Interim Executive Director

Job Description Position Title: Interim Executive Director (2026‑2027) Reports To: Board of Trustees (Board’s sole employee) FLSA Status: Exempt Starting Date: Immediately Position Purpose: River Valley Charter School seeks an Interim Executive Director for the 2026‑27 school year. The role provides stability, strengthens systems, builds trust, and positions the school for long‑term success during a transition period. Future leadership decisions will be based on the school’s needs and the outcome of this transition year. Core Responsibilities Vision, Strategy, and Organizational Leadership Assess organizational strengths, risks, and opportunities Provide recommendations to the Board regarding long‑term strategic priorities Establish clear organizational priorities for the transition year Support the Board in preparing for a future permanent leadership transition Ensure alignment between vision, resources, and execution across the organization Transition Leadership and Organizational Stabilization Provide stable leadership during a period of organizational transition Assess organizational systems, structures, and leadership capacity Identify and address urgent operational, financial, academic, and governance risks Build trust among staff, families, and stakeholders Document key systems, priorities, and recommendations for future leadership Partner with the Board to support a successful transition to permanent leadership Maintain organizational focus and avoid unnecessary disruption during the transition period Instructional Vision and Academic Outcomes Ensure the school maintains a strong and coherent vision of excellent instruction, aligned to Montessori principles and academic standards Supervise and coach the Director of Instruction to ensure high‑quality teaching and learning, consistent implementation across classrooms, and measurable student progress Monitor academic performance and ensure accountability for student outcomes Student Experience, Family, and Community Leadership Champion a positive, consistent student experience and school culture Build strong, trust‑based relationships with families and the broader community Serve as the primary external leader and spokesperson for the school Ensure proactive, transparent communication with families and stakeholders Strengthen partnerships with community organizations, municipalities, and educational partners Financial Sustainability and Resource Stewardship Ensure financial stability and responsible stewardship of public funds Partner with the Director of Operations on budget development and monitoring, financial forecasting, and audits and compliance Align financial decisions to strategic priorities Charter Accountability and Compliance Oversight Ensure compliance with all charter, DESE, and regulatory requirements Oversee Annual Report and Accountability Plan preparation and submission Monitor organizational performance against accountability metrics Ensure systems are in place to meet all compliance obligations Leadership Development and Team Management Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate the senior leadership team Provide ongoing coaching and development to Directors Build leadership capacity and strengthen the effectiveness of the leadership team Establish clear expectations, accountability, and alignment across leadership roles Governance and Risk Management Maintain clear boundaries between governance and management Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Trustees Ensure timely escalation of risks and challenges Lead enterprise risk management and continuity planning Board and Committee Interface Responsibilities Serve as the primary liaison to the Board Chair and Executive Committee Co‑develop Board meeting agendas focused on governance‑level priorities Prepare and present materials, including dashboards, strategic updates, and recommendations Ensure accurate, timely communication of progress, risks, and organizational needs Maintain clear documentation and follow‑through on Board decisions Essential Functions Provide strategic and operational leadership aligned with the Board‑approved mission, charter, and strategic priorities Lead organizational decision‑making related to academic performance, operations, finance, staffing, compliance, and school culture Supervise, coach, evaluate, and develop members of the leadership team Ensure compliance with all applicable charter, DESE, state, federal, and regulatory requirements Develop, monitor, and steward organizational budgets, resources, and long‑term financial sustainability Prepare and present reports, recommendations, dashboards, and other materials to the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders Communicate clearly and effectively with staff, families, trustees, community partners, and public agencies Manage multiple priorities, timelines, and organizational needs in a dynamic school environment Exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality regarding personnel, student, organizational, and governance matters Participate in meetings, events, public presentations, and school activities, including those occurring outside the regular school day Perform duties that require frequent movement throughout the school building and active engagement with staff, students, families, and community stakeholders Maintain regular and reliable attendance Performance Expectations Vision and Strategic Progress Clear direction and alignment across the organization Progress toward Board‑approved priorities for the transition year Academic Outcomes and Instructional Quality Student achievement and growth Strength and consistency of instructional systems Student Experience and Family Trust Positive, consistent school culture Strong family relationships and satisfaction Financial Health and Sustainability Balanced budgets and strong financial planning Alignment of resources to priorities Compliance and Risk Management Strong accountability performance Effective management of risk and compliance Leadership Team Effectiveness Strong performance of leadership team Evidence of coaching, development, and retention Success Measures for the Interim Year School operations remain stable and effective Leadership team roles and responsibilities are clearly defined Family and staff confidence improves Financial and compliance obligations are successfully met A clear assessment of organizational strengths, risks, and opportunities is provided to the Board The school is positioned for a successful transition to permanent leadership Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (education, leadership, public administration, or related field) Demonstrated PK‑12 school leadership experience (charter, district, independent, or equivalent) Demonstrated ability to lead academic and organizational improvement Demonstrated ability to steward budgets, oversee compliance obligations, and lead through complexity and change Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to present to boards and diverse stakeholders High integrity, excellent judgment, and a student‑centered leadership approach Ability to pass required background checks (CORI and fingerprinting as applicable) Preferred Qualifications Experience in Massachusetts public schools and/or charter accountability environments Experience with fundraising, development, and partnership‑building Familiarity with Montessori philosophy and/or experience protecting specialized school models Experience leading organizations through periods of transition, turnaround, restructuring, or executive leadership change Key Competencies Strategic leadership and organizational stabilization Instructional judgment and commitment to academic excellence Leadership development and team management Strong decision‑making and organizational leadership Relationship‑building and communication skills Systems thinking and operational alignment Resilience and ability to lead through change Family and community leadership Governance and board partnership Equal Employment Opportunity Statement River Valley Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military service or veteran status, citizenship status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer and compensation. At‑Will Employment Employment with River Valley Charter School is at‑will. Either the employee or the school may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, to the extent permitted by applicable law. ADA Accommodation Statement River Valley Charter School is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position. Applicants or employees who require an accommodation should notify Human Resources. #J-18808-Ljbffr