Superintendent – Glendale, AZ

HYA; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Peoria Unified School District in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix seeks a student-centered, visionary Superintendent to guide one of Arizona’s largest districts.

The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s Degree and Arizona Superintendent Certification, lead 34,000 students across 41 schools, and partner with a 4,000-strong team to advance the district's strategic framework. The Governing Board will negotiate a regionally competitive package.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Current Arizona Superintendent Certification or ability to obtain it.
• Experience at district or executive level in large P-12 system.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision-making

Budget & finance oversight

Policy navigation

Education

Master’s Degree

Arizona Superintendent Certification

Job description

The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board presents an invitation to apply for the position of SUPERINTENDENT. The Peoria Unified School District’s Governing Board is seeking its next superintendent: a student-centered leader ready to guide one of Arizona’s largest and most established school districts into its next chapter. This is an opportunity to lead approximately 34,000 students, nearly 4,000 employees, and 41 schools in a growing, family-centered region in the Northwest Valley of Phoenix, with a community that has supported its public schools for more than 135 years. The next superintendent will build on a strong foundation and help set the direction for years to come.

About Peoria Unified

The Peoria Unified School District has 41 neighborhood schools, including one virtual school designed to meet the needs of all preK-12th grade students. For the past 135 years, Peoria Unified has been an Arizona public school district of choice, where students can receive a high-quality education rooted in the values that their families share. Students experience the best in academics, athletics and arts education where education is personalized to meet the needs of each child. Peoria Unified invests in programs which prepare every student for a successful future, including free full-day kindergarten, special education, gifted education and Career and Technical Education. To continue its long history of success, the district maintains its focus on five key components of its strategic framework: Student Success, Learning and Teaching, Safety and Wellness, Stewardship of Resources and Parent and Community Engagement. The Peoria Unified School District continuously pursues its vision of “Every student, every day, prepared to shape tomorrow.”

Why lead Peoria Unified

• Scale with a community feel. You’ll lead a large, comprehensive preK–12 system where neighborhood schools remain the heart of their communities.
• Strong programs to build on. The district already offers free full-day kindergarten, gifted education, Career and Technical Education, award‑winning arts programs and championship athletics.
• A clear Strategic Framework. Five priorities are already in place: Student Success, Learning and Teaching, Safety and Wellness, Stewardship of Resources, and Parent and Community Engagement.
• Committed people. With nearly 4,000 dedicated staff, many of whom are Peoria Unified graduates who came back to serve the schools that shaped them.
• A moment that matters. The board is looking for a leader who can strengthen trust, unite the community and build lasting stability.

Additional Information

Learn more about Peoria Unified through the District’s 2026 Annual Review.

Position Profile

• Innovative and visionary;
• Actively engaged and visible in schools and the community;
• Decisive and accountable; makes well‑informed decisions and effectively communicates with staff and community regarding decision‑making processes and rationale;
• Emotionally intelligent; demonstrates empathy, actively listens, and is responsive to others;
• Relationship builder that models high integrity, honesty, and ethics at all times;
• Financial steward;
• Politically astute; builds productive relationships with elected officials and community leaders, and effectively navigate differing interests to advance District priorities.

Minimum Qualities/Qualifications

• Master’s Degree;
• Current Arizona Superintendent Certification (or ability/willingness to obtain);
• District‑level administrative experience in P‑12 education, OR executive‑level leadership experience in organizations of similar size and complexity;
• Executive-level leadership experience managing budget reduction planning and implementation, resource allocation, and long‑term financial stability;
• Experience leading strategic plan implementation or organizational goal setting resulting in improved student outcomes and or achievement of measurable goals;
• Effective problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution skills;
• Demonstrated experience with instructional leadership, data‑driven planning, and assessment;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including transparent and respectful interactions with students, staff, families, and community members;
• Demonstrated exemplary communication skills in listening, speaking, and writing;
• Models high standards of professional and ethical behavior at all times and operates consistently with integrity and transparency.

Preferred Qualities/Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree;
• Prior experience as a classroom teacher and school administrator;
• Experience partnering with community members, businesses, and local organizations in support of public education;
• Demonstrated record of transparent and responsive leadership addressing emergency and/or crisis situations while preserving community trust;
• District leadership experience with operations, including financial services, facilities planning, human resources, labor relations;
• Demonstrated experience securing financial resources through successful school funding initiatives (e.g., overrides & bonds), competitive funding opportunities (e.g. grants), and community or business partnerships;
• Knowledge/understanding of Arizona education law, policy, funding, and related trends impacting public schools; Experience working closely with a Governing Board of directors.

Strengths and Opportunities

HYA is currently gathering input from students, staff, and families regarding strengths and challenges/opportunities facing the district as well as the most important leadership qualities and characteristics desired in the next superintendent. This input will be used to develop a Leadership Profile Report (LPR) that will be used by the Governing Board in making screening and selection decisions. The LPR will be presented to the Board in December and posted to the district’s website. This section will be updated after December 9, 2026, when the LPR becomes available.

Compensation

The Peoria Governing Board will negotiate a compensation and benefit package that is regionally competitive based upon education and experience.

Application Process & Requirements

Candidates are asked not to contact Governing Board Members directly. Any attempt to do so may eliminate them from consideration. Names of applicants will held in strict confidence whenever possible. However, the district complies with state and federal laws regarding public records/disclosure requirements.

The Governing Board is planning a two-step interview process. Selected applicants will interview by board in a closed‑session, first‑round interview, expected to sсhedule in early February 2027. The Board will not announce the names of applicants selected for first-round interview.

Following the first‑round interview, the Governing Board publicly announce the names selected finalist candidate(s) and will planning a series of stakeholder engagement activities and interviews expected to schedule in mid to late February 2027.

Closing Date/Time: Friday, January 8, 2027; 5:00 p.m. MST