Manager - Optional School & Advanced Academics

Overview

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are

• Courageous Thinkers & Doers Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
• Solutions-Oriented See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
• High-Performing Gamechangers Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.
  
  
  

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Manager of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics (OSAA) works under the leadership of the Director of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics and is responsible for providing districtwide strategic program development, support and evaluation of optional schools to improve high­ quality school options for students. The Manager of OSAA provides content and pedagogical support to school administrative teams, teachers, counselors, and coordinators to maintain the integrity of advanced programs and to facilitate expansion.

• Provides oversight, strategic planning, and leadership responsibility for programmatic and operational integrity of programs in the Division of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics to ensure academic strategies are implemented and goals are
• Collaborates with schools and central office cross-functional teams to plan and facilitate the development of individualized strategic plans for 45 theme based optional schools and the expansion plans for 29 district-managed high schools.
• Provides professional direction in the coordination and alignment of work for schools in the implementation of strategic plans, integrating evaluative findings.
• Manages strategic planning of optional school programs and advanced academics programs to facilitate program expansion and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Implements professional staff development training for school leaders, Optional Coordinators, advanced academics administrators, teachers, and other staff members.
• Designs and oversees the development of self-paced Canvas courses to build the capacity of school- based staff within optional schools or advanced academics programs.
• Provides program support to school-based Optional School administrators and coordinators through coordination, planning, implementation, and marketing of optional programs, aligned to the academic success of students, and the general well-being of the district.
• Develops and implements marketing plans and recruitment strategies for optional schools; collaborates closely with the Communications
• Provides focused financial oversight for the Division of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics; Reviews and approves expenditure and stipend
• Ensures proper financial controls and spend level processes and tools that are put in place and used to manage departmental budgets, vendor and project spend levels.
• Manages direct reports and evaluates performance; coordinates appropriate professional development opportunities for staff; routinely serves as a coach and mentor to build skills and capacity in the organization to lead effectively.
• Supports the overall vision and leadership of the Superintendent, Chief of Academic Operations and School Support, and other district leaders; regularly serves as a though partner to the director of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics.
• Leads and assists in the preparation and maintenance of variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, correspondence, and files related to assigned services, activities and operations for appropriate research and compiles reports as needed.
• Leads budget development for initiatives in the Division of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics.
• Represents the Division of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics at school and community events, both during and after hours; Stands in for the Director of Optional Schools and Advanced Academics at district, school, and parent meetings and/or events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned or directed.
  
  
  

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Education or a related area plus an additional 5 years related experience, or equivalent for a total education/experience of 9 years. Preferred but not required background in Educational Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction Administration, Administration, and Supervision or related field.

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

MSCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MSCS provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.