Managing Director of PreK-12 Academics SY 26-27

Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is seeking a Managing Director of PreK-12 Academics to join our team for the 2026-27 school year.ABOUT GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOLGreat Oaks Legacy Charter School (GOLCS) is a free, open-enrollment public charter school system in Newark, New Jersey, educating students from Pre-K to 12th grade. Our mission is to prepare every student for college success. GOLCS currently educates more than 2,100 students across seven campuses in the greater Newark area.We provide all children with the support they need - inclusive of resources that acknowledge and address systemic inequities - to be empowered to thrive. We bridge the educational opportunity gap by supporting rigorous academics with daily individualized tutoring within a community committed to supporting equity and diversity.These three principles guide our work, every day, in support of our students and mission:Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships;Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support of all students and team members;Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students, in preparation for success in college and beyond.The Managing Director of Academics (MDOA) is positioned on the network academic leadership team and is responsible for setting the strategic direction, quality standards, and overall effectiveness of the academic program at GOLCS for PreK-12. The MDOA oversees curriculum development, instructional quality, faculty performance, and academic outcomes to ensure alignment with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.The Managing Director of Academics works closely with executive leadership to design and implement innovative educational strategies and leads the Network Achievement Directors and the Director of Tutorial to improve student achievement, and maintain academic excellence. The MDOA sets the network-wide instructional vision and academic professional development arc for school leaders and teachers. The MDOA provides guidance and support via a dotted line to academic school leaders, such as School Directors and Assistant School Directors to drive consistency in high academic standards across all PreK-12 with direct coaching and support to the High School academic team.The MDOA leads the analysis of academic data to inform decision-making, leading accreditation and compliance efforts, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The MDOA plays a key role in talent development, mentoring instructional leaders and driving professional development initiatives.The MDOA reports to the Chief Schools Officer and partners with the Managing Director of Schools and the Managing Director of Student Support Services to drive student achievement.Success in this position requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and deep expertise in curriculum design, assessment, and instructional practices, along with the ability to manage complex academic operations at scale.Specifically, the MDOA is responsible for driving academic achievement and growth on:State and standardized tests (NJSLA) by ensuring the school meets or exceeds network and state performance targetsExternal & Internal assessments (i-Ready, end of unit tests, cold read quizzes, cumulative review quizzes, quarterly assessments, midterms, finals), using data to set direction, monitor progress, and adjust school-wide instructional strategyAcademic Vision & Strategy by setting the vision for a short-term and multi year academic strategy and targets that will drive student achievementCurriculum & Instruction by setting the vision for curriculum implementation and academic systems that will drive student achievementInstructional Excellence & Leadership by setting the vision for Tier 1 instruction and ensuring consistent, high-quality implementation across all classroomsSchool & Instructional Leadership Support by conducting weekly walkthroughs, co-observations of classroom instruction and engaging in feedback cycles to drive improvement in teaching and learningData Analysis & by establishing strong network-wide systems to analyze, respond to, and act on student achievement data at every levelTalent Management by coaching the Network Achievement Directors and holding schools accountable a high-performing teaching team that drive student outcomesAssessment & Data-Driven Decision Making by designing and overseeing the implementation of data analysis systems and action plansProfessional Development by designing and ensuring the execution of high-impact learning experiences that translate into improved instructional practiceKey ResponsibilitiesAcademic Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and execute a comprehensive Pre-K through 12th-grade academic strategy for the network that includes a focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment that results in strong academic outcomes for studentsCoach, lead, and develop a team of Network Achievement Directors and Instructional leaders to implement a high-quality curriculum across our schools across grades Pre-K through 12thCollaborate with School Directors to deploy talent and resources (e.g. additional coaching support, model leadership, etc.), based on takeaways from academic progress monitoring.Manage all academics and academic operations matters for the network, including but not limited to: grading policies for each subject, academic snapshots, report card audits and gradebooks, state testing coordination, curriculum purchasing, data and progress monitoring of academics, network-wide academic course correction, scheduling, etc.Lead network-wide processes for driving student outcomes such as blended learning, state testing, academic progress monitoring, test preparation, etc.Develop and/or cultivate subject matter expertise across grades and disciplines Pk-12, in order to inform NJ-specific academic policies and decision-making about programs.Lead the multi-year work and change management to establish the vertical alignment of each discipline across the Pk-12 with the ultimate goal of graduating students being college-ready academically.Manages the Director of Tutorial & Fellowship and sets a vision for the implementation of a high dosage tutoring model.Curriculum & InstructionDesign and implement a strategy for curriculum and assessment adoption and/or modification