Job Details
Organization
LEARN is a network of college preparatory elementary schools with the mission of providing our scholars with the academic foundation and ambition to earn a college degree. Our schools provide a rigorous educational program built upon an intimate understanding of each student s individual learning style and academic needs. We are guided by five core values which include: high expectations; respect; safe and nurturing environment; family involvement; and the positive development of the Whole Child.
Founded in Chicago in 2001, LEARN is a network of PK-8th grade elementary schools creating measurable, transformational change in the lives of its students. We currently educate 4,000 students in 11 schools in the Chicago region and Washington, DC. LEARN DC is our newest and first DC campus that opened in Fall 2021 on the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) and is designed to serve both military and neighboring civilian families. Over the next several years, we expect this campus will expand to educate 550 students in grades PK3-8th.
Opportunity for impact
LEARN DC needs a strong, passionate, and highly effective leader for this new and rapidly growing charter school campus. In our second year of operation, we currently serve over 200 students from both the military and the neighboring Ward 8 community.
The Executive Director will collaborate with the LEARN Network leadership team, the LEARN DC Principal and LEARN DC board members to design and deliver best-in-class operations support and systems. In addition to fundraising and managing critical external and internal relationships, the Executive Director will build and manage a team that will drive operational excellence across all non-instructional functional areas, including student enrollment, operations, food service, transportation, IT, real estate, facilities, data systems, finance, compliance, and safety. The right candidate will be both strategic and detailed oriented, and thrive in a fluid environment. This person must be a hands-on doer and problem solver.
Role & Responsibilities
- Organizational Leadership
- In partnership with the Chief Schools Officer and a LEARN Network Senior Principal, supervise the LEARN DC Principal.
- Collaborate with the Network and School leadership team to guide the strategic direction of the organization and accomplish short term goals and long-term mission. Ensure success as we grow to serve more students.
- Support strategic planning and ensure strategic priorities are aligned with the budget, drive cost savings in operations to maximize financial resources available for teaching and learning and school staffing.
- Develop and maintain a strong positive relationship with Parents, authorizer, state agency (OSSE), funders and strategic partners (military), local community.
- Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement grounded in our core values.
- Operations, Real Estate & Facilities Management
- Lead real estate planning and facilities management of the temporary facility and oversee the planning and construction of a larger permanent building.
- Build and lead execution of sustainable, scalable, cost-efficient operational systems, processes and services.
- Codify and refine existing operational practices.
- Lead high quality compliance including timely reporting with federal, state, school board, authorizer, and local agencies regulations and mandated practices.
Professional Qualifications
- Track record of leading, motivating, coaching and developing adults and high performing teams that deliver results.
- Experience and a passion for working with military families a plus but not required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and manage business systems and processes to support a growing organization.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines and organize time and priorities.
- Superior relationship management skills.
- Passion and demonstrated ability to fundraise.
- An ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and a capacity to remain calm and focused when faced with unexpected challenges.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Previous charter school experience is a plus but not required.
- Smart, hardworking, and able to collaborate with a wide range of constituents.
- Ability to achieve results through listening and influencing others.
- High level of business acumen.
- High emotional intelligence to stay poised and responsive under stress.
- Problem solver who can reduce complexity and improve service delivery.