Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education

Cambridge Public Schools•Cambridge, MA

About The Position

The Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education provides senior-level leadership and oversight for all academic, instructional and school-culture outcomes across Cambridge’s secondary portfolio, including the Upper Schools (Grades 6–8), Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS), which includes the CPS High School Extension Program (HSEP), and the Rindge School of Technical Arts (RSTA) within CRLS. As a key member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, the Assistant Superintendent serves as the primary supervisor and coach for secondary principals, ensuring that every school provides an equitable, rigorous, and supportive learning experience for all students. This leader drives school improvement efforts, aligns secondary systems with the district’s strategic plan, and fosters strong partnerships with families, staff, and community stakeholders. The Assistant Superintendent plays a central role in advancing CPS’s commitment to racial equity, inclusion, and belonging, and leads with a focus on student engagement, strong instruction, and responsive school cultures.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Educational Leadership or a related field required; Doctorate preferred.
At least ten (10) years of experience in public education, including experience as both a classroom teacher and a principal, preferably in an urban district.
Massachusetts DESE licensure, or eligibility for licensure, as Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent.
Demonstrated success in leading school improvement, supervising school leaders, and advancing equitable outcomes for students.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Alignment Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to secondary principals with an emphasis on instructional quality, student engagement, family partnerships and standards implementation.
Lead the development and implementation of processes that advance academic excellence, school culture, and equitable student outcomes across all secondary schools.
Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of School Improvement Plans (SIPs), ensuring alignment with the district’s strategic plan and priorities.
Partner with senior district leaders to support the Superintendent in achieving districtwide goals and managing cross-functional initiatives.
Instructional Leadership & School Improvement Guide the development and implementation of effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices across Grades 6–12.
Establish and monitor strong routines of data analysis to assess progress, identify disparities, and inform instructional and operational decisions.
Ensure the strategic use of school-based resources to meet instructional needs and advocate for adequate supports at the system level.
Support the engagement and growth of school leadership teams in developing, implementing, and monitoring goals tied to student outcomes.
Talent Management & Leadership Development Recommend for hire, supervise, evaluate, and develop secondary principals and other direct reports.
Lead the district’s hiring processes for secondary school leader vacancies.
Oversee and support district-level directors working in instructional, student support, and school-improvement roles connected to secondary schools.
Provide professional learning for principals to strengthen leadership practice, instructional expertise, and capacity to lead equitable school communities.
Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Build strong relationships with families, staff, students, and community partners to ensure transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving.
Represent the Superintendent and CPS in civic, state, higher-education, and community forums and partnerships.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance school and district priorities.
Address and facilitate timely and effective solutions to school-based issues as they arise.
Operations, Planning & Oversight Lead Grades 6–12 programmatic budget planning, ensuring that resources are aligned to teaching, learning, and student-experience priorities.
Ensure full implementation of district, state, and federal policies related to curriculum, instruction, leadership evaluation, safety, and compliance.
Serve as an advisor to the Superintendent on matters related to secondary education, data trends, and school performance.
Fulfill additional responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.