Vice President, Academics
ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools was founded based on the belief that all young people, regardless of zip code, are capable of achieving at high levels. Alliance is now one of the largest and more successful public charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing middle and high schools serving 13,000 scholars in Los Angeles’ more educationally underserved communities. In our 15th school year, Alliance has a proven record of success: though our scholars come to Alliance on average four grade-levels behind in reading, 95% of Alliance graduates have been accepted to college—including 73% to a four-year university in 2018. We strive to truly change the life trajectories of our scholars and communities, with a goal of 75% of Alliance graduates completing a four-year college degree. Now is the time to join our collaborative community to make long-lasting change across Los Angeles.
ROLE SUMMARY
At Alliance, we believe that all of our scholars can achieve at high levels. That’s why we’ve raised our aspirations – to be in the top quartile of all schools in California and ensure our scholars enroll in and graduate from college. The Vice President, Academics Team, is charged with ensuring that all scholars have access to daily instruction that prepares them for success in college. As a leader in Alliance’s academic division, the VP, Academic Team, reports directly to the Chief Academic Officer and manages the division’s Content Teams (Humanities, Math, Science and Intervention).
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Provide departmental leadership, organizational academic strategy and direction, and systems-level thinking.
- Collaboratively set and monitor annual instructional priorities and strategies to guide the team’s strategic plan; rally a diverse group of staff around common goals;
- Provide input and direction in the design and refinement of Alliance’s academic model to ensure a high-quality instructional program in grades 6-12, aligned to Alliance’s college success mission, including the network’s transition to SAT, roll-out of a network-wide intervention model and reexamination of its Advanced Placement program.
- In partnership with Alliance’s Academic Strategic Initiatives, Special Education and English Language Learner teams, accelerate the performance of all students across the network, which includes building and implementing research-based and systematic intervention model options across schools.
Collaboratively lead the network’s instructional supports, tools and professional development.
- In partnership with the Managing Instructional Superintendent on the Schools Team, co-manage the network’s Collaborative School Support Model to provide high-quality and differentiated instructional support to all schools with the goal of increasing learning outcomes for all scholars;
- Through regular visits to school sites, provide coaching and support in schools to direct reports and/or other team members who support schools that increase their efficacy in improving instruction;
- Design and refine tools, guidance and training for school leadership teams to implement a high-quality instructional cycle (observation and feedback, student work and data analysis, and intellectual preparation) that results in improved classroom practice;
- Support the design and facilitation of robust professional development for school leaders, school leadership teams and teachers.
Lead a large, complex department with attention to team culture and satisfaction.
- Lead and develop an engaged, diverse and effective team of 10-15 staff, including five direct reports, through effective recruiting, training, coaching, motivating, team building, and succession planning;
- Model and facilitate “best in class” team culture practices, such as valuing diverse perspectives, and working across lines of differences;
- Manage the professional growth of direct reports to build a strong Academic leadership “bench.”
THE IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE/BE:
- Belief in and alignment with Alliance’s core beliefs and philosophy;
- Ability to set a clear, common vision and bar for exceptional teaching in grades 6-12 across a variety of stakeholders;
- A record of achievement leading research-based academic strategy, implementation and approaches that radically improve scholar performance; including ability to differentiate strategy and approaches between middle and high schools to best address developmental needs to scholars;
- Previous experience as a successful school leader serving high-need populations (preferred);
- Knowledge of the Common Core State Standards and the instructional shifts, the Next Generation Science Standards, the SAT, Advanced Placement courses, and the California Assessment of Scholar Progress and Performance (Smarter Balanced) as well as current effective academic practices that are being implemented at other districts/networks;
- Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of established, entrepreneurial schools with their own unique strengths and needs. This includes building strong relationships with teachers, school leaders, Instructional Superintendents and other home office and school-based staff;
- Exceptional problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to effectively guide adult learners and lead change management efforts and develop scalable systems;
- Experience managing people and cross-functional teams, programs, projects and initiatives; motivating a wide variety of stakeholders to embrace and successfully reach ambitious goals;
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Strong organization, time management, and follow-through skills; high sense of urgency; and,
- Willingness to go above and beyond to lead and contribute to the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required;
- 8 (8) years of full-time, professional experience in a public education system or organization serving high-need population with at least five (5) years in a supervisory and leadership role;
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance is committed to equity and transparency for our team and offer competitive salaries commensurate with experience and education, as well as an employer-sponsored 403b plan annual contribution equal to 5% of regular earnings, and a comprehensive group health benefits package, including medical, dental and vision. This position is exempt. The compensation range for this position is $122,000 - $160,000.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter. Please note that only candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
Alliance College-Ready Public Schools are free public charter schools which do not discriminate against any student, parent, community member, or employee on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.