and improvement, to meet the demands of the range of standardized tests we measure as part of our goals and excellence standards: i-Ready, ANet, NJSLA, SAT, and AP.Develop and oversee systems and protocols for quality control and vetting of curricular materials, assessments, and professional development resources.Develop and oversee systems for data-driven instruction that facilitates the analysis of and response to mastery data and students' GPA.Manage the design and implementation of high-quality curriculum and complex projects across the organization with a clear focus on effective lesson internalization and execution for teachersOversee the design, adoption, and implementation of standards-aligned curricula across all grade levelsEnsure vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum (PreK-12 coherence)Promote research-based instructional practices and culturally responsive teachingEvaluate and refine instructional programs to improve student outcomesSchool & Instructional Leadership SupportWork as a connector between the academic program and school based Leadership teams, by building relationships and investment with all parties and supporting the efficacy of teaching and learning across GOLCSCollaborate with School Directors to deploy talent and resources (e.g. additional coaching support, model leadership, etc.), based on takeaways from academic progress monitoring.Directly support the High School Director and the Assistant School Directors with the design and implementation of the High School academic programing including but not limited to, setting a vision for the HS course catalog, graduation requirements in alignment with the NJ state requirements, AP courses and scheduling.Design the professional development arc for for school leaders and lead ongoing professional development sessionsConduct weekly school visits, classroom observations, and consistent instructional auditsSupport leaders in developing and executing school improvement plansAssessment & Data-Driven Decision MakingOversee assessment systems, including formative, interim, and summative assessmentsAnalyze student performance data to identify trends, gaps, and actively respond to data (achievement, observation, perception, etc.) to engage in year-over-year improvement of program, as well as mid-year course corrections as needed.Establish data-driven practices to inform instruction and interventionsReport academic progress to internal and external stakeholdersCollaborate with the Data Team to develop and monitor outcomes on GOLCS dashboards. Equity & Student AchievementChampion equitable access to high-quality instruction for all student populationsEnsure effective supports for diverse learners, including English language learners and students with disabilitiesDrive initiatives to close achievement gaps and improve outcomes for underserved studentsCompliance & AccountabilityEnsure compliance with state, federal, and local education regulationsLead accreditation processes and prepare for audits and reviewsMaintain high standards for academic integrity and accountabilityTalent Development & ManagementDirectly Supervise and coach the K-8 network achievement directors (2), and the Director of Tutorial (1)Coaches and the develops the network achievement directors through regular 1:1 meetings, data analysis and feedback on their content area, observing and or co-observing professional learning communitiesSupports school leaders with building teacher capacity in analytical thinking and problem-solving instruction through observation and feedback.Support school leaders with Identifying high-leverage action steps grounded in student work and network-wide prioritiesEnsures each direct report has a high quality performance management process including regular observations, assignment of action steps, and thoughtful, written weekly feedback and evaluations. Formally evaluates direct reports at least twice per year).Stakeholder EngagementCollaborate with families, boards, and community partners to support academic successCommunicate academic priorities, progress, and outcomes clearly and effectivelyRepresent the organization in academic and educational forumsQualificationsEducation & ExperienceMaster's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related fieldA state issued license as a teacher, supervisor, or principalMinimum of 8-12 years of experience in K-12 educationAt least 5 years in a senior academic leadership role (e.g., principal, network leader, district administrator)Proven track record of improving student achievement across multiple schools or programsKnowledge & SkillsDeep understanding of K-12 curriculum standards, instructional best practices, and assessment systemsStrong expertise in data analysis and using data to drive instructional improvementExperience with school accountability systems and education policyDemonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in educationExcellent leadership, coaching, and team development skillsStrong communication and stakeholder management abilitiesCore CompetenciesStrategic thinking and vision-settingInstructional leadership and coachingResults orientation and accountabilityChange management and continuous improvementCollaboration and relationship-buildingWork Environment & ExpectationsFrequent travel to schools for observation and supportAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentOccasional evening or weekend commitments for events and meetingsCOMPENSATION & BENEFITSGreat Oaks Legacy Charter School offers a competitive and equitable compensation package aligned to years of relevant experience. The minimum base salary for this role is $135,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes:Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.Tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement per year.*Reimbursement for external professional development aligned to your role.Wellness reimbursement benefits including gym memberships, spa services, and more.*Online counseling services - for staff and their dependents - via top-rated therapy app.*Pre-tax state pension plan benefit with additional options available via voluntary retirement plans.Pre-tax dependent care, health, and transit flexible spending plans available.Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITYGOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore, we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT