Assistant Executive Director, Special Education and Pupil Services

Assistant Executive Director for the Special Education and Pupil Services Division

The Assistant Executive Director for the Special Education and Pupil Services Division serves as the senior operational leader responsible for overseeing all activities, programs, services, personnel, and operations within the division. This position provides executive-level leadership and strategic direction to ensure the effective delivery of high-quality special education and pupil services across the organization and participating local education agencies. Programs in the Special Education and Pupil Services Division include the AIU-operated Special Education Schools, Preschool Early Intervention, Pupil Services, and Related Services including OT/PT, Speech, Hearing and Vision.

This position plays a critical leadership role in strategic planning, program oversight, personnel administration, fiscal management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational leadership initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Administration

• Responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and strategic direction of the Special Education and Pupil Services Division.
• Provide executive oversight for all divisional programs, operations, initiatives, and services.
• Serve as the senior operational leader responsible for ensuring coordination and alignment across all divisional departments and programs.
• Represent the division at the organizational level meetings.
• Participate in executive leadership meetings, organizational planning activities, and cross-divisional initiatives.
• Provide leadership and decision-making support during organizational emergencies, operational challenges, or crisis response situations.
• Ensure divisional operations align with organizational priorities, strategic goals, and board expectations.

Program and Operational Leadership

• Direct and oversee the implementation, administration, and evaluation of all special education and pupil services programs.
• Ensure effective and compliant delivery of educational, behavioral, therapeutic, and student support services.
• Monitor operational performance metrics, service outcomes, and program effectiveness.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on service quality, operational efficiency, innovation, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Oversee divisional planning related to staffing, facilities, service delivery models, and resource allocation.
• Ensure consistency and coordination across divisional programs and leadership teams.

Compliance and Regulatory Leadership

• Ensure division-wide compliance with IDEA, Section 504, Chapter 14, FERPA, PDE requirements, and all applicable laws and regulations.
• Oversee corrective action planning, monitoring activities, audits, reporting requirements, and compliance reviews.
• Maintain awareness of legislative and regulatory changes impacting special education and pupil services.
• Provide leadership related to risk management, regulatory accountability, and operational compliance.

Personnel Leadership and Supervision

• Provide direct supervision and leadership support to divisional administrators, directors, supervisors, coordinators, and other assigned personnel.
• Lead efforts related to recruitment, hiring, retention, succession planning, and workforce development within the division.
• Support employee performance management, coaching, professional growth, and accountability systems.
• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding employee relations, staffing matters, organizational structure, and personnel decisions.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, professionalism, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Fiscal and Resource Management

• Assist in the development and oversight of divisional budgets, grants, and financial planning activities.
• Monitor fiscal performance to ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
• Support long-range planning related to program sustainability, staffing needs, facilities, and operational growth.
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies, cost containment, and strategic investments.

Stakeholder and Community Relations

• Serve as a liaison to school districts, community agencies, families, governmental entities, and external partners.
• Represent the organization at regional, state, and professional meetings, committees, and collaborative initiatives.
• Support positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders through responsive communication and collaborative problem-solving.
• Assist in the development and communication of divisional priorities, initiatives, and organizational updates.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Master's degree required in Special Education, Educational Leadership, School Administration, Pupil Services, or a related field.
• Doctoral degree preferred.

Certification:

• Pennsylvania Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (LOE) required.
• Appropriate Pennsylvania administrative certification required.
• Special education or pupil services certification preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex educational programs, operations, and personnel.
• Significant experience in special education administration and pupil services leadership required.
• Experience serving in a senior leadership or executive-level administrative role preferred.
• Experience working within a public education agency, intermediate unit, or multi-district educational environment preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of special education laws, regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices.
• Strong executive leadership, organizational management, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to lead large-scale operations and manage complex organizational initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze data and operational information to support strategic decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and change management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered service delivery.

Additional Requirements:

• Current Act 114, Act 34, Act 151 and NSOR Clearances required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).
• School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

Working Conditions: This position may involve standing, walking, and active engagement throughout the day. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent travel to schools, district locations, organizational sites, and community meetings.
• Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Ability to manage complex operational, personnel, and compliance responsibilities in a fast-paced executive leadership environment.
• Sitting for extended period of time
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling 35 pounds
• Ability to kneel, crouch, bend and reach to retrieve and handle teaching materials and supplies
• Moving fingers and hands in a repetitive manner
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly when communicating with limited English speaking customers
• Hearing clearly
• Adequate vision to perform duties

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Disclaimer: The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of this position.

Reports To: Executive Director

Department: Special Education and Pupil Services

Position Schedule: 260-day position

Benefits: Executive Leadership Team Benefit Plan

To Apply: Create an on-line application and upload a cover letter, resume, clearances, and transcripts at the AIU Career Site.

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, or limited English proficiency in its educational programs, services, facilities, activities or employment practices as required by Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 504 Regulations of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, Section 204 Regulations of the 1984 Carl D. Perkins Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other applicable federal or state statute.