Senior Director of K-12 Science

About AscendAscend is Brooklyn's premier K-12 public charter network, committed to graduating high-achieving students who have access to boundless choice in their futures-not only through college acceptance, but through meaningful preparation for career readiness and thriving adult lives.Across our schools, we pair rigorous academics with strong systems, supportive adult culture, and a deep belief in students' brilliance and potential. Our work is grounded in the understanding that preparing students for long-term success requires excellence in instruction, intentional culture-building, and disciplined execution at every level of the organization.At Ascend, adults are held to high standards because our students deserve nothing less. How we teach, lead, collaborate, and make decisions every day directly shapes the opportunities our students will have tomorrow.Join us in shaping learning environments where curiosity is nurtured, excellence is the norm, and every student is prepared for a lifetime of boundless choice.About the RoleAscend seeks a Senior Director of K-12 Science who will work closely with our Senior Managing Director of Schools and the Managing Director of Teaching and Learning to establish a strong vision and set of outcomes in our Science program. This role sits on our Teaching and Learning Team, which ensures that we provide students with a high-quality education that unlocks a life of boundless choice. We do this by creating the conditions for excellence across our schools. As the leader of our Science program, the Senior Director of K-12 Science will own our vision for Science instruction in K-12, manage the implementation of that vision, and ensure our leaders are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve that vision.Key ResponsibilitiesProgram VisionCreate, refine, and plan a pathway to achieve our vision for Science instruction in grades K-12.Invest in our broader community's shared approach to science instruction, including our curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and data analysis and response.Content expert with demonstrated excellence in Science instruction across multiple academic levels, using established pedagogical frameworks.Proven track record of moving students from all performance bands to mastery within Science classrooms.Skilled at creating and sustaining academically rigorous and joyful classroom environments that accelerate student growth, while effectively accommodating diverse learning needs.Implementation ManagementResearch, select, pilot, and implement our best-in-class Science curriculum that aligns with our vision for STEM instruction and our organization's values.Create, refine, and implement our network-wide strategy to ensure our science program aligns with our vision and beliefs.Develop, implement, and refine our professional development for both leaders and teachers aligned to our vision for science and curriculum implementation.Continuously provide feedback to our schools and network on the quality and implementation of science at our campuses, and ensure an urgency in moving towards our vision.Data Driven LeadershipProficiency in utilizing questions, question taxonomy, and objective-aligned data to identify areas of strength and opportunity across student, classroom, grade, and school-wide contexts.Mastery of the design of data response plans to close academic gaps in the Science.Ability to use data to inform and invest leaders and teachers in specific decision-making and response plans.Team ManagementRecruit, manage, and develop Directors of Science for any academic level not managed directly by the Senior Director of K-12 Science.In partnership with the Managing Director of Teaching and Learning and other Senior Directors, build and implement our strategy for managing and developing the teaching and learning team.Ensure that all Directors and Associate Directors of Science achieve their KPIs and OKRs aligned with our goals for school success.Academy OwnershipIn addition to the responsibilities of managing the Science program, the Senior Director of K-12 Science will hold the responsibilities of a Director of Science for one of our three academy models: Lower School, Middle School, or High School.Staff and Reporting RelationshipsThe Senior Director of K-12 Science reports to the Managing Director of Teaching and LearningQualificationsBachelor's degree required; Master's or advanced degree in a related field strongly preferredFour or more years of teaching experience with exceptional results in Science instructionTwo or more years of experience developing teachers and delivering outstanding professional development, with experience developing leaders strongly preferred4+ years of experience as a Science teacher with demonstrated results of moving students to strong academic outcomes.2+ years of experience coaching Science teachers to drive strong academic outcomes preferred, but not requiredDemonstrated experience managing curriculum.Experience working with online assessment and LMS, such as Illuminate and Pear, preferred.Skills and TraitsDeep understanding of the P-12 Learning Standards and New York's P-12 Learning Standards-aligned state assessments, data-driven instruction (DDI), and the ability to execute DDI at scaleExtensive knowledge of science pedagogies and programs, and effective practices for science instruction.Superb organizational, project management, self-management skills, and problem-solving skillsDemonstrated ability to support, train, and coach science educators;Passion and commitment to education and our ultimate goal of closing the opportunity gapDemonstrated ability to develop leaders to achieve outstanding resultsInsistence on academic excellence and rigorExcellent communication skills (written and oral)A strong desire for continuous learning and improvement in one's own practiceAlignment with the educational philosophy and core beliefs of Ascend LearningCompensationThe salary for this position begins at $115,000. Several factors, such as work experience, education/training, job-related skills, internal peer equity, and market and business considerations, may influence the base pay offered. This salary reflects a position based in New York City.Location & Work ArrangementBased in our Brooklyn, NY officeHybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per weekOccasional professional conference travel