Position Summary The Managing Director of Student Services is an entrepreneurial individual who deeply understands working and supporting exceptional learners, including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted.
This role, though Network-based, interfaces significantly with campus-based staff as they orchestrate critical functional areas for the organization.
The Managing Director of Student Services reports to the Chief Academic Officer and manages a diverse cross-functional team of specialists, including Special Education, Related Services, English as a New Language (ENL), and Wrap Around Services.
Primary Responsibilities Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Leadership Define, continuously improve, and communicate an accessible Exceptional Student Education (ESE) vision, strategy, and priorities across the network to advance equitable outcomes and results for exceptional learners, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted and/or have other diverse learning needs Enhance short
– and long-term strategies, policies, protocols, systems, and structures for ESE and school-based teams and work cross-functionally with leaders (network
– and school-based) to foster a strong and inclusive culture of equitable teaching and learning Lead strategic efforts and partner with the network’s academic team and other network leaders to develop, select, ensure alignment and effectively implement research-based practices, accommodations, modifications, learning platforms, and other student supports/services across grades and subjects to ensure all students have access to high-quality and grade-level materials, instruction, and interventions Ensure alignment of all intervention tools used across the network (i.e.
online tools, teacher-created tools, and results); analyze potential and existing intervention programs to ensure effectiveness Develop an ESE Progress Monitoring system (including data collection, analysis, and reporting) to allow for timely identification of teacher and student progress, impact, and needs, quality of interventions and services, and the overall network-wide ESE program health; Use data from ESE Progress Monitoring to drive proactive and rapid response to student, teacher, school, and networks needs and continuous improvement Enhance systems and supports to ensure effective network and school-based implementation and compliance with all federal, state, local, and network laws and policies as it relates to exceptional student education (e.g., SPED, 504, etc.) Develop, implement, and continuously improve professional development, monitoring, and support programs to ensure all stakeholders (e.g., network-/school-based staff, students, families, service providers, etc.) are trained to implement ESE policies and protocols with fidelity over time Coach, develop, and support a team of ESE Specialists (network) and Student Support Teams/SST (school-based) members in their development, growth, and ability to effectively champion, advocate, implement and scale the impact of the ESE program Develop and manage strategic partnerships with education support organizations, community agencies, and/or other services providers to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality services and support for students (e.g., occupational therapy) Ensure timely and accurate data analysis and reporting internally and externally Develop, manage, monitor, and report on the usage of the ESE budget including Medicaid reimbursement Research, pilot, and leverage existing and new knowledge and expertise to identify best practices and continuously improve ESE practices, policies, structures, and programs to ensure all students have access to an exemplary education and can achieve at the highest levels Exceptional Student Education (ESE): School-Based Implementation
– Oversee and support ESE Specialists, School Leadership, and Network Academic Team implementation of ESE programs, policies, structures and supports in schools and classrooms to foster a strong and inclusive culture of equitable teaching and learning.
Data-Driven Instruction & Intervention Champion a culture amongst instructional staff and leadership of exemplary education for all Oversee and support implementation of the network-wide approach to whole group, individualized, and small group (e.g., remediation, acceleration) instruction and data-driven re-teaching of content to ensure all scholars master the standard Utilize data collected through a myriad of sources (formal and informal assessments) to help instructional leaders and staff identify, plan for, and support scholars in need of additional support In partnership with the network’s academic and school leadership teams, ensure school leaders and instructional staff develop the necessary expertise in core curricula to achieve excellent results for students Works in partnership with the Head of Schools and Chief Academic Officer to monitor and modify intervention programming Inclusive, Equitable, & Quality Student Services & Support Leverage the ESE Progress Monitoring tool to monitor and support the Student Services Team (SST) processes to ensure fidelity of implementation and effectiveness Support SST in their review and analysis of relevant dashboard data to ensure the timely identification of appropriate scholars for the SST process Works with the SST and school-based leadership to appropriately and effectively facilitate the eligibility of scholars for special education services Provides network oversight and support to campuses to ensure that all interventions (e.g., academic and behavioral) and related services are being implemented with fidelity, monitored, continuously improved, and having a positive impact on student achievement across the network High-Quality & Differentiated Training, Development, Coaching & Support Train and support school leadership teams on the ESE and SST processes and expectations for execution at the campus level Support instructional staff in the implementation of interventions via model lessons, observations and feedback, lesson plan feedback, and regular coaching sessions Provide training for staff on implementing developmentally appropriate interventions for individuals and groups of scholars Desired Education, Experience, & Competencies Bachelor’s Degree (Required) Special Education Licensure
– credentials can be issued by another state (Nice to have) A minimum of 10 years of experience working with students in an educational setting An experienced leader in education operations and management, ideally in public K-12 and/or CMO environment School leadership and/or significant instructional coaching, and team leadership experience with proven results serving diverse learners Instructional expertise and experience improving outcomes of exceptional learners, especially students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted; has successfully led the development and direction setting of an exceptional student education program for teachers and staff Instructional expertise, knowledge, and experience implementing language acquisition programs and support for multilingual learners (Nice to have) Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (i.e.
Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), research, database management, online learning platforms, and other necessary tools Satisfactory completion of local, state, and federal criminal history checks and TB test Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Anti-Racism A deep and unwavering conviction that all students can achieve at high levels and a commitment to do whatever it takes to prepare all students for college success Deep commitment and practice as an anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive leader with an ability to operate through a strong DEI and social justice lens Possesses strong student, family, and community orientation; approaches the work from the perspective of the students, families, and community serves and is skilled at listening and centering their voices and needs in academic decision making Demonstrates strong alignment and commitment to Breakthrough Schools’ long-term vision to further Greater Cleveland’s transformation by providing distinctive school options and high-quality education for all, especially our most vulnerable and historically-marginalized students Additional Skills & Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: Leadership: Establishes and maintains inspiring and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders/colleagues/team A relational leader who leads with a people-first orientation A passion for leader, teacher, staff, and organizational development and belief in the potential of all to grow Effective Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (e.g., listening, verbal, and written) Integrity & Ethics: Maintains a high level of confidentiality as it relates to exceptional student services and programs Productively engages in difficult conversations honestly, transparently, and with integrity Works across lines of difference to advance educational equity and Breakthrough Schools’ shared goals Data Driven: Experience working with large sets of data, including data analysis, error detection, and data synthesis/reporting.
Location This is a site-based role based in Cleveland, OH, and requires this leader to be in-person to execute the core responsibilities of the job.
There are opportunities for some remote work days.
Ideal candidates live in the local community.
Relocation assistance is available.
Salary and Benefits Breakthrough Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.
The salary range for this role is $102,000-125,000.
Breakthrough Public Schools also offers comprehensive benefits including paid time off, retirement, leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, and more.