Director/Senior Director of Continuous Improvement

North Lawndale College Prep Director/Senior Director of Continuous Improvement 12-Month Position Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Position Summary The Director/Senior Director of Continuous Improvement serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing organizational effectiveness, instructional excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across North Lawndale College Prep (NLCP). This position leads the development and implementation of performance management systems, instructional improvement initiatives, data strategy, MTSS implementation, compliance monitoring, strategic planning, and school improvement efforts aligned with NLCP's mission, strategy, CPS Charter Renewal Framework, ISBE School Report Card indicators, and college-readiness goals. The Director/Senior Director of Continuous Improvement also leads school-based rigor walks; develops, implements, and monitors school-level instructional improvement plans; and provides ongoing support and coaching to school leadership teams and Instructional Leadership Teams (ILTs) to ensure high-quality teaching, learning, and student outcomes. The Director/Senior Director serves as the organization's lead strategist for translating data into action, ensuring leaders at all levels have the systems, tools, and accountability structures necessary to improve student achievement, operational effectiveness, and organizational performance. The Director/Senior Director of Continuous Improvement serves as an executive leader and central integrator across the organization, driving cross-functional coordination, operational excellence, and strategic execution across Human Resources, School and Network Operations, Instruction, External Affairs, Development, and Project Management. This role ensures alignment of organizational priorities, promotes accountability, and supports the successful implementation of key strategic initiatives. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned leader with deep expertise in educational assessment, school improvement, and organizational effectiveness to shape the future of teaching and learning while strengthening systems that support student achievement and institutional success. Position Responsibilities Strategic Performance Leadership Develop and oversee a comprehensive organizational performance management framework aligned to CPS Charter Renewal metrics, ISBE School Report Card indicators, Continuous Improvement Work Plans (CIWP), and organizational strategic priorities. Create and maintain executive-level dashboards that monitor progress toward academic, operational, financial, and compliance goals. Routinely evaluate organizational performance against external benchmarks, including ISBE Commendable and Exemplary School indicators and CPS Charter Renewal expectations. Present bi-monthly performance reports to the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and Academic Committee. Monitor organizational progress toward key strategic outcomes, including: Attendance Enrollment Days of Peace GPA Freshman On-Track Status FAFSA Completion College Persistence (Years 1-3) Teacher Licensure Teacher Effectiveness Student Participation in Athletics and Clubs Postsecondary Outcomes Cash-on-Hand Student Discipline Indicators MTSS Intervention Effectiveness Special Education Compliance Develop and implement corrective action plans when organizational performance falls below established benchmarks. Lead cross-functional improvement initiatives designed to address performance gaps and accelerate organizational outcomes. Instructional Leadership and School Improvement Develop and implement a network-wide instructional improvement strategy focused on increasing student achievement and college readiness. Lead instructional coaching systems and professional learning initiatives for teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators. Support implementation of ambitious instruction, culturally responsive teaching practices, and rigorous student discourse. Conduct instructional reviews, learning walks, and classroom observations utilizing Danielson Framework, Rigor Walks, and instructional look-fors. Facilitate Cycles of Inquiry and continuous improvement routines aligned to school improvement priorities. Support freshman on-track initiatives, college readiness systems, AP programming, dual enrollment opportunities, and academic acceleration initiatives. Monitor curriculum implementation and instructional fidelity. Collaborate with school leadership teams to improve teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Leadership Provide strategic oversight for the organization's MTSS framework. Lead monthly MTSS accountability meetings focused on intervention tracking, implementation fidelity, and student outcomes. Monitor MTSS documentation, intervention implementation, and progress monitoring systems. Ensure staff consistently utilize established MTSS systems and protocols. Collaborate with school leaders and intervention teams to address barriers to implementation. Oversee intervention effectiveness and monitor outcomes for Tier II and Tier III students. Data Strategy, Analytics, and Reporting Design and maintain comprehensive systems for tracking academic, behavioral, operational, compliance, and organizational performance data. Serve as the organization's lead strategist for data utilization and performance management. Collaborate with technology, operations, student services, and academic teams to ensure data integrity and alignment across systems. Partner with staff responsible for PowerSchool, Tableau, SchoolLinks, CPS Dashboards, Epicenter, and other reporting systems. Develop dashboards and reports for: Board of Directors Academic Committee School Leadership Teams Department Leaders Cross-Functional Working Groups Establish annual data reporting calendars and accountability structures. Facilitate monthly data analysis meetings focused on student achievement and intervention planning. Lead ACT interim assessment analysis sessions and instructional response planning. Promote data literacy across the organization through training, coaching, and professional development. Ensure data is timely, accurate, actionable, and accessible. Organizational Learning and Continuous Improvement Lead the implementation of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) continuous improvement cycles across departments. Facilitate quarterly improvement reviews with department leaders and school leadership teams. Support leaders in developing SMART goals aligned to organizational priorities. Conduct organizational SWOT analyses and strategic planning sessions. Develop systems that promote organizational learning, accountability, and innovation. Build leadership capacity through coaching, professional development, and performance management systems. Create structures that celebrate organizational successes and highlight areas for growth. Cross-Functional Leadership and Project Management Lead cross-functional working groups that support strategic initiatives and organizational priorities, including: Academic Improvement Team (AIG) Postsecondary Success Academic Policy Development MTSS Intervention Systems Recruitment and Enrollment Teacher Effectiveness Student Engagement and Participation Credit Recovery Systems Behavioral Intervention Frameworks Establish project management systems that improve organizational communication, transparency, and accountability. Monitor project implementation, progress toward goals, and organizational impact. Provide regular updates to leadership and staff regarding project outcomes and milestones. Special Education Compliance and Accountability Monitor organizational compliance with federal, state, and local special education requirements. Track and report on: IEP Completion Rates SPP Indicator 11 Compliance Record Reviews Service Delivery Compliance Corrective Action Plans Develop improvement strategies when compliance indicators fall below expectations. Collaborate with student services leadership to ensure continuous compliance and service quality. External Reporting, Board Relations, and Grant Strategy Prepare comprehensive reports for the Board of Directors, authorizers, funders, and external stakeholders. Support charter renewal processes and organizational accountability reviews. Lead or contribute to grant proposals aligned with organizational priorities. Develop systems for monitoring grant implementation and outcomes. Ensure grant-funded initiatives are aligned to performance goals and reporting requirements. Represent the organization in meetings with external partners, agencies, and funders as appropriate. Qualifications Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Data Analytics, Public Administration, or related field required. Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) required. Illinois Principal Endorsement required; Superintendent Endorsement preferred. Minimum of seven (7) years of leadership experience in education, school improvement, or organizational performance management. Demonstrated success leading instructional improvement and organizational change initiatives. Experience managing complex performance management systems and strategic planning processes. Extensive knowledge of CPS accountability systems, ISBE reporting metrics, charter school performance frameworks, MTSS, and continuous improvement methodologies. Strong background in data analysis, dashboard development, and performance reporting. Experience presenting to executive leadership teams, governing boards, and external stakeholders. Leadership Competencies Strategic Leadership Instructional Leadership Organizational Effectiveness Data-Driven Decision Making Systems Thinking Continuous Improvement Equity-Centered Leadership Change Management Project Management Adult Learning and Coaching Board and Stakeholder Communication Accountability and Results Orientation Conditions of Employment Must be authorized to work in the United States. Compliance with all ISBE regulations, CPS Charter requirements, Board policies, and applicable federal and state laws. Successful completion of required background checks and employment verifications. Occasional evening and weekend work required for Board meetings, professional development, and organizational events. #J-18808-Ljbffr