2027-2028 Executive Director – High Schools

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MO

About The Position

The Executive Director – High Schools is an instructional leader in the Learning Department who supports the district’s educational program, mission, vision, and goals. The role directs and monitors teaching-and-learning processes in secondary schools and programs, supports principals and department leaders, and evaluates results and improvement cycles to promote student engagement and academic achievement. The position is responsible for secondary-division academic success and leadership development, including supporting principals, evaluating school and leader performance, building leadership capacity, and aligning supports across the Learning Division. It also addresses escalated school-operation issues; collaborates with the Board of Education, educators, district leaders, and other stakeholders; manages budgets and personnel functions; prepares complex documentation and presentations; and carries out related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a job-related area from an accredited college or university.
At least five years of recent and relevant experience in a leadership role within the education and technology-related field, with increasing levels of responsibility.
Proven experience leading effective teams and individuals, managing organizational change, and initiating key innovations.
Administrator certification as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Must pass a Criminal Background Clearance with results satisfactory to the District.
Knowledge of and strong belief in Springfield Public Schools’ vision, mission, and educational model, and ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, flexible, and autonomous environment.
Strong analytical, performance-management, accountability, and systems-thinking competencies to inform strategic planning and execution.
Ability to perform multiple technical tasks and routinely upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions.
Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to navigate all organizational levels, the school network, and external stakeholders.
Ability to build and maintain relationships that support District operational objectives.
Cultural competency and understanding of and empathy for students, families, staff, and the community.
Ability to analyze situations, define issues, draw conclusions, and create action plans.
Ability to schedule activities, meetings, and events; gather, collate, and classify data; and use job-related equipment.
Ability to work with others in varied circumstances, handle data using defined processes, and operate equipment using defined methods.
Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups, varied types and purposes of data, and job-related equipment.
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to use critical thinking and problem solving to improve work processes and convey technical information to non-technical audiences.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, set priorities, meet deadlines and schedules, work with detailed information, and adapt to changing priorities.
Ability to work as part of a team and with frequent interruptions.
Ability to set high expectations, monitor progress toward goals, and give and receive effective feedback for continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate degree in a job-related area from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

Lead the academic success of the secondary division, including leadership excellence and instructional supports.
Support principals in school leadership matters to promote student engagement and achievement.
Direct and evaluate improvement cycles based on school and leader performance, aligned with Learning Division and District goals and strategic plans.
Build the capacity and support the ongoing growth and development of secondary leaders, including principals, assistant principals, and future leaders.
Collaborate with executive directors and other Learning Division leadership to align student supports.
Monitor and evaluate principals and other direct reports to continuously improve performance.
Respond to escalated school-operation issues in a manner consistent with policy, practice, and strategic plans.
Collaborate with Board of Education members as directed by the Deputy Superintendent of Academics, responding to inquiries and presenting results.
Collaborate with educators across the system to develop innovative approaches to learning and provide support.
Develop and manage budgets, allocations, expenditures, fund balances, and related financial activities while ensuring accurate allocations and revenue records, budget compliance, and adherence to fiscal practices.
Perform personnel administrative functions to maintain necessary staffing, enhance staff productivity, and support department and program outcomes.
Prepare complex materials documenting activities and issues, meeting compliance requirements, providing audit references, making presentations, and supporting requested actions.
Present information on administrative topics, provide general information and training, and implement actions aligned with District objectives.
Address issues involving staff, policy or regulatory conflicts, community concerns, and parental requests by identifying relevant issues and recommending or implementing an effective resolution plan.
Serve as liaison between the principal organization and the District to convey and gather information.
Perform other related duties as required or assigned to support efficient and effective work-unit functioning.