About the Position:

Prospect Schools is looking to add an experienced senior instructional leader (Senior Director or higher, commensurate with experience) to our network academic team to lead academic strategy in partnership with our Chief Academic & Schools Officer. The Sr. Director of Network Teaching and Learning will also lead the network instructional teams to support our school leaders to produce the outcomes our students deserve.

Reporting to the Chief Academic & Schools Officer, the Sr. Director of Network Teaching & Learning would: 1) Oversee the execution of academic strategy for the entire network program (e.g., curriculum, assessments, special services, arts & athletics, student culture supports), 2) Develop and execute a vision of professional learning and capacity building for all educators -- teachers and leaders, 3) In partnership with our data team, leverage insights on student performance to recommend and drive improvements to our instructional program, 4) Ensure our equity vision is thoughtfully and intentionally woven into our program design and execution and 5.) Lead, develop, evaluate, and hold accountable the network academic team which currently includes Directors of STEM, Literacy, Student Supports, School Culture, Academic Operations and Associate Directors of Science, and Student Supports.

The Organization:

Prospect Schools is a high performing, intentionally diverse (“diverse by design”) K-12 college preparatory charter network serving more than 2,700 students in seven (soon to be 8!) schools in Brooklyn. Prospect Schools models its curriculum on the renowned International Baccalaureate Program, a rigorous program that raises the level of academic responsibility for students while also preparing them to be global citizens. 

Our experienced team is dedicated to our mission to prepare a diverse student body to have a positive impact on society and develop a lifelong passion for learning, and guided by our Core Values:

• Curiosity: Develop sound judgment and intellect by asking questions confidently and thinking critically

• Care: Support others by grounding every action in empathy while championing equity and inclusion  

• Persistence: Grow and learn by solving problems with determination, creativity and tenacity

• Passion: Succeed by approaching challenges with excitement, enthusiasm and self-assurance

We have a vision to become, by 2025, the leading network of intentionally diverse schools where all students and educators can learn, work and thrive. Find out more about who we are and what we believe by spending a few minutes reading our Prospector Principles, viewing this peek inside our schools, or reading some stories about our students and educators.

Primary Job Functions:

Instructional Leadership

• Closing racial achievement gaps: By virtue of our schools’ intentionally diverse design, Prospect Schools is laser focused on eliminating disparities between our students to ensure that all of our students are able to succeed, regardless of their race, income, gender, ability, or any other marker. The Sr. Director of Teaching & Learning is responsible for the execution of our academic strategy that  builds and refines the systems, structures, and resources our educators need to ensure equitable outcomes for all of our students.

• Lead the programmatic growth and alignment of the organization’s curriculum and instruction structures and practices aligned to our academic KPIs

• Lead, develop, evaluate, and hold accountable the network academic team which currently includes Directors of STEM, Literacy, Student Supports, School Culture, Academic Operations and Associate Directors of Science, and Student Supports, deploy the team strategically based on data driven insights. 

• Work closely with Chief Academic & Schools Officer, Deputy Chiefs of School, CEO, Chief team, functional department leaders and School based Leaders to set and implement large-scale instructional priorities and initiatives to achieve equitable outcomes for all students.

• Dramatically work to innovate strategies to close the internal achievement gap across the Prospect Schools Network

Curriculum Design & Instructional Strategy

• Collaborate with network data team on collecting, analyzing, and supporting school-based leaders’ response to student achievement data

• Build and hold people accountable to systems that increase organizational efficiency and promote scalability and alignment

• Develop cohesive strategy for vertical and horizontal alignment within and across content areas K-12

• Oversee the effective administration of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

• Establish systems to ensure regular evaluation of the impact of our instructional program.

• Establish systems to ensure regular review of our instructional program to ensure it is culturally affirming, engaging, relevant, and rigorous for ALL students

• Lead the charge on creation of annual academic planning calendar and instructional professional development scope and sequence

• Manage and partner with the Network Director of School Culture to ensure a cohesive approach to school culture, social emotional development that ensures all schools have a clear vision and strategy for culture that is complementary to our instructional program.

• Keep up to speed with education, brain science, and pedagogical best practices to ensure continuous improvement in our school’s educational approach.

Professional Development

• Set and implement the vision for network-supported professional learning for all educators that includes; curriculum internalization and implementation, intellectual preparation, data driven planning and culturally relevant teaching practices.

• Lead the network academic team in creating and facilitating both educator and school leader-facing professional development during New Faculty Retreat, summer training, network driven PD days, Emerging leaders, Principal in Residence programming, ongoing professional development for school based associate and Directors throughout the year

Candidate Requirements:

The Sr. Director of Teaching & Learning of Prospect Schools will possess the following professional experience, skills, and personal characteristics that validate their stated readiness to assume this role:

The successful candidate will bring to the role the following professional experience: 

• A seasoned, senior leader with a track record of managing a team to achieve ambitious goals At least 5 years of administrative experience at the school or network-level (e.g., Principal, AP of Instruction, content specialist,senior level instructional consultant etc.)

• A track record of achieving outstanding results for students in a team leadership role (principal and network leadership experience preferred)

• Ability and expertise in curriculum, assessment, special services, and socioemotional development (IB experience is a plus)

• Ability to develop, clearly communicate, and motivate others towards implementing a compelling multi-year academic strategy; 

• Demonstrated success in change management, ideally including building a culture of feedback; and

• A reputation for having the interpersonal and leadership skills required to work across multiple schools and leaders, particularly across lines of difference.

Further, the successful candidate will possess the following skills: 

• High cultural competency and great comfort working in a diverse community and in an organization striving to become racially equitable;

• Ability and inclination to take a strategic approach to solving complex problems, and creating meaning in ambiguity;

• Exceptional organizational, project management, meeting facilitation, communication (both verbal and written), and interpersonal skills; and

• The ability to identify, cultivate, and coach leadership potential in individuals

The successful candidate must possess these personal characteristics: 

• Alignment with our mission, of serving an intentionally diverse student body and a deeply held belief that all children have the right to a high quality education, and dedication to the educational success of students from underserved communities; 

• A continuous learning mindset and ability to use feedback to improve one’s own work and that of others;

• An inclination toward creative and highly collaborative work with colleagues and across functions in support of our program; and

• Ability to manage dynamic projects across various timelines and diverse stakeholder groups

• Excellent communication skills -- verbal and written

• Ability to adapt in a dynamic environment

Reporting Relationships:

The Network Sr. Director of Teaching & Learning will report directly to the Chief Academic & Schools Officer. They will also collaborate closely with Prospect School’s CEO, C-team, functional directors, school leaders, and faculty and staff across our network. 

In our current structure, the Sr. Director of Teaching & Learning will directly manage Directors of STEM, Literacy, Student Supports, School Culture, Academic Operations and Associate Directors of Science, and Student Supports.

Compensation and Benefits 

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid Time Off (PTO) or Paid Sick Time (PST) based on date of hire and hours worked per week

• 401(K) and Roth IRA with a 4% employer match with a 3-year vesting schedule

• Flexible spending accounts, including Transit Commuter Options, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA options

• Ancillary insurance, including Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

• Employee Assistance Program with free expert support services to assist with a variety of life issues, from family care to mental health services

Prospect Schools seeks either Sr. Director or higher for this role, the final title and corresponding salary range will be determined based on the previous scope, tenure, and seniority level of experience of the candidate hired. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. The first year salary range for this role is for a Senior Director is $150,000-180,000.

 If you are a current employee, please submit a Talent Ticket confirming you have applied for this role.