Executive Director - Cincinnati

IDEA Public Schools is one of the nation's highest-performing public charter school networks, serving approximately 87,000 students across more than 140 tuition-free schools. For over 15 consecutive years, every IDEA graduating class has achieved nearly 100% college acceptance. IDEA Greater Cincinnati is entering an exciting stage of growth. We are seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead the region into its next chapter by driving academic excellence, enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and community impact. Position Summary The Executive Director serves as the senior regional leader for IDEA Greater Cincinnati and is accountable for: Student achievement and academic outcomes Enrollment growth and student persistence Financial sustainability and regional performance Talent development and leadership effectiveness Community engagement and organizational visibility Reporting to the National Executive Director, IPS Enterprises, the Executive Director serves as the primary liaison to the IDEA Greater Cincinnati Board of Directors, the state authorizer, and community stakeholders while serving as a key member of the IPS Leadership Team. Key Priorities This leader will be responsible for: Growing regional enrollment from approximately 1,100 students to more than 1,800 students Accelerating academic performance to achieve 4.5 Stars by 2030 Building a financially sustainable region Developing a high-performing leadership team capable of long-term success Strengthening IDEA's presence across the Cincinnati community Strategic Leadership Develop and execute the regional strategic vision aligned with IDEA Public Schools' mission. Translate long-term priorities into measurable annual operating plans. Partner with national departments including Finance, Human Resources, Compliance, and Information Technology. Participate in organizational leadership to help shape network-wide strategy. Lead regional enrollment and persistence efforts. Strengthen IDEA's brand and community presence. Oversee annual budget development and financial planning. Manage regional financial performance and identify risks proactively. Academic Excellence Drive strong student outcomes across all campuses. Develop instructional leaders through coaching and accountability. Foster a culture of data-driven decision making. Ensure compliance with Ohio accountability requirements and academic benchmarks. Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional regional leaders. Build leadership capacity through coaching and succession planning. Establish a culture of accountability, feedback, and continuous improvement. Governance & Community Engagement Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors. Maintain strong relationships with the state authorizer and community partners. Represent IDEA Public Schools with elected officials, philanthropic partners, and civic leaders. Serve as the public face of IDEA Greater Cincinnati. Organizational Culture Build a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, care for people, and mission. Ensure teachers and staff feel supported and valued. Promote organizational health while maintaining operational excellence. Qualifications Successful candidates will typically possess: Seven or more years of progressive executive leadership experience. Experience leading multi-school, regional, or organization-wide operations. Demonstrated success growing enrollment, programs, schools, or organizations. Strong financial acumen, including ownership of budgets or P&L responsibility. Proven ability to improve academic outcomes through leadership. Experience leading senior teams across multiple functional areas. Success building relationships with boards, regulators, funders, and community stakeholders. Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred. Commitment to being a full-time, on-site leader in Cincinnati. The salary range for this position is $161,694-$198,884 , commensurate with experience and internal equity. IDEA Public Schools also offers: Performance-based incentive eligibility Medical, dental, and vision insurance Life and disability insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Generous paid time off Relocation assistance (when applicable) Why Join IDEA Greater Cincinnati? This is more than a leadership role, it's an opportunity to build something transformational. As Executive Director, you will lead a growing region at a pivotal moment, shaping educational opportunities for thousands of students while helping build one of Cincinnati's premier public school organizations. You'll have the support of a nationally recognized network with the autonomy to make lasting impact in your community. #J-18808-Ljbffr IDEA Public Schools