About Breakthrough Public Schools

is a nationally recognized network that was rated best CMO network in Ohio by the 2017 CREDO study at Stanford University. Breakthrough Public Schools originated as a commitment to increase educational options for Cleveland families. In 2009, three of Cleveland’s top stand-alone public charter schools discovered the challenges of operating individually and decided that sharing administrative functions would help them operate more efficiently and serve more students. As a result, they formed Breakthrough Public Schools, a charter management organization, in 2010 with the mission to develop a growing network of distinctive school options that prepare Cleveland area students for success in life. Breakthrough manages core administrative responsibilities including human resources, finance, information technology, facilities, student recruitment, and marketing for 10 schools within the network. Breakthrough Schools serve more than 3,200 students in grades K-8 and is committed to setting them on an early pathway to lifelong success in school, college, and career. For more information, visit .

Position Summary

The Managing Director of Student Services ensures Breakthrough is having the most significant impact on scholars and families with the greatest need. The Managing Director of Student Services does this by overseeing a myriad of areas directly related to exceptional scholar success and achievement. The Managing Director of Student Services is an entrepreneurial individual who deeply understands working and supporting exceptional learners, including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted. This role, though Network-based, interfaces significantly with campus-based staff as they orchestrate critical functional areas for the organization. The Managing Director of Student Services reports to the Chief Academic Officer and manages a diverse cross-functional team of specialists, including Special Education, Related Services, English as a New Language (ENL), and Wrap Around Services.

Primary Responsibilities

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Leadership

Define, continuously improve, and communicate an accessible Exceptional Student Education (ESE) vision, strategy, and priorities across the network to advance equitable outcomes and results for exceptional learners, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted and/or have other diverse learning needs

Enhance short- and long-term strategies, policies, protocols, systems, and structures for ESE and school-based teams and work cross-functionally with leaders (network- and school-based) to foster a strong and inclusive culture of equitable teaching and learning

Lead strategic efforts and partner with the network’s academic team and other network leaders to develop, select, ensure alignment and effectively implement research-based practices, accommodations, modifications, learning platforms, and other student supports/services across grades and subjects to ensure all students have access to high-quality and grade-level materials, instruction, and interventions

Ensure alignment of all intervention tools used across the network (i.e. online tools, teacher-created tools, and results); analyze potential and existing intervention programs to ensure effectiveness

Develop an ESE Progress Monitoring system (including data collection, analysis, and reporting) to allow for timely identification of teacher and student progress, impact, and needs, quality of interventions and services, and the overall network-wide ESE program health; Use data from ESE Progress Monitoring to drive proactive and rapid response to student, teacher, school, and networks needs and continuous improvement

Enhance systems and supports to ensure effective network and school-based implementation and compliance with all federal, state, local, and network laws and policies as it relates to exceptional student education (e.g., SPED, 504, etc.)

Develop, implement, and continuously improve professional development, monitoring, and support programs to ensure all stakeholders (e.g., network-/school-based staff, students, families, service providers, etc.) are trained to implement ESE policies and protocols with fidelity over time

Coach, develop, and support a team of ESE Specialists (network) and Student Support Teams/SST (school-based) members in their development, growth, and ability to effectively champion, advocate, implement and scale the impact of the ESE program

Develop and manage strategic partnerships with education support organizations, community agencies, and/or other services providers to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality services and support for students (e.g., occupational therapy)

Ensure timely and accurate data analysis and reporting internally and externally

Develop, manage, monitor, and report on the usage of the ESE budget including Medicaid reimbursement

Research, pilot, and leverage existing and new knowledge and expertise to identify best practices and continuously improve ESE practices, policies, structures, and programs to ensure all students have access to an exemplary education and can achieve at the highest levels

Other duties as needed to implement a best-in-class ESE program

Exceptional Student Education (ESE): School-Based Implementation - Oversee and support ESE Specialists, School Leadership, and Network Academic Team implementation of ESE programs, policies, structures and supports in schools and classrooms to foster a strong and inclusive culture of equitable teaching and learning.

Data-Driven Instruction & Intervention

Champion a culture amongst instructional staff and leadership of exemplary education for all

Oversee and support implementation of the network-wide approach to whole group, individualized, and small group (e.g., remediation, acceleration) instruction and data-driven re-teaching of content to ensure all scholars master the standard

Utilize data collected through a myriad of sources (formal and informal assessments) to help instructional leaders and staff identify, plan for, and support scholars in need of additional support

In partnership with the network’s academic and school leadership teams, ensure school leaders and instructional staff develop the necessary expertise in core curricula to achieve excellent results for students

Works in partnership with the Head of Schools and Chief Academic Officer to monitor and modify intervention programming

Inclusive, Equitable, & Quality Student Services & Support

Leverage the ESE Progress Monitoring tool to monitor and support the Student Services Team (SST) processes to ensure fidelity of implementation and effectiveness

Support SST in their review and analysis of relevant dashboard data to ensure the timely identification of appropriate scholars for the SST process

Works with the SST and school-based leadership to appropriately and effectively facilitate the eligibility of scholars for special education services

Provides network oversight and support to campuses to ensure that all interventions (e.g., academic and behavioral) and related services are being implemented with fidelity, monitored, continuously improved, and having a positive impact on student achievement across the network

High-Quality & Differentiated Training, Development, Coaching & Support

Train and support school leadership teams on the ESE and SST processes and expectations for execution at the campus level

Support instructional staff in the implementation of interventions via model lessons, observations and feedback, lesson plan feedback, and regular coaching sessions

Provide training for staff on implementing developmentally appropriate interventions for individuals and groups of scholars

Requirements

Desired Education, Experience, & Competencies

Bachelor’s Degree (Required)

Special Education Licensure - credentials can be issued by another state (Nice to have)

A minimum of 10 years of experience working with students in an educational setting

An experienced leader in education operations and management, ideally in public K-12 and/or CMO environment

School leadership and/or significant instructional coaching, and team leadership experience with proven results serving diverse learners

Instructional expertise and experience improving outcomes of exceptional learners, especially students with IEPs, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted; has successfully led the development and direction setting of an exceptional student education program for teachers and staff

Instructional expertise, knowledge, and experience implementing language acquisition programs and support for multilingual learners (Nice to have)

Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), research, database management, online learning platforms, and other necessary tools

Satisfactory completion of local, state, and federal criminal history checks and TB test

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Anti-Racism

A deep and unwavering conviction that all students can achieve at high levels and a commitment to do whatever it takes to prepare all students for college success

Deep commitment and practice as an anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive leader with an ability to operate through a strong DEI and social justice lens

Possesses strong student, family, and community orientation; approaches the work from the perspective of the students, families, and community serves and is skilled at listening and centering their voices and needs in academic decision making

Demonstrates strong alignment and commitment to Breakthrough Schools’ long-term vision to further Greater Cleveland’s transformation by providing distinctive school options and high-quality education for all, especially our most vulnerable and historically-marginalized students

Additional Skills & Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Leadership: Establishes and maintains inspiring and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders/colleagues/team

A relational leader who leads with a people-first orientation

A passion for leader, teacher, staff, and organizational development and belief in the potential of all to grow

Effective Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (e.g., listening, verbal, and written)

Integrity & Ethics: Maintains a high level of confidentiality as it relates to exceptional student services and programs

Productively engages in difficult conversations honestly, transparently, and with integrity

Works across lines of difference to advance educational equity and Breakthrough Schools’ shared goals

Data Driven: Experience working with large sets of data, including data analysis, error detection, and data synthesis/reporting.

Benefits

Location

This is a site-based role based in Cleveland, OH, and requires this leader to be in-person to execute the core responsibilities of the job. There are opportunities for some remote work days. Ideal candidates live in the local community. Relocation assistance is available.

Start Date: This role is available for immediate start.

Salary and Benefits

Breakthrough Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $(phone number removed). Breakthrough Public Schools also offers comprehensive benefits including paid time off, retirement, leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, and more.

Commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunity Employment Policy

Breakthrough Public Schools is committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and encourages individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position.

Breakthrough Public Schools is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.