Chief Academic Officer

DutiesReports To: Superintendent of SchoolsDirectly Supervises:Teaching & LearningData & AccountabilityCurriculum & AssessmentCollege & Career ReadinessCTE & PathwaysInformation TechnologyAssessment and F&S compliancePOSITION SUMMARYThe Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the district's senior executive leaderresponsible for:Student outcomes and measurable growthLiteracy and math acceleration (PreK-12)Graduation requirements and pathway alignmentCollege and career readiness expansionCurriculum and assessment coherenceDistrict data systems and academic accountabilityInstructional technology and IT systems alignmentThe CAO ensures that instructional systems, accountability measures, and technologyinfrastructure operate as one coherent ecosystem focused on improving studentachievement.This position integrates:Academic leadership and school improvementData systems and accountability oversight? Curriculum and instructional systems leadershipIT governance and system integrationThe CAO serves as the Superintendent's principal advisor on academic performance and academic technology systems.CORE RESPONSIBILITIES1. Student Achievement & Measurable GrowthThe CAO is directly accountable for:Literacy acceleration (PreK-12)Math acceleration and growth metricsClosing achievement gapsGraduation rate improvementPostsecondary readiness indicatorsDevelops measurable annual and multi-year targets and monitors progress through real-time dashboards2. Curriculum, Instruction & AssessmentLeads development of a vertically aligned PreK-12 curriculum system.Ensures alignment of instructional materials, assessments, and professional learning.Oversees district assessment strategy and standardized testing.Ensures academic rigor and culturally responsive instructional practices.Monitors fidelity of implementation across schools.3. College, Career & Graduation PathwaysOversees graduation requirements and pathway alignment.Expands AP, Dual Credit, Early College opportunities.Expands and modernizes CTE pathways aligned to workforce demand.Develops partnerships with higher education and industry.Aligns secondary programming to postsecondary success.4. Data Systems, Accountability & ReportingOversees district student information systems and academic data platforms.Leads Illinois State Report Card reporting and compliance.Develops executive dashboards for Superintendent and Board.Ensures rapid turnaround of actionable school-level data.Implements districtwide data-to-action protocols.5. Information Technology & Instructional SystemsThe CAO provides executive oversight of the District's IT department to ensure technology directly supports learning and accountability.Responsibilities include:Oversight of all instructional technology systemsGovernance of the Student Information System (SIS)Cybersecurity and data protectionLearning management systems and digital platformsTechnology integration strategy aligned to academic goalsIT capital planning aligned to instructional prioritiesDisaster recovery and data continuity planningThe CAO ensures IT decisions are driven by instructional priorities rather than isolated technical considerations.6. School Improvement StrategyDevelops tiered academic support frameworks.Aligns coaching and instructional support to measurable growth targets.Monitors subgroup performance trends.Deploys differentiated academic interventions.7. Professional Learning & Instructional CapacityOversees systemic professional learning aligned to literacy and math acceleration.Builds principal capacity in instructional leadership.Ensures adult learning translates into measurable student growth.Aligns professional development systems to district data.PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONSIncrease districtwide literacy proficiency ratesImprove math growth metricsIncrease graduation ratesExpand AP/Dual Credit participation and successExpand CTE credential attainmentImplement unified academic dashboardsModernize academic data systemsAlign IT governance to instructional outcomesQualificationsEducationMaster's degree requiredDoctoral degree preferredIllinois Professional Educator License with General Administrative EndorsementExperienceMinimum five (5) years of senior leadership experience in educationExperience as a principal or district academic leader preferredDemonstrated success improving measurable student outcomesExperience overseeing accountability systems and IT integration preferredLEADERSHIP PROFILEOutcome-driven and data fluentSystems-orientedInstructionally groundedTechnologically strategicAccountable and transparentFocused relentlessly on student growthGOVERNANCE & REPORTINGReports directly to the SuperintendentServes as a member of the Superintendent's CabinetProvides regular student support and compliance reports to the BoardEvaluated annually based on student outcome metrics and complianceperformanceSalary/BenefitsExpected salary range from $195,000 to $230,000, fringe benefits, and work year as established by the Board of Education.Evaluation: Performance evaluated annually by the Superintendent.FLSA Status: ExemptStatus: Revised February 2026Additional NotesJG Consulting has partnered with Champaign Unit 4 School District to facilitate the search for this role.:PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION:Champaign Unit 4 School District is a large unit school district serving more than 10,000 students in grades pre-K through 12 in Champaign, Savoy, and Bondville, Illinois. Our 19 campuses employ more than 2,000 teachers, administrators, and support personnel, including some of the brightest educators in the region. Our District represents the diversity of our world, fosters positive learning environments to prepare students for college and careers, and our schools empower students to succeed on any path they choose.Download Job Description: Click hereHow to ApplyPlease submit your resume through the application on our website.Link to District/Third Party Online Application Web Pagehttps://jobs.jgconsulting.us/jobdetail/ZR_91_JOBEmail Addressjacob@jgconsulting.usSchool Districthttps://www.champaignschools.orgPosition Websitehttps://jobs.jgconsulting.us/jobdetail/ZR_91_JOBILearn LinkILearnReport Card LinkDistrict Report CardJob Posting Date4/2/2026Application Deadline5/15/2026Start Date7/1/2026