Executive Director, Sizer School

Eos Transitions•Fitchburg, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Sizer School, a regional charter public school serving grades 7-12 with over 270 students from twenty north central Massachusetts cities and towns, is seeking an Executive Director. Opened in 2002, Sizer School is dedicated to educating students in a personalized, intellectually challenging, and active learning environment. The school's mission is to foster graduates who think for themselves, care about others, and act creatively and responsibly, guided by the Common Principles of an Essential School. Key design elements include personalized learning where every student is known well, rigorous intellectual work for all students, and a professional learning community led by teachers and staff. Sizer's educational philosophy emphasizes active learning and student voice, equipping students with the tools for success and leadership. The school operates from a custom-designed building, has an annual budget of approximately $6 million, and employs about sixty dedicated teachers and staff. The school is overseen by a six-member Board of Trustees. The position is open for the 2026-27 school year, with the current Executive Director remaining until a successor is hired.

Requirements

A minimum of five years of senior educational leadership or equivalent experience.
Master's degree required.
Passion for/commitment to/experience with Sizer's unique mission and the essential school model.
Successful track record leading a school, educational organization, or affiliated nonprofit of similar scale and size in terms of educational program, student population (urban to rural), and staff.
Skilled at developing, managing, and reporting financials and ensuring strong compliance with charter regulations and reporting, audits, and governance best practices.
An experienced, grounded executive who leads with humility, empathy, accountability, and genuine appreciation for the young people and families served by Sizer and who can consistently prioritize student needs in every decision.
Able to leverage one's educational knowledge and philosophy to support the school's Principal and other educators to achieve results and resolve academic-related issues.
Present in the day-to-day life of the school and inspired by and energized to be in relationship will all students and staff.
Proactive problem-solver who encourages innovation and balances collaboration with the ability to make final decisions.
Honest, fair, empathetic, and approachable team leader who genuinely loves children and can build trusting relationships with students, families, and staff.
High emotional and cultural intelligence with a commitment to empowering others, hearing and respecting all voices, embracing diverse perspectives, and ensuring the entire school community feels valued and heard.
Strong listening skills, openness to feedback, and able to build relationships and collaborate with Sizer's diverse community.
Clear, honest, consistent communicator who maintains an open-door policy, is accessible to the community, and regularly and broadly shares updates on decisions, initiatives, and challenges.
Eager to and able to build strong community partnerships and serve as Sizer's public face to grow awareness, challenge misperceptions, promote positive perceptions, and grow enrollment.
Understanding of Sizer's unique identity as a regional charter school and the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its diverse student population.
Inspired to be the articulate, passionate, and dogged spokesperson and representative for Sizer.
Skilled at growing partnerships to expand opportunities for Sizer's students and the broader community.
A CORI check will be required for finalists.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of/experience in the charter public school sector or at a standalone school is a plus.

Responsibilities

Ensuring student achievement and effectively and efficiently overseeing all school operations, finances, enrollment, culture, governance, and resource development.
Navigating the leadership transition, ensuring that existing and strong relationships are maintained and grown with students, parents, teachers, staff, community leaders, education partners, government officials, DESE, and supporters.
Supporting the school's Principal in his charge to continuously raise the school's academic rigor and student achievement to ensure Sizer remains a school of choice for parents seeking an exceptional student-centered educational option.
Working collaboratively with the Principal to develop and implement strategies to recruit, onboard, develop, and retain experienced teachers and staff in a highly competitive job market.
Developing and sustaining a marketing and communications strategy that highlights the school's unique strengths, counterbalances misperceptions of Sizer, and grows student enrollment.
Networking regularly with community organizations and educational partners to sustain and expand academic and career opportunities for students.
Ensuring Sizer has the appropriate staffing, programs, and spaces to deliver the individualized educational program each student requires regardless of ability while overseeing and maximizing the potential of a highly effective and cohesive senior leadership team.
Partnering with the Board and the community to secure the resources needed to fund any capital projects or to expand programs and extracurricular activities.