Chief of Schools, Network

Chief of Schools

Chief of 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:

• Develop the ability of principals and their instructional leadership teams to develop, implement and monitor a strategic plan that helps meet student achievement goals.
• 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.
• Work with school leaders to closely monitor school improvement through a cycle of continuous improvement and sound management practices.
• Assess the leadership capacity of each principal and their leadership teams (including teacher leaders and Assistant Principals) and develop an individualized Leadership Development Plan ("LDP") for each leader; conduct regular performance evaluations to support the goals in the LDPs.
• Provide 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.
• Develop and build a high-performing network team focused on supporting the work of school leaders and their leadership teams.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Chief of Schools, Options must possess the following qualifications:

• Education Required:
  
  Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university
• Master's degree in Education or related field
• Illinois State Board of Education Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations, with a Principal or General Administrative endorsement
• Experience
  
  Required:
  
  Minimum of four (4) complete school years of experience as a PreK-12 school principal or three (3) complete school years as an High School principal and one (1) year of experience in a district administration role; urban education experience preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience coaching and mentoring educators
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience managing within a complex educational organization
• Principal supervisor experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with 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.
• Lead literacy and numeracy instruction, as well as design and implement successful instructional strategies for English Language Learners and students with diverse learning needs.
• Lead large-scale, sustainable improvement efforts, whether in school…