Executive Director of Middle Schools

Overview of Position

This position is open until filled, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review of applications will begin on June 3, 2026.

The Executive Director of Middle Schools will create specific conditions to actualize the Seattle Public Schools Strategic Plan and focus on the elimination of systemic opportunity gaps through inclusive services. The Executive Director of Middle Schools will be a member of the EDS (Executive Director of Schools) Team that reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. SPS is strategically committed to improving how central office leadership shifts its work to support building principals as instructional leaders to create improved outcomes for all students.

The Executive Director of Middle Schools will also support district and building school improvement efforts directly connected to our district strategic plan and building Comprehensive School Plans (C‑SIP).

• Effectively partners with and supervise middle school principals and other staff to improve student outcomes.
• Support principals to develop, implement, monitor and adjust Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (C‑SIP) centered on improving instructional leadership and systems of support to improve inclusive instructional practices that impact outcomes for all students.
• Promotes equitable access to rigorous, standards‑based instruction that centers on inclusion and culturally responsive practices leading to high‑quality instruction for all students.
• Provides results‑focused professional learning and collaboration.
• Makes data‑driven decisions. Disaggregated data must be at the table.
• Opens and acts on direct feedback to improve their own performance.
• Works effectively with school communities to build strong partnerships with families and community through authentic engagement.
• Models effective instructional leadership and teaching of adults grounded in research‑based adult learning theory.
• Provides recommendations for middle school principal and assistant principal hires to the Superintendent.
• Assists middle school principals with interpreting relevant federal and state laws as they relate to school issues.
• Assists middle school principals in staffing, scheduling and budgeting as needed.
• Supports middle school principals in connecting with other Central Office departments to respond to operational and other needs.

• Is accountable for making sure middle school principals and schools do what they say they are going to do including following district policy.
• Supervises, monitors, and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.
• Supports and monitors the implementation of effective teaching strategies at schools.
• Oversees implementation of curriculum, professional development, evaluation, and student assessment.
• Interviews and selects employees and recommends transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions.
• Assists with the development, implementation and monitoring of corrective actions.

• Actively leads groups of central office leaders who support building principals in leading their buildings to be safe, healthy spaces for learning by doing the following:
• Informs policy, shapes procedures related to policy and strategic direction.
• Analyzes and prioritizes the needs of schools to inform the practice and supports of central office in service of schools on emerging trends and issues.
• Facilitates, coordinates and collaborates with central office departments to ensure success for all SPS initiatives and implementation of school‑based operations.
• Works with the Superintendent and other system leaders to implement the district’s strategic plan, its intent and metrics.
• Collaborates with the Superintendent, Student Services, Teaching and Learning, and Human Resources, in support of the improvement of instruction at all schools and implement sound strategies across content and programs.
• Provides recommendations and support for the implementation of major instructional and educational strategies, and partner in the evaluation of their effectiveness.
• Works collaboratively with…