Chief Academic Officer — District-Wide Learning Leader

Alma Advisory Group; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 175,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio seeks a Chief Academic Officer to champion the district’s instructional vision and drive academic excellence for every scholar. This senior leader will align Teaching & Learning, Student Services, and Schools to ensure high-quality instruction district-wide, reporting to the CEO and guiding district-wide program design and equity initiatives.

The CAO will lead a large professional team, advance college and career readiness, and ensure compliance

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of improving student outcomes through data-driven decision making, ideally in an urban, unionized, K-12 public school district setting.
• At least ten (10) years of senior leadership experience with progressively increasing levels of responsibility in K-12 education in a public school district with similar demographics as CMSD.
• Master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited college or university required. Doctoral degree preferred.
• Experience managing large teams and holding leaders accountable for results.
• Demonstrated commitment to the importance of public education and advocacy for all scholars, especially scholars of color living in highly impacted environments.
• Preference is to hold or be eligible for Administrator License in the State of Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academic aspects of Building Brighter Futures implementation, including ensuring more students are enrolled and scheduled in advanced coursework in all schools so that students and families experience continuity of high-quality instruction and support.
• Ensure coherence across all academic programming, including curriculum and instruction, career and college success, early childhood, and fine arts.
• Enable the district to demonstrate growth in academic proficiency in alignment with our District’s Goals and Guardrails by strengthening the district’s existing academic structures and driving continuous improvement.
• Increase student enrollment and participation in the college and career pathways and programs offered in the district.
• Ensure that the core curriculum instruction addresses the needs of diverse learners and is supplemented by enrichment and interventions as needed.
• Serve as the primary academic advisor to the CEO and Cabinet and drive alignment between academics and school systems and organizational priorities.
• Ensure all program areas are in compliance with governing federal, state, and local regulations.
• Build on the academic systems, program design, and organizational structure to achieve the district’s student achievement priorities.
• Leverage established data-driven structures to develop and refine proven strategies that will further advance student achievement and districtwide improvement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic processes and regularly track progress toward ambitious team goals that support student learning.
• Ensure high-quality professional development opportunities are offered to schools, principals, and other staff and aligned to the district’s priorities and academic vision.
• Ensure the effective oversight of schools through the Area Superintendent who manage, coach, and mentor school leaders in ways that drive continuous student achievement gains.
• Lead, manage, and develop a large team of more than 80 professionals, including four (4) high-performing direct reports, across the three departments - Teaching & Learning, Student Services, Schools, and an Academic Strategist to the CAO - to ensure coherent service delivery model for schools.
• Partner with the Office of Schools to be present and visible in schools regularly, both observing and evaluating the alignment of instruction, school climate, student behavior, and school leadership.
• Foster a culture of high expectations with shared strategic goals around measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Skills

Student-Centered Teaching

Data-Driven Decision Making

Strategic Leadership

Team Management

Education

Master’s degree in Education or related field

Doctoral degree preferred

Job description

Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio seeks a Chief Academic Officer to champion the district’s instructional vision and drive academic excellence for every scholar. This senior leader will align Teaching & Learning, Student Services, and Schools to ensure high-quality instruction district-wide, reporting to the CEO and guiding district-wide program design and equity initiatives.

The CAO will lead a large professional team, advance college and career readiness, and ensure compliance