Executive Director Position

Innovation Science and Technology Academy (Innovation Academy) is accepting applications for the position of the Executive Director.

Position Summary: The successful candidate will be a proven leader with a commitment to the school’s vision and mission. The Executive Director (ED) will report directly to the Innovation Academy School Board of Directors and serve as the highest administrator at Innovation Academy School.

Job Type: This position is full-time.

Compensation: Negotiable and commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Responsibilities and Duties:

The Executive Director will work with the Innovation Academy Board of Directors, teachers, parent organization, and community leaders in the following specific areas:

Enacting Mission and Vision

• Demonstrate a professional commitment to pluralism and intercultural competence.

• Enrich the diversity of identity, lived experience and thinking that makes a community strong and empowers students to engage across differences.

• Maintain a balanced school budget, such that is best promotes the mission and vision of the school.

Board Work

• Work closely with and in support of the Board of Directors.

• Serve as primary liaison to the school’s Board of Directors. MDE, and any other public entities with whom the school is involved.

• Assure that the school complies with state and federal law, its Charter, and the requirements of any funding sources it receives.

Organizational Leadership

• Work with teachers to develop curriculum standards.

• Hire and train staff and respond to disciplinary issues.

• Observe and evaluate teachers in their teaching practice and learning materials to determine areas where improvement is needed.

• Supervise the operations of the school in accordance with school policies.

• Counsel parents, students, and faculty, as appropriate, to support student needs.

Strategic Planning, Operations, and Implementation

• Be actively involved in the daily lives of diverse students through oversight of their academic progress, building leadership team, advisory council and all the activities of the school.

• Model and foster a safe and respectful school community and coordinating responses to student behavior and discipline issues, as appropriate.

• Develop and oversee student schedules and the master calendar.

• Maintain systems for attendance, performance, planning, and other reports.

• Establish and maintain positive, respectful relationships with students, staff, parents, and community members.

• Secure private, state, and federal grants, and direct private fundraising efforts.

• Prepare and maintain employee policies, safety procedures, emergency drills, and evacuation plans and corresponding handbooks.

Education:

Master’s in educational leadership or another advanced professional degree strongly preferred and at least 15 years of professional experience, preferably within the K-12 education system.

Desired Qualifications:

The successful candidate will possess the following:

• A valid principal license.
• Previous experience within a charter school environment and have knowledge of charter school laws.

• Skills to effectively manage the complex systems that support a positive school climate.

• Strong work ethics and a broad understanding of curriculum and philosophy.

• Leadership experience with a proven record of success in leading diverse teams to achieve results.

• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with an ability to manage priorities effectively.

• Exceptional communication skills with an ability to motivate staff, parents, community leaders, and other school stakeholders.

• Strong financial acumen, including a background in budgeting, audit processes, investment oversight, and financial reporting.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applying to charter schools.

• Utmost personal integrity that balances a strong commitment to transparency with necessary confidentiality in sensitive matters.

• Experience forming, cultivating, and expanding partnerships with key figures in the public and private sectors, such as foundations, individuals, corporations, and government agencies.
• Experience using data to inform instructional planning and practice.

• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel, sharing and analyzing student performance results, and constantly working to improve practices.
• Be positive, thoughtful, passionate, motivating, and empowering with staff and students.

• Computer skills- proficiency in email, word processing, spreadsheets, Google Docs, etc.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit the following material in a single PDF file to the attention of the Innovation Academy Search and Selection Committee:

• Letter of intent, including a summary of specific qualifications that match this job description and the Innovation Academy School mission and vision.

• A one-page statement of educational philosophy.

• Current Resume or CV.

• Names and contact information for three current professional references.

The application will remain open until January 10, 2020.

Non-Discrimination Summary

Innovation Academy shall follow the intent of all federal, state, and local employment laws and is committed to equal employment opportunity. To that end, the Board of Directors and Executive Director of Innovation Academy will not discriminate against any employee or applicant in a manner that violates the laws. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law. Each person is evaluated based on personal skill and merit. Innovation Science and Technology Academy’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, job assignments, promotions, working conditions, scheduling, benefits, wage and salary administration, disciplinary action, termination, and social, educational, and recreational programs.

About Innovation Academy School:

Innovation Science and Technology Academy is a highly qualified independent pre-K-12 Charter School for families in the North Metro Area of Minnesota. Innovation Academy’s mission is to foster personalized learning and develop talented student innovators using a cutting-edge curriculum with the collaborative support of staff, parents, and the community. At Innovation Academy, our focus is on science and technology and we promise to prepare students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, and agents of change by igniting their imagination and creativity with hands-on experiences in a nurturing environment. Innovation Academy has been approved by the MN Dept. of Education to serve children of all ethnicity and backgrounds through preschool to twelfth grade and set to open in the fall of 2020!

http://www.innovationsta.org

Job Type: Full-time

Location:

• Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN (Required)

Work authorization:

• United States (Required)

Work Location:

• One location

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday