Executive Director, Elementary

Santa Barbara USD•Santa Barbara, CA

About The Position

The Executive Director of Elementary Education plans, implements, and monitors the District’s elementary academic programs. In collaboration with site and District leaders, the Executive Director ensures that academic and other school programs—including dual language, Early Ed, and A-OK—are aligned across the District and meet the needs of all learners. The role oversees curriculum development and PK–12 articulation, program accountability, communication, school climate and culture, and the work of instructional coaches. The Executive Director monitors the progress of EML, SED, and SWD students to support academic progress for all. The position leads equity-centered, student-focused work across the District, including instructional improvement, staff performance, program evaluation, organizational accountability, and professional learning. It also supports principals and other leaders in building a culture of continuous improvement and positive school climate. The job description additionally assigns civil-rights compliance responsibilities for ADA/Title II and Title IX roles, including coordination, complaint handling, investigation, decision-making, and appeals, as applicable to the designated role. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt certificated management position. The role reports to the Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services. The position involves working with school-site staff and private partners, preparing and presenting reports, and using computers, tablets, software, and other tools. Physical demands include lifting items needed for work, sitting, standing, walking, speaking, hearing, using vision, reaching, and handling objects or operating equipment. Environmental exposures may include childhood and adult illnesses, varied weather, and chemicals used for cleaning, instruction, or equipment operation.

Requirements

California Administrative Services Credential.
Management or executive experience, preferably in an elementary public education setting.
Experience as a site principal.
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Knowledge of equity, cultural proficiency, cultural awareness, implicit bias, and anti-racist practice.
Knowledge of two-way communication methods that enhance the District’s standing with families, students, and employees.
Knowledge of transformational systems leadership.
Knowledge of customer-service principles and processes, including needs assessment, quality standards, and customer-satisfaction evaluation.
Ability to implement an equity agenda that centers school programs on the acceptance and achievement of all students.
Ability to operate a computer, tablet, and proprietary or mass-market software or applications.
Strong interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to establish accountability measures focused on equal educational opportunities for all students and families, particularly socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse communities.
Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, and Education Code related to school finance.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to present to diverse audiences.
Ability to meet the described physical demands, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Doctorate degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and develop a strong academic culture, communication, and systems and processes grounded in equity and student-centered decisions.
Manage staff performance through clear performance expectations, effective observations, actionable documented feedback, and assistance or guidance as needed.
Lead principals, site leaders, and teacher teams in meeting established goals for a socio-economically, culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse student population.
Manage, support, and collaborate with school-site personnel to ensure frequent reviews of Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Science materials.
Make informed decisions and recommendations on District matters so programming represents all students, particularly underrepresented youth.
Design systems and processes that ensure consistency and, where appropriate, parallel approaches across the District.
Work with principals and other leaders to assess and improve instruction and the academic program, particularly for underrepresented youth.
Meet regularly with supervisors to maintain coordination and implementation of District programs.
Supervise and coordinate implementation of District programs with principals and other leaders, including textbook and instructional-material reviews and selection through faculty committees; recommend selected materials to the Superintendent for Board adoption.
Ensure internal systems track and monitor review progress and work with principals and staff to produce and present high-quality reports efficiently and effectively.
Determine appropriate organizational metrics in partnership with the leadership team and Board.
Collaborate with site administrators, site leadership teams, and PLCs to raise student achievement, particularly for diverse student populations.
Oversee academic and other programming to promote equitable outcomes across student groups.
Assist in carrying out the Superintendent’s and Board’s objectives related to school culture and student achievement.
Lead and guide principals in promoting continuous improvement throughout the District.
Lead principals and staff in organizational process or policy changes that promote a positive culture and climate for all students.
Promote equity, cultural proficiency and awareness, implicit-bias awareness, and an anti-racist agenda, and support related initiatives among site and District leaders and staff.
Ensure communication methods and messages enhance the District’s standing with families, students, and employees.
Plan, organize, direct, and oversee academic programming and professional learning across the District.
Research, prepare, and present clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
Maintain contacts and positive relationships with school-site staff and private partners.
Perform other duties as assigned.
As applicable to assigned civil-rights compliance roles, coordinate ADA/Title II and Section 504 compliance; receive and address accommodation requests and disability-access complaints; coordinate accessibility reviews; and maintain records and monitor for retaliation.
As applicable to assigned Title IX roles, coordinate compliance and training, receive and manage reports and complaints, offer supportive measures, conduct impartial investigations or determinations, manage eligible informal resolution and appeals, maintain records, and meet required timelines.