General Description:

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) is responsible for creating and executing a vision for the academic success of all RPS students. Additionally, the CAO is responsible for developing, coaching, supporting, and evaluating a team of five senior leaders: four Principal Directors, each of whom directly manages a cohort of principals; and one Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, who manages the departments responsible for curriculum, exceptional education, English learner education, and other academic areas. Finally, the CAO serves on the Superintendent’s Leadership Team, and, as such, helps make key strategic decisions for the entire division.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements a vision of instructional excellence grounded in the division’s strategic plan, Dreams4RPS
• Prioritizes the learning of students furthest from opportunity, including those who receive exceptional education services, do not speak English as their native language, have limited financial means, face institutionalized racism, and/or face housing/food insecurity
• Develops and implements a vision of school leadership directly tied to the division’s vision for instructional excellence
• Manages and evaluates staff including the division’s four Principal Directors, who supervise, coach, and evaluate the division’s principals and, by extension, the division’s assistant principals and the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, who supervises, coaches, and evaluates the Office’s Academic Directors
• Ensures close collaboration between the Principal Directors and the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning to ensure that schools receive clear, aligned, and effective support and guidance
• Gathers both quantitative and qualitative instructional data to guide decision-making; spends significant time observing classes, talking with teachers and students, and sitting in on principal leadership meetings to assess the instructional health of the division
• Supports the Superintendent and Leadership Team with:
  • the development and implementation of the division’s goals, as well as strategies to implement them
  • the efficient and effective use of the division’s budget
  • adherence to School Board policy
  • the Memorandum of Understanding with the Virginia Department of Education, and all relevant federal and state education laws and policies
• Participates in all School Board meetings, serving as the primary point of contact for academic matters
• Works collaboratively with other governmental bodies (including the Virginia Department of Education and the City of Richmond) and the non-profit, faith, and business sectors to advance student academic success
• Communicates and explains the vision for instructional excellence to the teachers, administrators, support staff, parents/caregivers, and the public
• Serves as an ambassador for RPS to celebrate students and teachers, recruit talented educators and support staff, and generate financial support for the division
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher required; concentration in educational leadership preferred
• At least 7 years of senior level experience, including experience as a principal and central office leader required
• Administration and Supervision License from the Virginia Department of Education (or eligibility to secure this license) required