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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 40,000 people, most of them teachers.  CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The mission of the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS) is to promote social and economic mobility among CPS students by building systems and providing support to increase the number of CPS graduates who earn postsecondary credentials and enter into fulfilling family-sustaining careers. OCCS works to ensure that all students achieve postsecondary success by creating systems to increase access to opportunities and support to ensure all students are connected and well. The Department of Sustainable Community Schools promotes student connectedness and well-being, engagement in school, access, and participation in extracurricular activities geared toward providing students with experiences/resources before and after school hours. This unit will support schools by providing funding and resources to offer students experiences, activities, and academic/social-emotional support that promotes connectedness and improves student outcomes. 

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of College and Career Success (Readiness), the Executive Director of Sustainable Community Schools will serve as a visionary and strategic leader within the school district, overseeing multiple teams to co-create and implement a districtwide strategy that fosters equitable and targeted approaches while centering cultural responsiveness. This role is instrumental in promoting collaboration between the district, partners, City of Chicago, families, and the broader community, with the ultimate goal of empowering students to achieve academic success through holistic support systems. The Executive Director will directly oversee and support multiple teams, including but not limited to Sustainable Community Schools and 21st Century Community Schools.  

The Executive Director of Sustainable Community Schools will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Lead the co-creation and implementation of a district-wide strategy that promotes community schools and empowerment, focusing on equity and cultural responsiveness.
• Lead, manage, and develop a large, strategic multi-team department, including directors, with a multi-million dollar budget.
• Develop, expand, and nurture partnerships with government, community partners, philanthropic, and partners to ensure expansion of programs.
• Work collaboratively with district administrators, school principals, and community stakeholders to ensure alignment with overall district goals and priorities.
• Oversee the Department of Sustainable Community Schools’ continuous improvement processes and initiatives.
• Set clear performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and support the professional development of directors and team members.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with community organizations, local agencies, and other stakeholders to expand the impact of family and community engagement initiatives.
• Other duties and work streams as assigned.

To be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Executive Director of Sustainable Community Schools must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university required.  Focus in education, educational administration, or a related field preferred 

• Doctorate preferred 

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant professional experience, including the following, is required:
• • Minimum of four (4) years of experience developing and managing large-scale educational improvement projects/programs impacting multiple levels of stakeholders, and/or multiple school communities
  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a management position responsible for leading and developing a team of direct reports, providing professional coaching, and managing individuals in developing and achieving a strategic plan
• School administrator experience is strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide teams
• Commitment to the CPS Mission, Strategic Plan, and Instructional Core Vision
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, such as external or internal partners at all levels of the organization
• Ability to define and solve problems, analyze large, complex datasets, and outline valid conclusions/action steps necessary to reconcile complex issues.
• Strong understanding of the complexity and variety of challenges facing urban students; capable of effectively coordinating resources to address those challenges
• Knowledge of operations, budget/finance, management, and organizational development 
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including listening, speaking, and leading/facilitating presentations
• Ability to coach directors and managers toward excellence, build capacity of content area teams
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Demonstrate high levels of leadership expertise, integrity, honesty, credibility, and the courage to make difficult yet necessary decisions
• Knowledge of district policies and procedures

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 -Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.