Director of Academics

Director of Academics

The Director of Academics is an experienced instructional leader accountable for establishing consistent instructional alignment, data-driven decision-making, and high-quality teaching across all campuses. This role focuses on developing teachers and leaders, overseeing curriculum implementation, managing special programs, and driving measurable student outcomes network-wide. The Director manages a team of Regional Instructional Coaches and reports to the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years of principalship experience required
• 3+ years directly managing and coaching individuals and teams required
• Prior experience at the senior leadership or network level for a high-performing charter school organization highly preferred
• Demonstrated track record of exceptional instruction resulting in significant, measurable gains in student achievement.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local legal and ethical guidelines applicable to the role

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep commitment to the mission and core values of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to lead people and drive results through others
• Strong strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all formats and audiences
• Strong prioritization, organization, and follow-up skills in a fast-paced environment
• Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback
• Ability to build relationships across lines of difference and navigate challenging conversations with finesse
• Systems-oriented mindset with the ability to build scalable structures and create order from ambiguity

Key Responsibilities

Instructional Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with senior leadership to set strategic direction, establish network instructional priorities, and drive long-term planning rooted in data
• Carry out the vision, strategy, and metrics for leadership and instructional work to support organizational excellence and growth
• Collaborate with senior leadership to streamline curriculum effectiveness and implementation
• Communicate instructional vision, priorities, and data to campus leadership teams; serve as liaison between central office and campuses
• Champion and model organizational core values and talent philosophies in adult culture
• Enforce district grading policy and monitor PEIMS academic data
• Respond to regional-level academic concerns and grievances

Teacher & Leader Development

• Plan, design, and execute professional development for teachers at the start of the year and throughout the school year
• Develop a scope and sequence of professional development experiences aligned to curriculum and instructional priorities
• Drive vision and execution for teacher development, including Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), across all campuses
• Manage and coach regional instructional coaches to provide high-quality, targeted coaching to teachers while building Assistant Principal capacity
• Design and maintain effective teacher and paraprofessional performance frameworks
• Assist direct reports in creating annual progress monitoring goals

Curriculum & Content Implementation

• Collaborate with campus administrators to ensure curriculum is appropriately implemented and disseminated
• Guide teachers in the effective use of instructional materials and differentiation strategies to meet the needs of all learners
• Conduct frequent teacher observations and debriefs alongside campus leadership
• Model effective instructional practices and offer continuous, targeted professional development
• Remain current on curriculum trends, instructional strategies, and emerging instructional materials and technology
• Participate in curriculum, data, and instructional technology planning meetings

Data & Assessment

• Assist leadership teams in understanding, sharing, and effectively utilizing data to drive instructional decisions
• Implement, analyze, and review data from common assessments including district assessments, NWEA MAP, and STAAR
• Use multiple data sources to identify opportunities to increase student achievement and improve instruction
• Monitor campus academic goals and support schools in data analysis and response
• Regularly monitor student academic data to assess growth and on-track levels at the individual, school, and network levels

School Accountability

• Ensure schools meet or exceed academic performance targets
• Support 100% attainment of school leader goals across academic metrics
• Ensure all students meet or exceed growth and proficiency targets established annually

Work Environment

This is a full-time, school-based role (228 days) requiring regular campus visits. Occasional nights and weekends may be required. Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs. As this role serves the entire Compass Rose network and manages Instructional Coaches in both regions, travel between Bastrop, Manor, and San Antonio is required.

The physical demands and work environment are representative of those that must be met or encountered to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Compass Rose Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs and activities. Any person having inquiries concerning the organizations compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact COMPASS ROSE Human Resources at (210) 540-9265.

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization. This position may be partially or fully funded from federal grants or programs, state grants, philanthropic grants, or local sources.