Assistant Superintendent

Universal Companies; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Companies seeks an Assistant Superintendent to join the Executive Leadership Team in Philadelphia, PA. This role provides strategic leadership to ensure teaching excellence, school operations, and organizational performance, supporting principals and district initiatives.

The position emphasizes visionary instructional leadership, capacity building, accountability, and collaboration to fulfill the mission of preparing scholars for college, career, and life.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required.
• Pennsylvania Principal Certification required.
• Pennsylvania Letter of Eligibility or Superintendent Letter of Eligibility preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as strategic advisor to the Superintendent and participate in the strategic plan.
• Support school principals and district-wide initiatives.
• Monitor school improvement efforts and student outcomes.
• Lead leadership development and succession planning.
• Provide crisis coaching and support for emergencies.

Skills

Lead teams

Solve complex problems

Build collaborative cultures

Manage competing priorities

Develop leaders

Build consensus

Lead organizational change

Coaching and mentoring

Relationship building

Systems thinking

Ethical leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree

Pennsylvania Principal Certification

Pennsylvania LEO/ SLE preferred

Tools

None

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Assistant Superintendent

Philadelphia, PA, US

Assistant Superintendent Job Description

Reports To: Superintendent/Chief Executive Officer
Employment Status: Full-Time, 12-Month Administrator

Position Summary

The Assistant Superintendent serves as a key member of the Superintendent's Executive Leadership Team and provides strategic leadership to ensure excellence in teaching, learning, school operations, and organizational performance. The Assistant Superintendent supports school principals, supports district-wide initiatives, monitors school improvement efforts, and helps ensure every scholar has access to a high-quality educational experience.

This position requires a visionary instructional leader who can build leadership capacity, drive continuous improvement, foster accountability, and cultivate a culture of excellence across all schools.

The Assistant Superintendent is a transformational leader who champions academic excellence, develops outstanding school leaders, and ensures every school operates with a relentless focus on student success. Through strategic leadership, coaching, accountability, and collaboration, the Assistant Superintendent helps fulfill the organization’s mission of preparing every scholar for college, career, and life

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Superintendent.
• Participate in developing and implementing the organization’s strategic plan.
• Assist with organizational decision-making and policy implementation.
• Represent the Superintendent at meetings, community events, and Board meetings as assigned.
• Lead network initiatives that support organizational priorities.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on long-term planning

Coach assigned principals through:

• Weekly or bi-weekly leadership meetings
• School visits and instructional walkthroughs
• Performance feedback
• Professional growth planning

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring implementation of improvement plans
• Building leadership capacity
• Developing succession plans
• Providing crisis coaching when necessary

Instructional Leadership

Provide leadership to improve teaching and learning by:

• Supporting effective instructional practices
• Leading instructional walkthroughs
• Monitoring classroom observations
• Supporting professional learning communities (PLCs)
• Monitoring intervention systems (MTSS)
• Supporting literacy and mathematics initiatives
• Promoting equitable instructional practices

School Improvement

Lead continuous improvement efforts through:

• School Improvement Plans
• Progress monitoring
• Root cause analysis
• Academic intervention planning
• Continuous improvement cycle

Monitor:

• State assessment performance
• Benchmark assessments
• Graduation rates
• College and career readiness
• Early literacy outcomes

Develop strategies that improve measurable student outcomes.

School Operations

Support principals with:

• Safety planning
• School climate
• Operational efficiency

Professional Learning

Design and facilitate professional learning for:

• Assistant Principals
• Instructional Coaches
• Leadership Teams

Topics may include:

• Instructional leadership
• Coaching teachers
• Data analysis
• School culture
• Equity
• Strategic planning

Prepare reports for the Superintendent and Board of Directors.

Family and Community Engagement

Support schools in developing strong partnerships with:

• Families
• Community organizations
• Higher education institutions
• Business partners
• Civic leaders

Promote transparent communication and meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Crisis Leadership

Provide leadership during emergencies involving:

• School safety
• Community concerns
• Emergency response

The Assistant Superintendent demonstrates:

• Visionary Leadership
• Strategic Thinking
• Ethical Leadership
• Political Acumen
• Change Management
• Systems Thinking
• Cultural Competence
• Relationship Building
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Organizational Leadership
• Results Orientation

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree required
• Pennsylvania Principal Certification
• Pennsylvania Letter of Eligibility or Superintendent Letter of Eligibility preferred

Experience

Minimum of:

• Seven years successful Central office leadership experience preferred
• Experience supporting/supervising principals strongly preferred
• Experience leading organizational change
• Experience managing multiple schools preferred

Knowledge

Extensive knowledge of:

• Curriculum and instruction
• Educational leadership
• School improvement
• Data analysis
• Educational law
• Special education
• Federal and state accountability
• Teacher evaluation systems
• Strategic planning
• Organizational leadership

Skills

Outstanding ability to:

• Lead teams
• Solve complex problems
• Build collaborative cultures
• Manage competing priorities
• Develop leaders
• Build consensus
• Lead organizational change

Performance Indicators

Success in this role is measured by:

• School performance ratings
• Successful implementation of strategic initiatives
• School climate improvements
• Family satisfaction
• Compliance outcomes
• Organizational efficiency
• Leadership development of principals

Physical Requirements

• Ability to conduct classroom observations
• Occasional evening and weekend meetings
• Ability to attend community events and Board meetings

Core Beliefs

The Assistant Superintendent believes:

• Every scholar can achieve at high levels.
• Excellent leadership produces excellent schools.
• Equity must drive decision-making.
• Relationships are foundational to success.
• Data should inform—not replace—professional judgment.
• Collaboration strengthens organizations.
• High expectations produce high performance.
• Every educator deserves meaningful coaching and support.