Leadership Support Specialist

Job Title: Leadership Support Specialist

Licensure: Professional Educator License with Administrative or Principal Endorsement

Reports To and Evaluation by: Superintendent

Terms: 12-month position

Salary Range: $100,000-$110,000

The Leadership Support Specialist serves as a dedicated coaching and capacity-building resource for the district's administrative and instructional leadership teams. This position is designed to strengthen the instructional and operational effectiveness of school leaders across Zion Elementary School District 6, with a primary and deliberate focus on the professional growth of principals and assistant principals.

The Leadership Support Specialist works collaboratively with district directors and school leadership teams to build coherent systems of support, establish consistent leadership practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement that positively impacts student achievement and organizational effectiveness.

The Instructional Support specialist provides support for and assists the principal in fulfilling the following responsibilities:

• Living a Mission and Vision Focused on Results
• Leading and Managing Systems Change
• Improving Teaching & Learning
• Building & Maintaining Collaborative Relationships
• Leading with Integrity & Professionalism
• Creating & Sustaining a Culture of High Expectations

• Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field required.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrative or Principal Endorsement, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field required.
• Doctoral Degree and/or Superintendent Endorsement preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as a principal or assistant principal in an elementary or K–8 setting preferred.
• Demonstrated experience providing instructional coaching, mentoring, or leadership development for administrators preferred.
• Experience working in an urban, diverse, or high-needs school district preferred.
• Knowledge of Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards, school improvement requirements, and compliance expectations.

• Deep understanding of evidence-based instructional practices, curriculum development, assessment systems, and school improvement frameworks.
• Expertise in adult learning theory, leadership coaching, mentoring, and professional growth practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to establish trusting relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to provide candid, constructive, and growth-focused feedback.
• Ability to analyze multiple forms of student, staff, and organizational data to inform leadership support and decision-making.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive leadership practices.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with technology platforms used for communication, data analysis, leadership development, and professional learning.

• Provide ongoing individualized coaching and support to principals and assistant principals through scheduled coaching cycles, goal-setting conferences, reflective practice sessions, and observation debriefs.
• Support school leaders in developing and refining their instructional leadership vision and their ability to identify, articulate, and model effective teaching and learning practices.
• Coach principals and assistant principals in conducting meaningful classroom observations and delivering actionable, growth-oriented feedback aligned with district evaluation frameworks.
• Guide leaders in analyzing student achievement and school performance data to inform instructional decisions and school improvement efforts.
• Assist principals and assistant principals in designing and facilitating effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)…