EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TEACHING AND LEARNING

Denver Public Schools; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 125,185 - 153,329; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off

Health benefits

PERA retirement

Job summary

Denver Public Schools seeks an Executive Director to serve on the Office of Schools’ Academic Leadership Team, ensuring Tier 1 instruction meets high standards and aligns with the Strategic Road Map. The role leads content teams across Humanities, Math, and STEAM and collaborates with Teaching and Learning directors to formulate annual goals.

The position requires significant leadership experience, a Colorado residence, and a commitment to equity and excellence in education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master’s Degree in Education or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive education administrative experience and/or leadership at an influential decision-making level.
• 5+ years of managerial experience required.
• Experience leading multiple large teams and building strong working relationships.
• Experience developing and implementing a departmental/unit strategic plan.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle inequity in our community.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision, leadership and strategic direction to ensure high-quality Tier 1 instruction.
• Ensures district standards are implemented across elementary, middle and high schools.
• Leads content teams to develop and deliver curricular programs aligned with standards.
• Oversees professional learning to empower teachers and principals.
• Fosters cross-functional collaboration with other academic teams.
• Communicates with district departments and community stakeholders.
• Acts as a spokesperson for district curricular programs and best practices.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge on leadership, standards, assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Collaboration

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree in Education

Principal Licensure/Type D (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

Applicants may redact any information that identifies age, date of birth, dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution on transcripts, resumes or other documents being submitted as part of this application.

Applications will be received until July 31, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org.

About this job

Serves as a key member of the Office of Schools’ Academic Leadership Team tasked with ensuring that every student, every day, receives high-quality Tier 1 instruction that prepares them for success in life. Monitors, directs and coordinates the development of the District’s instructional vision in deep collaboration with the Chief of Academics. Responsible for leading content teams, including but not limited to Humanities, Math, and STEAM. Additionally monitors, directs, and coordinates the work of Professional Learning and Leader Development. Fosters collaboration among other district departments, ensuring that work streams are well‑aligned and that schools receive the highest quality supports. In collaboration with Teaching and Learning directors, sets a compelling vision and develops the annual strategic goals and priorities such that the department’s work significantly advances the goals of the Strategic Road Map and Board Ends Policies.

The Executive Director must demonstrate a willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement. This role requires maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding all District matters, especially those involving the Superintendent, Chief of Staff, and the Board of Education. Ensuring trust and discretion is paramount to the success and integrity of this position.

What DPS Offers You

• A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
• Salary Range: $125,185 - $153,329/annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
• In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.

What You’ll Do

• Provides vision, leadership and strategic direction to ensuring the mechanisms exist for high quality Tier 1 instruction; works to develop and implement a departmental strategic plan that is aligned with the District’s academic goals defined in the Strategic Road Map and Board Ends Policies
• Ensures that the teams within the department are working in a cohesive manner to successfully implement the Colorado Academic Standards and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in district elementary, middle and high schools
• Leads multiple content teams to develop and deliver curricular and instructional programs and services for all content areas that are based on best practices and are aligned with standards, ensuring products and services are of exceptional excellence and relevant to and desired by school‑based educators; fosters a culture of delivering instructional materials and services that will measurably improve student learning outcomes; and develops a collaborative team culture that honors multiple perspectives and elevates a third way approach to developing and implementing curriculum and instruction
• Oversees the content and quality of professional learning so that teachers and principals have the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver effective academic programming that is aligned with standards and assessments; ensures programs offered by content teams should motivate teachers and principals to innovate and execute with excellence so as to accelerate student achievement and close opportunity gaps between racial, ethnic and economic groups
• Encourages cross‑functional collaboration by communicating effectively and sharing knowledge and expertise with other members of the Academic Leadership Team and creating intentional and deliberate partnerships with other academic teams
• Develops systems to communicate and collaborate effectively with other district departments, particularly the Collaborative Directors and Schools; engages Collaborative Directors within the Office of Schools organization to enthusiastically support the implementation of academic programming, particularly the Colorado Academic Standards and CCSS and associated curriculum, assessments, and educator supports.
• Acts as a spokesperson and champion to the community on district curricular programs and evidence best practices to strengthen the student learning experience, as needed
• Remains knowledgeable and up‑to‑date on research and best practices regarding leadership and management, implementation of standards, adult learning and student assessments
• Leads a number of department’s budget initiatives, including overseeing budget preparation, approvals, tracking and the proper use of internal controls
• Strategically manages multiple grants and relationships with grant funders, as needed, and performs other related duties, including special projects, as requested

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Master’s Degree in Education or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive education administrative experience and/or leadership experience at an influential decision‑making level required.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple large teams and building strong working relationships and collaborative structures among them.
• Experience developing and implementing a departmental/unit strategic plan.
• 5+ years of managerial experience required.
• Principal Licensure and/or Type D preferred but not required.
• Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
• Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
• Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job‑related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun