Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter School, Executive Director

Edgility Search•Philadelphia, PA

37d•$180,000 - $200,000

About The Position

This is an extraordinary moment for a visionary, community-centered leader to guide one of Philadelphia’s most beloved and mission-driven public charter schools into its next chapter. FACTS stands at the intersection of cultural celebration, academic excellence, and social justice—offering a rare opportunity to steward a model that seamlessly blends rigorous learning with the power of folk arts, identity, and community. As the Executive Director, you will partner with a talented Principal, a committed staff, and a deeply invested community to strengthen what makes FACTS exceptional while guiding the school toward future growth, sustainability, and impact. You will bring strategic clarity, equity-centered leadership, and a collaborative spirit to advance FACTS’ mission, support and develop its people, and ensure strong organizational systems that allow students and educators to thrive. This opportunity is ideal for a leader who believes that schools can be joyful, inclusive, culturally rich spaces—and who is ready to champion that vision with authenticity, humility, and boldness. You will have the chance to amplify FACTS’ voice across Philadelphia, deepen partnerships with families and community organizations, and ensure that resources, operations, and relationships all align to the school’s powerful mission. If you are energized by community-rooted education, aspire to build a more just and equitable world that honors family and culture, and eager to build on a strong foundation while shaping what’s possible alongside students, families, and staff, this role offers the chance to make a lasting difference for generations of children, families, and educators.

Requirements

Deep commitment to FACTS’ mission, values, and community-centered, identity affirming education.
Demonstrated equity leadership with experience serving diverse, multilingual communities and leading anti-bias, anti-racist, and inclusive practices.
At least 5–7 years of organizational or school-based leadership, preferably in K–8 or charter settings.
Proven people leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, developing, and retaining staff.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and fostering a collaborative, trust-based adult culture.
Strong organizational leadership abilities, including designing and sustaining effective systems, structures, and routines.
Experience providing oversight of organizational or school operations (e.g., facilities, technology, compliance, student services) while empowering team leads.
Skill in leading change management, with the ability to communicate transparently and bring stakeholders along.
Strong community engagement and external relations experience, especially with culturally diverse families and local partners.
Financial management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and aligning resources to strategic priorities.
Development or fundraising experience, with the ability to cultivate funders and articulate mission-driven impact.
Excellent communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to represent the school clearly and credibly.

Responsibilities

Champion and embody FACTS’ mission—grounded in folk arts, academic excellence, and social justice—across all programs and decisions, fostering a culture of curiosity and critical thinking.
Protect and strengthen the founding vision while guiding the school toward its next chapter; ensure all initiatives reflect the school’s commitment to joyful, rigorous, identity affirming education.
Model transparency, integrity, and consistency in decision-making; serve as the primary ambassador for FACTS’ values and purpose.
Lead with deep cultural competence and humility; foster an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-bias culture that honors the diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic identities of students, staff, and families.
Monitor systems for bias to ensure that multilingual learners and historically marginalized students receive the resources and supports they need to thrive.
Build an environment where multiple truths are held, difficult conversations are navigated with compassion, and the whole community feels valued and respected.
Build, coach, and retain a mission-aligned team grounded in shared accountability, collaboration, and continuous growth.
Share leadership through listening, synthesizing, collaboration, and transparent communication; cultivate a strong, trust-based adult culture that reflects FACTS’ values.
Oversee human resources strategy including hiring, onboarding, staff evaluation, labor relations, and professional development opportunities that support staff flourishing and retention.
Ensure the school has strong systems, structures, routines, and aligned goals that support effective teaching, learning, schoolwide coordination, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
Provide strategic oversight and support for all non-instructional operations, ensuring strong systems, effective coordination, and smooth day-to-day functioning across areas such as facilities, technology, student services, and administrative operations.
Build and maintain cross-functional alignment across teams and divisions while balancing continuity with thoughtful improvement.
Lead adaptive, mission-aligned change that honors FACTS’ history and culture while preparing the school for future needs.
Communicate with clarity, transparency, and consistency during transitions; bring stakeholders along through thoughtful engagement and collaborative planning.
Anticipate challenges, respond to evolving external conditions, and adjust strategy while staying grounded in FACTS’ values and long-term goals.
Serve as FACTS’ primary public ambassador—strengthening relationships with families, neighborhood partners, Asian American communities, immigrant and refugee communities, and other stakeholders who have historically built and supported FACTS.
Build reciprocal partnerships with community organizations, cultural institutions, and local leaders that enhance student experiences and strengthen FACTS’ identity.
Represent FACTS with authorizers, funders, civic leaders, and the broader charter school sector; elevate the school’s visibility and reputation through clear, culturally responsive communication.
Steward FACTS’ financial health, ensuring that budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations align to strategy and long-term sustainability.
Provide strategic oversight and partnership to the Board and team in cultivating major gifts, government funding, and foundation support.
Serve as a credible storyteller who connects FACTS’ mission and impact to philanthropic partners; ensure financial practices reflect responsibility, transparency, and equity.