Assistant Superintendent

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nSalary: TBD Assistant Superintendent MISSION: The mission of Marion P. Thomas Charter School is to build culturally rich, transformative educational spaces that cultivate successful, lifelong innovators who use their passions, character, and intellect to better themselves, the greater Newark community, and the world beyond. WHO YOU ARE: You are a visionary and systems-oriented educational leader who is committed to advancing academic excellence across all schools through high-quality curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and continuous improvement. You are an instructional leader who builds the capacity of school leaders and teachers by fostering collaboration, ensuring accountability, and supporting the implementation of district priorities. You are skilled in using data to improve student outcomes, leading organizational change, ensuring compliance with state and federal requirements, and developing systems that promote equitable educational opportunities for all students. You possess exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills and are committed to creating a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and academic excellence. Supervises: District Academic Departments and Assigned Central Office Personnel Work Year: 12 Months Position Summary The Assistant Superintendent serves as the district's Chief Academic Officer and as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Leadership Team. The position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, school improvement, academic accountability, and continuous improvement across Marion P. Thomas Charter School. In collaboration with the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent helps develop and implement district goals, strategic priorities, Board initiatives, and organizational improvement efforts that promote high levels of student achievement and organizational excellence. The Assistant Superintendent assists the Superintendent in providing leadership and support to school administrators while supervising assigned central office academic personnel. The position collaborates with district leaders to implement the Board's vision, strategic priorities, and organizational goals through high-quality instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, and operational excellence. The Assistant Superintendent oversees district curriculum, instructional programming, assessment systems, professional development, leadership development, charter accountability, New Jersey Department of Education compliance, grant implementation, academic partnerships, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment among curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student achievement. The successful candidate demonstrates exceptional instructional leadership, strategic planning, organizational management, and the ability to build collaborative relationships that promote academic excellence and student success. Essential Responsibilities District Academic Leadership & Instructional OversightServe as the district leader responsible for curriculum, instruction, assessment, academic programming, and instructional improvement across all schools.Develop, implement, and monitor a coherent PreK12 instructional vision aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards, charter goals, Board priorities, and the district strategic plan.Provide executive leadership for curriculum development, curriculum adoption, instructional frameworks, pacing guides, intervention systems, and academic programming.Ensure alignment among curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, and student achievement.Lead districtwide instructional improvement initiatives designed to increase student achievement, eliminate achievement gaps, and improve educational outcomes.Analyze district, school, subgroup, and student performance data, including state assessments, benchmark assessments, interim assessments, graduation indicators, and growth measures to guide instructional decision-making.Develop and monitor district academic performance goals and accountability measures.Establish systems to monitor instructional quality, implementation fidelity, curriculum alignment, and classroom effectiveness.Conduct instructional program reviews and implementation monitoring to assess effectiveness and recommend continuous improvement strategies.Monitor implementation of Board-approved instructional initiatives and strategic priorities.Recommend instructional innovations, evidence-based practices, and educational technologies that improve teaching and learning.Collaborate with the Superintendent and executive leadership team to develop district academic priorities and annual improvement plans. School Leadership Support & DevelopmentAssist the Superintendent in providing instructional leadership, guidance, and support to school principals and other administrators.Support implementation of district academic priorities, Board goals, and strategic initiatives across all schools.Conduct regular school visits, instructional walkthroughs, learning walks, and classroom observations to monitor implementation of district curriculum, instructional initiatives, and school improvement efforts.Review instructional practices, assessment results, school performance indicators, and implementation data to identify strengths, trends, and areas requiring additional support.Provide coaching, consultation, and professional support to school administrators regarding curriculum, instruction, assessment, school improvement planning, organizational effectiveness, and educational best practices.Assist the Superintendent in developing leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring, and professional learning.Support implementation of district accountability systems that assist school leaders in achieving academic goals and organizational priorities.Assist principals with school improvement planning, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), intervention systems, instructional programming, and school culture initiatives.Assist the Superintendent in planning and facilitating principal leadership meetings focused on instructional priorities, student achievement, compliance, and continuous improvement.Provide recommendations to the Superintendent regarding instructional practices, school performance, leadership development, and district improvement initiatives. Central Office Academic LeadershipSupervise, develop, and evaluate assigned central office academic personnel responsible for curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, multilingual learner programs, federal programs, instructional technology, and other assigned academic initiatives.Establish clear expectations, measurable goals, and performance standards for assigned academic departments.Foster collaboration among Curriculum and Instruction, Special Services, Student Services, Human Resources, Operations, Finance, Technology, Enrollment, and school leadership to ensure coordinated implementation of district priorities.Develop systems that promote efficiency, communication, accountability, continuous improvement, and high-quality customer service.Coordinate cross-functional initiatives that support teaching, learning, and student achievement.Assist in the development and monitoring of academic program budgets in collaboration with the School Business Administrator