Executive Director / Principal

Job Description Reports To: Board of Directors Position Type: Full-Time, Year-Round Position Summary: Marine Village School seeks a visionary, collaborative, and student-centered Executive Director/Principal to lead and grow a thriving public charter school rooted in academic excellence, community engagement, and environmental learning. The Executive Director/Principal serves as the school's chief educational and administrative leader, responsible for advancing the school's mission, overseeing daily operations, ensuring academic success, cultivating a strong school culture, and building meaningful relationships with families, staff, community partners, and the Board of Directors. Leadership & Vision Champion and advance the mission, vision, and strategic goals of Marine Village School. Foster a positive, inclusive, and student-focused school culture. Lead organizational planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and long-term sustainability efforts. Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the school within the community. Academic Excellence Provide instructional leadership that supports high-quality teaching and student achievement. Ensure curriculum alignment with Minnesota Academic Standards. Oversee assessment, intervention, and continuous improvement processes. Promote innovative learning opportunities that integrate ecology, outdoor education, arts, service, and community engagement. Support the school's commitment to small class sizes and individualized learning. Staff Leadership & Development Recruit, hire, supervise, develop, and retain exceptional educators and staff. Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching and professional growth opportunities. Foster a collaborative culture built on trust, accountability, and continuous learning. Support staff well-being and professional satisfaction. School Operations & Management Oversee day-to-day school operations, including student services, transportation, facilities, safety, and compliance. Ensure compliance with state and federal education regulations, charter requirements, and reporting obligations. Collaborate with the Board on policy development and implementation. Manage risk, emergency preparedness, and operational effectiveness. Financial Stewardship Partner with the Board and business management providers to develop and manage the annual budget. Pursue grants, fundraising opportunities, and strategic partnerships to support school priorities. Ensure responsible stewardship of public and private funds. An understanding of the differences between accrued accounting principles and processes AND cash accounting principles and processes. Expert knowledge of MDE's Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) processes. Proven budget management skills both for the accrued process used by MDE and the cash processes (cash flow, cash budgeting) which are needed to manage the day to day-to-day finances at the school. Understanding and working knowledge of MDE's fund balance calculations and management processes. Ability to navigate a dynamic financial situation with staff, parents, and MOSC city council as well as MVS's donors and the community at large. Family & Community Engagement Build strong relationships with students, families, staff, and community stakeholders. Maintain open, transparent, and proactive communication. Strengthen partnerships with local organizations, artists, environmental groups, and community leaders. Support enrollment, retention, and community outreach efforts. Governance & Board Relations Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors. Provide timely reports and recommendations to support informed governance. Collaborate with the Board on strategic planning, charter accountability, and organizational growth. Support board committees and governance initiatives. This leader will guide the school through its next phase of growth while preserving the close-knit, community-centered values that define Marine Village School. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Minnesota Principal License or ability to obtain appropriate licensure. Master’s degree in education, Educational Leadership, Public Administration, or related field. Minimum five years of successful educational leadership experience. Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing school operations. Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills. Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered education. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in a startup/growth-phase charter school setting. Knowledge of Minnesota charter school governance, finance, and accountability requirements. Experience with outdoor education, place-based learning, environmental education, or community-centered educational models. Grant writing, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership experience. Institution Description About Marine Village School: Marine Village School is a tuition‑free public charter school serving Kindergarten through sixth‑grade students in Marine on St. Croix and surrounding communities. The school offers a small, nurturing learning environment that combines strong academics with outdoor education, environmental stewardship, community partnerships, and hands‑on learning experiences. The school's mission emphasizes fostering a love of learning, respect for the environment, a sense of wonder, and responsibility to the community. Application Process Key Leadership Competencies: Visionary Leadership Strategic Thinking Instructional Excellence Financial Acumen Community Engagement Collaborative Decision-Making Talent Development Change Management Integrity and Accountability Effective Communication Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package including health benefits, retirement contributions, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Application Process: Interested candidates should submit application to Kien Nguyen, Board Vice Chair at View email address on click.appcast.io: Cover Letter Resume/Curriculum Vitae Three Professional References Statement of Educational Leadership Philosophy Marine Village School is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all students, staff, and families. Ideal Candidate Profile: A mission-driven educational leader who values academic rigor, environmental stewardship, community partnerships, and the unique opportunities that come from leading a small, relationship-centered charter school in the St. Croix Valley. #J-18808-Ljbffr MN Association of Charter Schools