• Job Description

  Req#: 102942

  Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.

  Job Title: Director, Academic Programs - (2025-2026) - Academic Program and Requisition ID number: 102942

  Close Date: 11:59 PM on 04/28/2025

  Organizational Unit: Academic Programming (10001300)

  Site: Davis Center (0001)

  FTE: 1.0 FTE, @ 40 Hrs/WK, 52 Weeks; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

  Union: MAAS(43)

  Functional Area: Administrative

  Salary Range: $$112,016/ Year - $139,892/Year

  Benefits: Dental insurance | Health insurance | Vision insurance | Paid time off | HSA & FSA | Retirement plan

  
  Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.
  
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  Director, Academic Programs

  SUMMARY

  Under limited supervision, this position will oversee key initiatives, including Advanced Placement (AP), the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID), Concurrent Enrollment, Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), college and career readiness programs, and the District’s Title (ESSA) program. The director will be responsible for managing budgets, coordinating professional development, overseeing multiple projects, and ensuring all initiatives align with the District’s Vision and Mission. The primary goal is to ensure that all students, particularly at the secondary level, are well-prepared for success in both post-secondary education and careers.
  

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Provides educational and administrative leadership that builds and supports education team by inspiring, integrating, and aligning the academic programming work of the District, including College and Career Readiness, Career and Technical Education (CTE) and its Pathways, Title Programs, and the Office of Black Student Achievement. Develops and maintains clear and inclusive decision-making processes to ensure integration of academic supports and services.

  • Develops and implements an academic service delivery model of the above programs for schools in partnership with the Associate Superintendents.

  • In partnership with the Departments of Core Academics and Equity and School Climate, ensures that the district has a culturally responsive curriculum framework across content that is aligned to local, state, and national standards; ensures that curriculum is aligned to this framework; monitors coherence in student learning through continuous alignment of standards, assessment, and accountability.

  • Oversees all pertinent academic professional development for teachers and principals aligned to the programs in the department; provides support and development opportunities to foster a culture that motivates teachers and principals to perform at the level of excellence necessary to ensure exemplary student achievement and narrow the achievement gap between racial, ethnic, and economic groups by working with all of MPS’ diverse communities.

  • Enhances and promotes the social emotional environment in schools.

  • Oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of Title Programs to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance to all state and federal regulations.

  • Develops and oversees college and career readiness plans, programs, and practices to grow the graduation rate, create pathways that lead to certification, and improve college acceptance and persistence rates.

  • Serves as a team member of the Academic Leadership Team under the Senior Academic Officer; participates in Districtwide planning, development, and evaluation.

  • Promotes articulation of programs and services among elementary, middle, high school, and with institutions of higher education.

  • Oversees the development of partnerships with leading educational and community organizations, both locally and nationally, to support, complement, and enhance District programs; collaborates and fosters relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

  • Works in partnership with the departments within Academics, Communications, and the Office of the Deputy Superintendent to ensure that central office programs/departments are coordinating efforts to provide efficient and effective delivery of variety educational services/programs.

  • Interfaces with governmental agencies, business and civic organizations, and the community to provide needed information and promote the District’s educational initiatives.

  • Coordinates with the Department of Strategic Initiatives to research most current and effective assessment tools to evaluate progress on district priorities and ensures that effective programs and best practices are utilized in all programs.

  • Directs the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, correspondence, and files related to assigned services, activities, and operations; oversees the preparation and submission of all applications, contracts, and reports to funding agencies; operates a computer to input data and generate reports.

  • Approves department budgets, and determines allocations for staff, supplies, and equipment; provides direction for the monitoring of all general and categorically funded programs to assure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

  • Leads the Academic Programs team using an asset-based model and develops staff members within the division.

  • Supervises, evaluates, and holds accountable the performance and professionalism of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees, and recommends transfers, reassignments, terminations, and disciplinary actions; plans, coordinates, and arranges for appropriate training of assigned staff.

  • Creates and fosters an environment committed to excellence and equity while leading through the district’s equity framework.

  • Communicates and collaborates with other administrators, personnel, and outside organizations to develop, implement, and coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information; develops policies and procedures to encourage effective and efficient management controls; models District standards of ethics and professionalism.

  • Provides technical expertise, information, and assistance to assigned supervisor regarding assigned functions, unusual trends, or problems, and recommend appropriate corrective action.

  • Maintains current knowledge of state/federal legislation regulations, requirements, and guidelines related to assigned duties; attends conferences, reads journals/papers, takes courses, and attends workshops to remain current concerning trends in the education field.

  • Interprets Board policies, communicates guidelines inherent in those policies, and oversees the implementation of the policies.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  To successfully perform job, incumbent must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Requirements listed are representative of the knowledge and skills.

  Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

  • Master’s degree in education, AND

  • A minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience, AND

  • Experience leading school improvement efforts in a K-12 educational setting and/or instructional coaching; OR

  • An equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

  Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of assessment, curriculum, instruction, educational leadership.

  • Principles and practices of culturally responsive pedagogy and curriculum, as well as racial equity in an academic setting.

  • Principles and practices of educational reform models and best practices.

  • Principles of college and career readiness, monitoring and compliance of Title Programs, and CTE Programs and Pathways.

  • Principles, requirements, and programs of post-secondary and concurrent enrollment in high school, including but not limited to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College in the Schools (CIS), Post-Secondary Enrollment Opportunities (PSEO) and Concurrent Enrollment.

  • Use of technology for instructional purposes.

  • Classroom policies, procedures and processes.

  • Principles, practices and procedures of public administration in an educational setting.

  • Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, and the management of employees through multiple levels of management.

  • Functions, authority, responsibilities and limitations of an elected Board.

  • Principles and practices of developing teams, motivating employees and managing in a team environment.

  • Principles and practices of budget development and administration.

  • Applicable legal guidelines and standards effecting District.

  • Social, political, economic, environmental and related issues influencing District functions and activities.

  • Techniques for collaborating with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, occasionally when relations may be confrontational or strained.

  Skill in:

  • Designing, organizing and leading systematic change processes in a large, complex and diverse environment.

  • Effectively utilizing and managing limited resources to support strategic organizational goal attainment.

  • Planning, organizing, administering, coordinating, reviewing and evaluating a wide variety of District programs and services.

  • Building strong collaboration within and among departments.

  • Developing effective work teams and motivating individuals to meet goals and objectives and provide customer services in the most cost effective and efficient manner.

  • Developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and internal controls.

  • Interpreting, applying and explaining complex laws, codes and regulations.

  • Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.

  • Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines.

  • Maintaining composure and working effectively under stressful conditions.

  • Using tact, discretion and prudence in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work.

  • Operating a personal computer using standard and specialized software.

  • Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

  LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

  Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

  • Current Minnesota Teaching License

  • A valid Minnesota State Driver’s License

  • A valid District Administrator license

  LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION PREFERENCES

  • Secondary teaching License (5-12); or

  • K-12 Counseling License

  PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

  The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  Mobility to work in an office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to walk, stand and sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; vision to read printed materials and computer screens; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

  WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

  Work is performed in an office field setting. Subject to occasional travel to a variety of locations.

  ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

  • Bargaining Unit: MAAS

  • Grade: 76

  • FLSA Status: Exempt

  • Job Group: Academics

  • New: April 15, 2025

  
  

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  Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee. Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
  
  COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
  Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready. Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

  Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

  Posting Notes: | 12:01 AM On 04/28/2025 | Academic Programming (10001300) | Davis Center (0001) | Administrative
  

• About the company

  Minneapolis Public Schools or Special School District Number 1 is a public school district serving students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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