and Superintendent.Ensure assigned departments maintain compliance with Board policy, New Jersey Administrative Code, federal regulations, and charter requirements. Curriculum, Instruction & AssessmentLead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of district curriculum and instructional programs.Ensure curriculum alignment with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, district priorities, and evidence-based instructional practices.Oversee district assessment systems, including:NJSLANJGPAACCESS for ELLsStart Strong (if applicable)Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)Benchmark AssessmentsInterim AssessmentsCommon Formative AssessmentsProgress Monitoring SystemsAnalyze districtwide assessment results and provide recommendations for instructional improvement.Develop district academic dashboards and performance reports for the Superintendent, Board of Trustees, and school leaders.Conduct instructional walkthroughs, learning walks, and program observations to monitor implementation of district curriculum, instructional initiatives, and school improvement efforts.Promote consistent instructional expectations across all schools.Support implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), intervention programs, enrichment opportunities, and acceleration initiatives.Recommend curriculum revisions, instructional resources, and innovative instructional practices based on student performance data and educational research.Ensure compliance with all New Jersey Department of Education curriculum, assessment, and instructional requirements.Monitor academic trends and develop improvement strategies. Professional Development & Talent DevelopmentDesign and oversee a comprehensive district professional development plan aligned with strategic priorities, district goals, and identified staff needs.Lead professional learning for teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and central office personnel.Develop differentiated professional learning opportunities based on student achievement data, classroom observations, and district initiatives.Oversee the development and implementation of the New Teacher Academy, including onboarding, mentoring, induction, coaching, and ongoing professional support.Develop administrator professional learning focused on instructional leadership, data analysis, curriculum implementation, coaching, and continuous improvement.Establish systems that strengthen teacher effectiveness, instructional quality, leadership development, and employee retention.Promote professional learning communities that support collaboration, reflection, innovation, and continuous improvement.Evaluate the effectiveness of professional development programs using participant feedback, implementation data, and student achievement outcomes.Partner with school leaders to identify professional learning needs based on student data and instructional observations. Leadership Pipeline DevelopmentDevelop and oversee the district leadership development program, including the MPTCS Leadership Lab (formerly Aspiring Leaders Academy).Identify, mentor, and prepare emerging instructional leaders for future leadership opportunities.Design leadership development programming focused on:Instructional LeadershipSchool ImprovementOrganizational LeadershipData AnalysisTeacher CoachingSchool CultureEducational Law and PolicyOperations and ComplianceStrategic PlanningEquity and Continuous ImprovementCollaborate with Human Resources on leadership succession planning and talent development.Establish leadership competencies and professional growth pathways for aspiring administrators. Charter Accountability, Compliance & State ReportingAssist the Superintendent in coordinating and completing the annual New Jersey Charter School Annual Report.Coordinate the collection, validation, analysis, and submission of academic data required by the New Jersey Department of Education, the Charter School Program Office, federal agencies, and other regulatory organizations.Ensure timely completion of all academic state reports, charter accountability reports, grant reports, and regulatory submissions.Monitor district compliance with New Jersey statutes, administrative code, Board policy, charter requirements, ESSA, Title programs, and other federal and state regulations related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and academic programming.Coordinate district responses, monitoring activities, evidence collection, and corrective action plans resulting from state monitoring visits, charter reviews, or audits.Collaborate with school leaders to ensure timely completion of all required reports, compliance documentation, and accountability measures.Monitor district performance indicators and recommend strategies to improve academic performance and organizational effectiveness.Advise the Superintendent regarding legislative changes, NJDOE initiatives, regulatory updates, and emerging educational trends affecting curriculum, instruction, assessment, and accountability.Coordinate district preparation for charter renewal, state monitoring, accreditation reviews, and other accountability processes.Ensure compliance with all testing security procedures, assessment accommodations, and state reporting timelines. Grants & External FundingSupport the development and implementation of grants aligned with district strategic priorities and instructional goals.Collaborate with district leadership in the development of competitive grant applications that expand educational opportunities for students and staff.Oversee implementation, compliance, evaluation, and reporting requirements for academic grants.Collaborate with the Business Office and grant managers to ensure grant budgets, expenditures, reporting requirements, and program deliverables are completed accurately and on time.Monitor grant-funded programs to ensure fidelity of implementation and measurable outcomes.Develop partnerships that expand instructional resources, innovative programming, and professional learning opportunities. Academic Partnerships & Postsecondary OpportunitiesDevelop and maintain collaborative partnerships with colleges, universities, community organizations, nonprofit agencies, and educational organizations.Expand dual enrollment opportunities and college credit-bearing experiences for students.Develop programs that increase student access to advanced coursework, internships, career pathways, and enrichment opportunities.Promote college and career readiness initiatives aligned with district goals. Student Programs, Enrichment & Academic ExperiencesProvide leadership and oversight for district academic enrichment opportunities, including:Academic CompetitionsSTEM ProgramsExperiential Learning OpportunitiesStudent Leadership ProgramsSummer Learning OpportunitiesAcademic Intervention and Enrichment ProgramsEnsure all student experiences align with district instructional priorities, student learning outcomes, safety requirements, and Board policy.Promote equitable access to academic enrichment opportunities across campuses. District Strategic Planning & Academic OperationsAssist the Superintendent in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the district Strategic Plan.Coordinate districtwide academic initiatives and annual implementation timelines.Lead development of the annual academic calendar in collaboration with district leadership.Ensure alignment of the academic calendar with:New Jersey Department of Education