Director, Academic Strategy & Effectiveness (0993): Educational Services

San Francisco Unified School District•San Francisco, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) is seeking a Director, Academic Strategy & Effectiveness to provide strategic support to the Deputy Superintendent of Education Services. This role is crucial for overseeing the execution of SFUSD's Vision, Values, Goals and Guardrails, ensuring alignment across departments and initiatives. The Director will manage high-priority projects, coordinate cross-functional work, oversee operational systems, and advance organizational effectiveness to support student success and district goals. This position also serves as a key liaison among district leadership, staff, schools, community partners, and the Board of Education, facilitating the timely execution of strategic initiatives and effective communication throughout the organization.

Requirements

7-10 years of demonstrable success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through implementation, including the ability to establish clear goals, milestones, measures of success, and accountability structures through influence and without formal authority.
Strong analytical skills and demonstrated experience using quantitative and qualitative data to identify problems, develop solutions, monitor performance, and drive decision-making.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear recommendations, executive communications, presentations, and stakeholder-facing materials.
Demonstrated ability to improve organizational systems, processes, or services.
Strong project and change management skills, including the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
Sound judgment and discretion when navigating sensitive, confidential, politically complex, or high-stakes issues.
An orientation toward continuous improvement, including the ability to identify root causes, challenge existing practices, and translate ideas into sustainable systems.
Possession of a baccalaureate degree in education, public administration, business administration, or other closely related field from an accredited college or university.
Four (4) years of professional experience in strategy and operations, academics, organizational effectiveness, project or program management, change management, public administration, or a closely related field.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience working in K–12 education, including experience as a teacher or school administrator.
Experience working with large, complex budgets.

Responsibilities

Support the Deputy Superintendent in advancing the Superintendent's strategic priorities and district-wide initiatives, including review of the budget and associated administrative procedures to ensure effective operationalization of the Deputy Superintendent’s vision.
Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of high-impact projects and organizational initiatives.
Develop project plans, timelines, performance metrics, and accountability structures to ensure successful execution.
Identify risks, barriers, and opportunities and recommend solutions to district leadership.
Support day-to-day functioning of Deputy Superintendents and all direct reports, ensuring seamless integration into priorities; represent the Deputy Superintendent when requested.
Coordinate cross-departmental initiatives to ensure alignment, collaboration, and efficient use of resources.
Facilitate executive decision-making by conducting research, preparing analyses, and developing recommendations.
Support the development and implementation of organizational policies, procedures, and operational improvements.
Build and maintain effective relationships with district leaders, staff, community organizations, families, and Board of Education.
Support the development of executive communications, presentations, board materials, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Coordinate responses to sensitive issues requiring executive-level attention.
Analyze data to provide meaningful insights into District operations and effectiveness.
Oversee systems for tracking district priorities, action items, and organizational performance.
Monitor progress on strategic goals and prepare reports for executive leadership.
Support budget planning and resource allocation related to strategic initiatives.
Ensure compliance with district policies, applicable laws, and regulations.
Provide high-quality customer service to all community members.
Design and implement high-functioning systems to allow for all work to be completed and communicated in a timely, proactive and supportive manner.
Provide leadership, coaching, and supervision to assigned project teams.
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, equity, and continuous improvement.
Support talent development and organizational capacity-building efforts.