Chief of Schools, Network

Position: Chief of Schools, Options Network
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.

Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

District-run CPS schools are organized into 18 networks and are provided administrative support, strategic direction, and leadership development by the Office of Network Support (ONS). By eliminating a one-size-fits-all network support model, schools benefit by having support that focuses exclusively on their needs. CPS principals have access to their Network Chief as a resource and a liaison between their schools and district administration.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Schools Officer, the Chief of Schools, Options Schools will serve as the chief executive for the Options School Network, a network of 38 high schools serving students all over the city. With school principals serving as critical agents in accomplishing the district's vision, the Chief's most important role is supporting, developing, coaching, and supervising principals' instructional leadership.

The Chief of Schools works in collaboration with local school councils and CPS departments to identify, prepare, place and retain great principals in network schools; create a climate of professional collaboration by establishing structures that foster shared learning and resource exchange across networks and schools; and implement a strategic plan to anchor the work of the network in improving student achievement.

Chiefs also leverage network and district resources strategically to effectively support students and schools.

This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Chief of Schools, Options will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

* Supervise and support school leaders and schools in the Network by:

* Developing the ability of principals and their instructional leadership teams to develop, implement and monitor a strategic plan that helps meet student achievement goals. This includes assisting principals and their teams in engaging in root cause analyses, developing theories of action and building coherent multi-year strategies.

* Support principals' development and implementation of their school's Continuous Improvement Work Plan ("CIWP"), including the change management process needed to implement transformation initiatives at the school-level.

* Working with school leaders to closely monitor school improvement through a cycle of continuous improvement and sound management practices.

* Assessing the leadership capacity of each principal and their leadership teams (including teacher leaders and Assistant Principals) and developing an individualized Leadership Development Plan ("LDP") for each leader; conducting regular performance evaluations to support the goals in the LDPs.

* Providing frequent, actionable feedback to assist principals and their leadership teams in improving in their leadership practice and achieve better results.

* Work collaboratively with CPS, city, and non-profit colleagues to support a rigorous and relevant high school learning experience for students who face significant barriers to high school graduation

* As needed, manage the process for students transferring into Options Schools; ensuring Options Schools are following all transfer policies and procedures

* For contract, Alternative Learning Opportunity Programs, and charter schools, manage and/or support the evaluation and reporting of school performance against the District's academic, financial, and operational expectations and the renewal of existing school contracts, including application launch, evaluation, and community engagement to drive effective decision-making.

* Assess principal quality within the network and effectively plan for, facilitate and/or execute school leadership transitions as needed (including succession planning), in consultation and partnership with the Office of Network Support, Department of Principal Quality and Talent Office.

* Identify, recruit and engage in the selection of new principals able to successfully lead school improvement efforts.

* Develop a high-performing community of principals who leverage one another's strengths and support one another in achieving shared goals. This may include via principal network meetings,…