Director of Strategy

Rocketship Public Schools•Washington, DC

1d•$130,000 - $145,000

About The Position

The Director of Strategy is a key member of the Regional Leadership Team and partners closely with the Executive Director to lead critical work streams supporting the success and sustainability of the region’s schools. Although the role is not student-facing, it directly supports school leaders and regional teams in delivering strong outcomes for students and families. The Director coordinates and executes region-wide priorities spanning annual planning, board governance, charter and regulatory compliance, internal communications, attendance and family engagement, enrollment, and regional growth. This role is suited to a strategic operator and project leader who can manage complex initiatives, build effective systems, and ensure high-quality execution across multiple priorities in a dynamic school-based environment. The role leads the annual regional planning process, translates priorities into plans and timelines, tracks progress, and supports the Executive Director with materials and reviews. It also manages attendance and family engagement strategies, supports Operations Managers, and leads enrollment strategy and operations, including recruitment campaigns and enrollment systems. Additional responsibilities include regional communications; Board of Directors coordination and governance; charter applications, renewals, amendments, and regulatory compliance; regional expansion planning; and crisis coordination in partnership with communications and legal teams. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and seven years of professional experience in strategy, operations, consulting, public-sector leadership, or education management. The advertised salary is $130,000–$145,000 per year. Rocketship Public Schools also offers health and welfare benefits, a 403(b) retirement plan, a flexible spending account, and generous paid time off.

Requirements

Seven years of professional experience in strategy, operations, consulting, public-sector leadership, or education management.
Demonstrated success managing complex projects or operational workstreams involving multiple stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of executive- and board-facing materials.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
High discretion and sound judgment when handling sensitive issues affecting schools and communities.
Deep commitment to educational equity and advancing outcomes for students served by Rocketship schools.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working in or with schools; alternatively, eagerness to spend time in schools and learn their operations.
Experience with boards, governance structures, charter authorizers, or public-sector compliance.
Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Deep experience using data to drive decision-making.
Relationship-building and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience in a nonprofit and/or startup.
Results- and quality-focused approach with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

Lead the annual regional planning process, including the three-year strategic plan, in partnership with the Executive Director and Regional Leadership Team.
Translate regional priorities into clear plans, timelines, and project structures; track progress and identify risks or delays.
Support the Executive Director with materials, updates, and progress reviews on regional priorities.
Manage attendance strategies to improve student retention and reduce chronic absenteeism.
Oversee family engagement initiatives and ensure schools have clear goals, structures, and execution plans.
Develop and support Operations Managers in meeting enrollment, attendance, and family engagement goals.
Lead regional enrollment strategy and execution to achieve full enrollment at all schools each year.
Manage the enrollment team and oversee recruitment campaigns, community outreach, and family engagement initiatives that support enrollment.
Partner with network Strategy, Data, and Enrollment teams to set enrollment targets and manage performance across the enrollment funnel.
Monitor weekly enrollment data and adjust strategies to maintain strong performance and drive improvement.
Oversee the use of HubSpot, SchoolMint, and PowerSchool for prospective-family engagement and enrollment operations.
Partner with school leaders to align enrollment strategies with school priorities and community needs.
Lead regional internal communications and develop executive communications on behalf of the Executive Director.
Disseminate key updates in a timely way and align regional messaging with network-level communications.
Coordinate and manage the regional Board of Directors in partnership with the Executive Director.
Plan board and committee meetings, including scheduling, agenda development, and materials preparation.
Manage board calendars, documentation, and governance processes to support compliance with bylaws and charter requirements.
Coordinate board member onboarding, training, and documentation, and partner with national teams on governance practices and board engagement.
Manage project planning for charter applications, renewals, and amendments for regional schools.
Oversee authorizer compliance and reporting requirements, documentation, deadlines, and coordination with network teams.
Monitor regulatory requirements and policy updates affecting regional schools, and develop processes to maintain compliance.
Partner with regional and national teams on compliance challenges and relationships with authorizers and regulatory bodies.
Manage planning and execution of regional expansion initiatives, including new school launches, grade-level growth, and enrollment processes.
Research potential expansion opportunities, including enrollment demand, facilities considerations, and community partnerships.
Coordinate cross-functional readiness across facilities, enrollment, staffing, operations, and community engagement.
Build relationships with community leaders, families, and other stakeholders to advance sustainable regional growth.
Lead regional crisis coordination with Marketing/Communications and Legal teams.
Develop and maintain crisis response protocols prioritizing student safety, school continuity, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate timely communications during high-stakes situations and support school leaders and regional staff in navigating sensitive or high-risk issues.