Chief Academic Officer

Syracuse City School District•Syracuse, NY

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) will work collaboratively with all members of the Executive Team to ensure coordinated planning and consistent implementation of the District's strategic plan, making certain that programs and priorities are focused on eliminating the achievement gap and improving student achievement. The CAO will provide leadership to communicate system priorities and ensure collaborative work processes to effectively and efficiently utilize resources. The CAO will oversee and monitor the implementation of systemic cross-functional strategic projects and initiatives, will provide support to instructional directors and coordinators, and will monitor these projects and initiatives to ensure they lead to high student achievement. The CAO will foster a work environment that is student-focused and results-oriented and that places priority on student learning and performance. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CAO will articulate to various local and state officials the District's strategic initiatives and alignment of programs. The CAO will plan, direct, develop, coordinate and review system wide projects in curriculum development and related instructional and extracurricular services and is responsible for system wide services for all academic programs. The CAO will work closely with the other members of the Executive Leadership Team.

Requirements

Combined minimum 10 years’ successful experience in teaching, curriculum development, school administration, professional supervision, staff development and/or budget preparations
Minimum 3 years’ successful experience as a building leader
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, supervision or curriculum development
New York State School District Leader Certificate (SDL) or School District Administrator (SDA), reciprocity given to candidates from other states
Broad knowledge of modern research-based instructional techniques and teaching methods
Ability to work frequent nights, weekends and holidays as required

Responsibilities

Provides leadership and directs the development of Pre-K – 12 academic programs and new course design
Identifies and implements effective curriculum and instructional policies and practices that maximize educational options that lead to improved achievement for all students
Reviews, approves and maintains the Program of Studies and interprets state and local policies related to credit, graduation requirements and the total instructional program; and helps to identify training needs and participates in developing staff training programs
Conducts evaluations of key program initiatives as a means of informing the Superintendent as to the effectiveness of District programming and recommendations for improvement
Identifies program and project managers and ensures that all project timelines are met
Sets priorities and measurable goals
Provides the required supports to foster a culture that motivates teachers and administrators to perform at the level of excellence necessary to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap
Develops and maintains clear and inclusive decision-making processes to ensure integration of academic supports and services
Serves on cross-functional teams to provide educational and managerial leadership that builds and supports a high performance educational team, inspiring and aligning the academic work of the District
Provides support to schools addressing state and local accountability plans
Displays knowledge of both the practical instructional issues of school reform and educational research and analyses
Monitors education research, trends, and developments to support school improvement efforts and program development; and fosters the sharing of high yield strategies and opportunities for collaboration within and among all levels
Reviews and monitors individual office budgets and expenditures to ensure that they are aligned with the strategic initiatives of the District and that resources are directed appropriately
Provides and distributes material and staff resources to schools and offices, assures their use in the manner and for the purposes intended, and enforces accountability for all disbursements and expenditures, working with and through the Executive Leadership Team
Presents information to the Superintendent, Board of Education, Executive Leadership Team, public groups, and national, state and local officials
Manages the development and oversight of planning initiatives with local and state government
Represents the District, serves as a liaison to relevant matters with the New York State Department of Education and assures that state, federal and local standards and requirements are met
Oversees the development of partnerships with leading educational and community organizations, both locally and nationally, to support and enhance District efforts
Performs other duties as directed by the Superintendent