(DOE-011-26) Assistant Commissioner (Chief Academic Officer)

New Jersey Department of Education•Trenton, NS

11d•$181,125 - $181,125•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the State Education Department's senior executive responsible for defining, advancing, and delivering the Department’s academic vision, ensuring all students are safe, supported, and successful and achieve academic excellence across New Jersey. The CAO is responsible for the strategic design and statewide implementation of academic standards, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) adoption, professional learning systems, and district and student support. The CAO serves as a key advisor to the Commissioner on all matters of instructional policy and practice. This is a broad, high-impact executive role requiring deep expertise in curriculum and instruction, special education, and large-scale program management. This role also requires relational skills to build trust with a diverse landscape of district leaders, practitioners, community stakeholders, and state and federal partners. The CAO leads a multi-disciplinary division of curriculum specialists, professional learning designers, and student support staff, and is expected to model the instructional vision they champion across the state.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Education Policy, or a closely related field.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in curriculum, instruction, or academic program leadership, with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role.
Demonstrated expertise in K–12 curriculum design, standards development, and the selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials.
Proven experience designing and scaling professional learning systems for educators and instructional leaders.
Track record of building and sustaining effective district support relationships in a state agency, regional education service center, or large district central office context.
Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in a government or complex organizational setting.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field.
Prior experience in a state education agency or large urban district central office with responsibility for academic programming at scale.
Deep knowledge of foundational literacy research, structured literacy approaches, and evidence-based early reading instruction.
Experience leading statewide or multi-district HQIM adoption initiatives, including navigating the political and cultural dimensions of curriculum change.
Familiarity with federal education law and grant requirements relevant to academic programs, including Title I, Title II, Title III, and ESSA consolidated planning requirements.
Track record of publication, conference presentation, or recognized leadership in the national curriculum and instruction field.

Responsibilities

Set and continuously refine the Department’s academic vision and instructional strategy
Ensure instructional coherence through standards, curriculum, and high-quality materials
Oversee a comprehensive system of student supports, including special populations
Lead the full educator pipeline from preparation through development and retention
Drive delivery, performance, and field engagement to ensure impact on student outcomes
Recruit, develop, and retain top instructional talent, building a team culture that is collaborative, evidence-driven, equity-centered, and accountable for results.
Develop and manage the division’s budget, including federal education grants, state appropriations, and contracted services, and ensure resources are allocated in alignment with strategic priorities.