central office role).</li><li>Commitment to the mission of IDEA PCS and to serving historically underserved student populations.</li></ul>Key Competencies<ul><li>Extreme Ownership and Personal Accountability: Takes full responsibility for outcomes; solves problems without excuses; closes gaps proactively; operates with a &ldquo;do whatever it takes&rdquo; mindset.</li></ul><ul><li>Bias Toward Action and Speed: Acts quickly, decisively, and thoughtfully; moves work forward without delay; executes with urgency in service of students and organizational goals.</li></ul><ul><li>Adaptability and Flexibility: Thrives in a fast-moving environment; adjusts quickly to shifting priorities; willingly takes on new or unexpected responsibilities to meet organizational needs.</li></ul><ul><li>High-Level Problem Solving and Critical Thinking: Breaks down complex issues; identifies root causes; generates innovative, practical solutions; anticipates challenges before they arise.</li></ul><ul><li>Grit and Resilience: Maintains high performance under pressure; persists through obstacles; demonstrates stamina and commitment in the face of demanding circumstances.</li></ul><ul><li>Systems-Thinking and Organizational Leadership: Understands how decisions influence interconnected systems; designs and improves structures that drive coherence and results.</li></ul><ul><li>Strategic Planning and Execution: Develops clear, actionable plans and delivers against them with precision; aligns people, resources, and timelines to achieve ambitious goals.</li></ul><ul><li>Managing Leaders to Achieve Outcomes: Holds directors to high standards; provides rigorous feedback; drives accountability for programmatic and organizational performance.</li></ul><ul><li>Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds strong relationships across teams; integrates work across academics, operations, and student support; communicates with clarity and purpose.</li></ul><ul><li>Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses quantitative and qualitative data to assess performance, inform strategy, and drive continuous improvement.</li></ul><ul><li>Initiative and Resourcefulness: Identifies opportunities, challenges, and gaps without being prompted; takes action early; finds ways to get the job done even with limited resources.</li></ul><ul><li>High Follow-Through and Reliability: Meets deadlines, honors commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality work.</li></ul>CompensationThe annual salary range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000 and is commensurate with experience and demonstrated expertise. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement plans, and paid time off.Additional DetailsThe position is based in Washington, D.C. and is a fully in-person role that includes periodic participation in school events outside of regular work hours.Reports To: Chief Executive OfficerSupervises: Director of Math &amp; Science, Director of Humanities, Director of Electives, Director of Special Education, Director of Assessments &amp; CTE Programs, Director of School CultureWork Schedule: 12-month position, generally Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (attendance at some school events will be required outside of these hours)FLSA Status: ExemptPay: $140,000.00 - $170,000.00 per yearBenefits:<ul><li>Dental insurance</li><li>Health insurance</li><li>Life insurance</li><li>Paid time off</li><li>Relocation assistance</li><li>Retirement plan</li><li>Vision insurance</li></ul>Experience:<ul><li>management: 7 years (Preferred)</li></ul>Work Location: In person

Senior Director of School Programs

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IDEA Public Charter School

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Senior Director of School Programs