Chief Academic Officer

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

3d•$175,000 - $210,000

About The Position

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is seeking a Chief Academic Officer (CAO) to champion the district’s instructional vision and advance academic excellence across its schools. The CAO is a member of the CEO’s cabinet and leads the Office of Teaching & Learning, the Office of Student Services, and the Office of Schools, aligning their work to support high-quality instruction and effective school operations. The division aims to provide intellectually rich experiences that prepare students for college, career, and life. The CAO will lead the academic aspects of the Building Brighter Futures initiative and build on the district’s centralized academic strategy, core curricula, and unified assessment system. Priorities include improving reading and math proficiency, college readiness, graduation, and access to advanced coursework and college and career pathways. The role requires strong instructional and operational leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex systems in a large, unionized public-sector environment, along with working knowledge of Cleveland’s schools, community, relationships, and labor dynamics. The CAO leads a team of more than 80 professionals, including four direct reports, and oversees academic programming, school support, professional development, budgets, partnerships, and reporting to district and community stakeholders. The position reports to the Chief Executive Officer. It is an exempt administration and professional position based in Administration or as assigned. The posted salary range is $175,000–$210,000, commensurate with experience, with a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in K–12 education in a public school district with demographics similar to CMSD.
A master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
A demonstrated record of improving student outcomes through data-driven decision-making, ideally in an urban, unionized K–12 public school district.
Experience managing large teams and holding leaders accountable for results.
Demonstrated commitment to public education and advocacy for all scholars, especially scholars of color living in highly impacted environments.
Deep knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and interventions, with demonstrated impact on student achievement and growth.
Ability to plan and administer academic and instructional programming coordinated across schools and departments.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, analyze data and root causes, develop solutions, plan and manage projects, set success metrics, and deliver measurable results.
Ability to balance school-based decision-making and school leaders’ autonomy with coherence and equity across schools.
Ability to build, manage, coach, and hold senior leaders accountable for performance, collaboration, communication, and transparency.
Ability to communicate clearly and transparently and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Understanding of the political, community, operational, and labor dynamics that shape leadership decisions.
Understanding of trauma and behavioral health impacts on student learning.
Ability to make student-centered decisions and foster inclusive conditions for students to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree.
Holds or is eligible for an Administrator License in the State of Ohio.

Responsibilities

Lead the academic aspects of Building Brighter Futures implementation, including expanding enrollment and scheduling in advanced coursework across schools.
Ensure coherence across academic programming, including curriculum and instruction, career and college success, early childhood, and fine arts.
Strengthen academic structures and drive continuous improvement to advance proficiency in alignment with district goals and guardrails.
Increase student enrollment and participation in district college and career pathways and programs.
Ensure core curriculum instruction addresses diverse learner needs and is supplemented by enrichment and interventions as needed.
Serve as the CEO and Cabinet’s primary academic advisor and align academics with school systems and organizational priorities.
Ensure program areas comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Build on academic systems, program design, and organizational structure to achieve student achievement priorities.
Use data-driven structures to develop and refine strategies that advance student achievement and districtwide improvement.
Evaluate academic processes and track progress toward goals supporting student learning.
Ensure high-quality professional development for schools, principals, and staff that aligns with district priorities and the academic vision.
Oversee schools through Area Superintendents who manage, coach, and mentor school leaders to improve student achievement.
Lead, manage, and develop a team of more than 80 professionals across Teaching & Learning, Student Services, Schools, and the CAO’s academic strategy function.
Partner with the Office of Schools to maintain a regular, visible presence in schools and observe and evaluate instructional alignment, school climate, student behavior, and school leadership.
Foster high expectations, shared strategic goals, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement.
Oversee and coordinate Academics Division budgets, including staffing, instructional materials, resources, and district activities.
Promote collaboration across functional areas and with internal and external partners.
Represent the CEO on academic and instructional matters as needed.
Ensure systems and processes support high-quality family and community engagement.
Present briefings and written reports to the Board of Education, Mayor, city education leaders, legislators, government officials, philanthropic partners, and other stakeholders.
Oversee updates and data reporting related to the Board’s goals and guardrails and support the CEO on major decisions.
Manage partnerships and community relationships with care, anticipating reactions to difficult, high-visibility decisions such as school consolidation.