Executive Director - American Montessori Society Inc

To apply please use the following link:https://breakthroughmontessori.bamboohr.com/careers/60?source=aWQ9MTA%3D

Job Opportunity: Executive Director

Location: Washington, DC

Department: School Leadership

Application Deadline: Until filled

Employment Type: Full-time

Expected Start Date of Position: May 2025

Reports to: Board Members

Compensation: Salary range $130,000-180,000 and will be commensurate with degree and years of experience

FLSA Status: Exempt

About Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School

Breakthrough Montessori Public Charter School's mission is to provide diverse families in Washington, DC a public Montessori education that enables within them the power to shape their lives and the world around them.

Founded in 2016, Breakthrough Montessori is a public charter school in Washington, DC. In the 2025-26 school year, we will serve 388 students in PK3 through grade 6. Our school is grounded in an institutional commitment to development, prevention, and community. We support human development through an uncompromising application of the time-tested Montessori instructional model. We support prevention through early learning, support and intervention, enabling us to quickly and effectively address learning challenges. Finally, we support the community through an intensive approach to family engagement. Breakthrough Montessori PCS is a coaching school; all team members receive and give coaching to support professional growth.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is committed to equity in all areas of our school’s work. We believe in the unbounded potential of all children. We are a supportive environment that seeks to recruit and serve a diverse group of children, caregivers, and staff reflective of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.

Position Summary:

The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring that Breakthrough Montessori’s mission is fully supported and achieved as laid out in the school’s charter. Through strategic planning, oversight of school operations, and clear communication with all stakeholders, the Executive Director ensures that the school and staff have the financial, political, and human resources needed to fulfill their roles in the school’s mission. A key prerequisite for this role is an understanding of and passion for the Montessori approach.

The Executive Director is a 12-month position. Responsibilities include the following:

Leadership and Strategic Direction:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the organization in alignment with its mission.
• Set strong organizational goals and metrics aligned with the school’s mission and vision to guide decision-making and accountability.
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term plans to meet the organization's goals and objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Lead school team in the collection, reporting and analysis of data to make strategic decisions.

Operations and Programmatic Oversight:

• Work with the Principal and the Director of Operations to ensure ongoing programmatic excellence consistent with fiduciary and regulatory obligations, including but not limited to fiscal/budgetary/accounting; reporting, compliance, and accountability; facility and safety management; human resources; the development of additional systems as needed.
• Ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet the needs of the community and the organization’s mission.
• Oversee compliance with all regulatory, legal, and accreditation standards related to programs and services.
• Monitor program outcomes and ensure continuous improvement based on data and stakeholder feedback.

Inclusive School Culture:

• Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by respecting, affirming, and protecting the dignity and worth of each member of the Breakthrough community.
• Collaborates with the leadership team to periodically monitor and assess school culture and ongoing family outreach and involvement, recruitment, and retention efforts.
• Articulates Breakthrough’s Statement of Values to all constituencies--students, faculty, staff, parents, and community; and uses it as the floor for establishing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment that supports all children, supports all families, strives for equity, and educates for peace.
• Through impeccable integrity, openness, and humility, foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and accountability amongst families, children, staff, and Board.

Communication and Public Presence:

• Actively engage a diverse constituency (faculty and staff, students and family, volunteers, board members, partnering organizations, and financial supporters) within and outside of the School community to fulfill Breakthrough’s mission.
• Serve as the organization’s lead spokesperson; articulate and advocate the school’s mission and goals to the family community as well as to donors, partners, and other resources, including prospective volunteers and funders; respond to requests for speaking engagements, including testimony at legislative or authorizing hearings.
• Represent Breakthrough at OSSE, DCPCSB, and other meetings.
• Support the Director of Equity and Engagement in outreach, enrollment, and family engagement.

Grant Management and Fund Development:

• Identify, pursue, and secure grant opportunities from government agencies, private foundations, and other funding sources.
• Oversee the preparation, submission, and management of grant proposals, ensuring timely reporting and compliance with grant requirements.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and events.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, donors, and community partners.

Board Governance and Support:

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to develop policies, set strategic goals, create financial and programmatic sustainability, ensure charter renewal, and provide updates on organizational performance.
• Act as a primary liaison between the Board of Directors and staff, ensuring clear communication and execution of board directives, as well as strong collaboration between the Board of Trustees and the staff.
• Prepare and present reports, including financial updates, program outcomes, and organizational challenges, to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications and Competencies

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit management or a related sector, with proven experience in budgeting, grant management, and fundraising.
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience with Montessori education.
• Evidence of leadership and participation in anti-bias, anti-racist initiatives.
• Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Experience with state licensing and accreditation requirements.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial reporting, and cash flow management.
• Proven ability to write, secure, and manage grants and fundraising campaigns.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams and driving organizational growth.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking.
• Proven ability to organize and analyze data and combine pieces of information to form conclusions and make informed decisions.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable goals.
• Strong problem-solving and the ability to adapt to changing conditions.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Ability to foster relationships and work as a team with diverse stakeholders, including staff, community members, funders, and regulatory bodies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or above in Education, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Montessori credential or prior Montessori leadership experience.
• Experience working with the DC Public Charter School Board and OSSE.
• Strong networks within the DC metro area.

Skills and Competencies:

• Spanish-English or Amharic-English bilingual.
• Proficiency in financial management software, CRM systems, and grant management tools.

Benefits:

We provide employees with a robust leave policy that includes:

• Paid personal time off
• Paid COVID sick leave
• Paid family leave (in addition to DC paid family leave)
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid leave for the observation of a religious holiday

Breakthrough invests heavily in the professional development (PD) of our faculty through:

• A weekly early release schedule with professional development and collaborative planning time from 1:30-4:30 pm every Monday;
• An individual professional development budget of $250/year to pursue additional PD opportunities;
• Conference participation and
• A Continuing Education grant program that provides grantees up to $20,000 to complete Montessori teacher training, an advanced degree or other license.

Other benefits include:

• Health, dental, vision
• Retirement (Vanguard Retirement)
• AFLAC

For information on Breakthrough Montessori PCS, including more information on employee benefits and our company culture, visit our website at www.breakthroughmontessori.org.

Breakthrough Montessori PCS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.