Job Description

Our Network Support Team seeks a dedicated Senior Academic Officer to join our team. Immediate start date.

Job Summary
The Senior Academic Officer (SAO) will be charged with leading Hiawatha Academies’ vision for excellence for our scholar profile. The SAO role is equivalent to that of a Chief Academic Officer and is a member of the Network Executive Team. The SAO will implement the vision and direction of our academic program.

Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Development

• Lead the Network Instructional Leadership Program Team to operate in partnership with each campus Principal and Instructional Leadership Team and to focus on impact and results
• Participate as member of the Hiawatha Academies Network Leadership Team
• Lead the vision for Instructional Leader development so that instruction across our network leads to academic growth and college preparation in each classroom for every Hiawatha Academies scholar
• Lead members of the Academic Program Team and Principals to plan and implement leadership development for all network and campus instructional leaders

Instructional and Academic Leadership

• Continually align campus programming with the mission, equity vision, and Hiawatha Academies Success Plan
• Support Principal and Academic Program Team members to develop and implement strategic plans for curriculum, assessments, and school improvement
• Share current educational research, trends, and practices and make connections to schools and networks from which we can learn
• Ensure academic program (as planned and implemented) meets or exceeds yearly student outcome goals
• Support Principals to set clear, measurable outcomes based on data from classroom observations and/or survey data; implement strong protocols for looking at student work; engage in shared learning opportunities; provide targeted feedback - all to maximize teacher effectiveness

Cultural Leadership

• Ensure Principals have a clear plan for strengthening academic results and school culture, engage Principals in quarterly academic program analysis, and manage long-term and annual school planning
• Play a role in supporting the equity leadership development of all team members
• Support Principals to foster a school climate aligned with Hiawatha Academies mission and values that supports both student and staff success and promotes respect for all students, staff and families

Data-driven Leadership

• Create a culture where people view data collection and analysis as essential to improving their practice
• Facilitate shared learning experiences for all school leaders
• Regularly lead data-driven discussions about student performance and well-being and ensure that data drives all instruction

Relationship-Building

• Build effective relationships with and among staff members as well as the broader Twin Cities education community
• Collaborate with fellow leaders across the Hiawatha Academies network
• Build a relationship of trust across and between the Academic Program Team and Campus Leadership Teams
• Work collaboratively with the Network Leadership Team to realize Hiawatha Academies’ mission

Additional Duties

• Demonstrate knowledge of and support for Hiawatha Academies’ mission, equity vision, core values, goals, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior
• Adhere to Hiawatha’s Human Resource policies and state/federal employment laws

Skills and Qualifications
Required

• Bachelor Degree
• Passion for the mission, equity vision, and core values of Hiawatha Academies with a deep belief that all children should have access to the quality schools they deserve
• Commitment and history of working with students and families and possesses knowledge and experience working with students and families who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color
• Minimum of two years in a similar role of network-wide instructional leadership
• A minimum of four years of relevant teaching experience with demonstrated student results
• Ability to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference
• Excellent judgment in decision-making
• Proven track record of success managing high-performing senior leaders to achieve ambitious results for students
• Outstanding cultural leadership and people and team management skills, particularly as it relates to leading teams, promoting collaboration, managing conflict, managing a team towards collective goals, and holding team members accountable to growth and results
• Outstanding written, speaking, and organizational skills with experience interacting with a broad range of stakeholders
• An equity mindset and a commitment to disrupting educational inequity
• Strong knowledge and experience with MTSS and it's implementation
• Strong understanding and experience with data driven leadership

Preferred

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