Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Niche.com names Chandler Unified School District as Best School District in AZ 2026

AZ Big Media's Ranking Arizona names Chandler Unified School District #1 School District in 2026

Employment Type:

Full-time

Base Salary:

$120,890

Calendar:

2611 - 12 month administrator - 237 total work days, 24 paid holidays, 261 total paid days

Benefits:

$200,000 district provided life insurance, PTO, vacation, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance, wellness

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$400 for each full-time year of verified like experience in the last 10 years, max $2800, Doctoral degree $1,500

CHANDLER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION

CLASSIFICATION: ADMINISTRATOR

JOB TITLE: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION (PK-8)

REPORTS TO: ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PreK-12 TEACHING AND LEARNING

SALARY: ADMINISTRATIVE RANGE 132

CALENDAR: 2611

Job Goal:

The Executive Director of PK-8 Curriculum and Instruction provides leadership, management, and oversight for the implementation and continuous improvement of curriculum, instruction, assessment, intervention systems, and professional learning across the district's preschool through eighth-grade programs. Reporting to the Assistant Superintendent of PreK-12 Teaching and Learning, the Executive Director ensures the effective execution of district instructional priorities and supports schools in achieving high levels of student learning and academic growth.

The Executive Director leads the coordination and implementation of PK-8 curriculum and instructional programs in literacy, mathematics, science, and career readiness while ensuring alignment among curriculum, assessment, intervention, and professional learning systems. This position works collaboratively with principals, instructional leaders, and district departments to strengthen instructional practices, improve student outcomes, and ensure equitable access to rigorous learning opportunities for all students.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master's Degree required in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration, Literacy, or related field.
• Doctorate preferred.
• Valid Arizona Administrative Certificate.
• Reading endorsement or advanced literacy credentials preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years of successful educational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success supporting instructional improvement initiatives resulting in measurable gains in student achievement.
• Experience leading curriculum implementation, professional learning, and instructional support systems.
• Experience supervising instructional leaders, teachers, and academic coaches
• Demonstrated success working with diverse student populations and school
• communities.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of curriculum development, instructional practices, and assessment systems.
• Expertise in Science of Reading and evidence-based literacy instruction.
• Knowledge of effective mathematics and science instructional practices.
• Understanding of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and intervention frameworks.
• Strong data analysis and continuous improvement skills.
• Effective communication, collaboration, leadership, and organizational skills.

Core Job Functions:

Curriculum and Instruction Leadership:

• Lead the implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of district PK-8 curriculum and instructional programs.
• Ensure alignment among curriculum, instruction, assessment, intervention, and professional learning systems.
• Support implementation of district academic priorities established by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
• Monitor instructional program effectiveness and recommend improvements based on student performance data and instructional needs.
• Support schools in implementing high-quality instructional practices with fidelity.

Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Career Readiness:

• Coordinate district-wide implementation of literacy, mathematics, science, and career readiness initiatives.
• Support implementation of evidence-based literacy practices aligned to Science of Reading research.
• Ensure instructional programs promote critical thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, and student engagement.
• Monitor student achievement and growth data to identify trends and support instructional improvements.
• Collaborate with schools to strengthen instructional practices that increase student proficiency and advanced performance levels.
• Support the integration of STEM, career awareness, and future readiness skills within PK-8 instructional programs.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Data-Driven Improvement:

• Lead the implementation of standards-based instructional practices and ensure benchmark and formative assessment data are used to improve student achievement and accelerate learning.
• Build the capacity of principals, instructional leaders, and teachers to analyze student performance data, identify learning gaps, and implement timely, targeted interventions.
• Develop and monitor systems that support data-informed decision-making, progress monitoring, and continuous improvement at the classroom, school, and district levels.
• Collaborate with district and school leaders to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum, instructional programs, and intervention strategies, using student achievement and growth data to inform recommendations and action plans.

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS):

• Oversee implementation of district MTSS frameworks and intervention systems.
• Support schools in developing effective intervention, acceleration, and enrichment practices.
• Monitor intervention effectiveness and student progress.
• Collaborate with Special Education, English Learner, Gifted Education, and student support departments to ensure coordinated services for students.

Professional Learning and Leadership Support:

• Design, coordinate, and evaluate professional learning opportunities aligned to district instructional priorities.
• Support principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders in strengthening instructional leadership practices.
• Facilitate professional learning in literacy, mathematics, science, assessment, instructional strategies, and MTSS implementation.
• Monitor the effectiveness of professional learning and its impact on instructional practice and student achievement.
• Develop systems that build educator capacity and instructional expertise across the district.

School Support and Continuous Improvement:

• Partner with principals to support implementation of school improvement plans and academic goals.
• Conduct school visits and instructional reviews to monitor implementation and identify areas for support.
• Provide coaching, consultation, and technical assistance to school leadership teams.
• Assist schools in identifying effective practices and addressing instructional challenges.
• Promote consistent implementation of district instructional expectations across all campuses.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with district departments to ensure coordinated support for schools and students.
• Build positive working relationships with staff, families, community partners, and educational organizations.
• Communicate instructional priorities, program updates, and implementation expectations clearly and effectively.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, and presentations for the Chief Academic Officer and Superintendent as requested.

Fiscal and Operational Management:

• Assist in developing and managing departmental budgets.
• Monitor instructional program expenditures and resource utilization.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and district requirements related to curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Support effective allocation of resources to maximize student achievement and program effectiveness.

Core Values:

• Excellence in all we do. No matter how large or small, we value excellence in all parts of this organization. Excellence is a value, a quality, and our most important product.
• Equity and fairness in all things. Education is the great leveler, and we intend for all our students, staff and patrons to have the opportunity, tools, and ability to succeed and excel.
• Collaboration is an effective decision-making model as well as an effective morale-enhancing model.
• Integrity is simply non-negotiable. Honesty, integrity, and reliability are the foundations of our organization.
• Efficiency is the essence of being a good steward of public trust. Our community supports us because we continually demonstrate our ability to produce the very best by carefully using the resources available.

Professional Qualities:

• Promote positive interactions with colleagues
• Promote positive interactions with students, parents, and community members
• Be responsible, reliable, and punctual
• Be flexible and adaptable to change
• Positively accept direction
• Direct constructive criticism toward improving the district
• Exercise positive problem-solving behavior and conflict resolution skills
• Adhere to the dress code appropriate to the site and job
• Share sensitive student and staff information on a need-to-know basis
• Be a positive role model for students
• Adhere to District and school rules and procedures

Performance Expectations: Success in this position will be demonstrated through:

• Effective implementation of district curriculum and instructional initiatives.
• Increased student achievement and academic growth in literacy, mathematics, and science.
• Improved implementation fidelity of curriculum, assessment, and intervention systems.
• Effective MTSS implementation and intervention outcomes.
• Increased educator capacity through professional learning and instructional support.
• Successful execution of district academic priorities and school improvement efforts.
• Positive collaboration with principals, teachers, and district departments.
• Equitable student access to rigorous instructional opportunities.

Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this classification often require physical activities such as stooping,
• kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, and sitting.
• The job involves finger or manual dexterity, repetitive finger motion, speaking, hearing, seeing (with correction), and focusing ability.
• Employees may be exposed to travel, odors, dust, poor ventilation, workspace restrictions, and loud noises.
• The work may require lifting or exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Reasonable accommodation may be available for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• The physical demands described are representative of those an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential job functions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Note:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibility;

specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the

department.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

Chandler Unified School District is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The following employees have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination practices: Title IX Coordinator, Director of Human Resources, 1525 W Frye Rd Chandler AZ 85224, Phone (480)812-7000

Aviso de no discriminación

El Distrito Escolar Unificado de Chandler es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Prohibimos la discriminación y el acoso de cualquier tipo,y brindamos igualdad de oportunidades de empleo a empleados y solicitantes sin distinción de raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad o expresión de género, embarazo, edad, origen nacional, condición de discapacidad, información genética, condición de veterano protegido o cualquier otra característica protegida por la ley.

Se ha designado a los siguientes empleados para atender las consultas relacionadas con las prácticas de no discriminación: Coordinador del Título IX, Director de Recursos Humanos, 1525 W Frye Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224; Teléfono: (480) 812-7000.

Job description updated 6/10/2026