Primary Function:
The Executive Director of College and Career Readiness provides visionary leadership for the district’s College, Career, and Innovative Learning programs to ensure all students experience engaging, future-focused, and real-world learning opportunities that prepare them for choice-filled futures. The Executive Director leads the strategic development, implementation, alignment, and continuous improvement of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), Choice Programs, Signature Learning Experiences, innovative learning initiatives, workforce partnerships, and future-ready learning opportunities across the district.
Reports To: Chief Academic Officer, Office of Instructional Excellence
Salary Schedule: (A-2)
Work Days: 250 Days
Requirements:
1. Education:
Education Specialist degree in education from an accredited college or university OR a Master’s degree in education with significant experience in education administration
Preferred:
Earned Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in Educational Leadership.
Valid CTAE Certification or demonstrated experience leading Career and Technical Education programs.
2. Experience, Skill, and Certification:
Required:
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Valid Georgia Educational Leadership certification.
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Minimum of five (5) years successful experience as a principal or district-level educational leader.
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Experience leading college and career readiness, workforce development, innovative learning, CTAE, choice, or specialized learning programs.
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Knowledge of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program requirements, Perkins funding, and state/federal compliance requirements.
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Experience developing and implementing future-ready learning opportunities and innovative instructional models.
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Knowledge of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary instructional practices and real-world learning models.
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Experience with workforce development, economic development, industry partnerships, internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning.
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Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategic initiatives aligned to district goals and student outcome priorities.
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Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
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Strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills with the ability to build and sustain positive relationships with staff, schools, families, businesses, postsecondary institutions, and community partners.
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Demonstrated effectiveness in leading teams, managing complex projects, and facilitating organizational change
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Experience using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor effectiveness, improve programs, and support strategic decision-making.
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Knowledge of curriculum design, instructional innovation, student engagement strategies, and future-ready competencies.
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Ability to supervise, coach, and develop district leaders and staff.
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Demonstrated experience in budget management and resource stewardship.
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Proficiency with emerging technology, data systems, and software platforms.
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Excellent planning, organization, oral/written communication, and human relations skills.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Evaluate all department directors, administrators, and specialists as assigned.
Preferred:
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Experience in a large urban system characterized by multi ethnic and cultural identity
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Experience as a district-level CTAE administrator or Director.
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Experience leading innovative learning initiatives, STEM/STEAM implementation, design thinking, entrepreneurship, or signature learning programs.
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Experience building business, industry, and postsecondary partnerships.
Essential Duties:
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Provide strategic leadership for the district’s College, Career, and Innovative Learning programs and initiatives aligned to the district’s mission, vision, and strategic plan priorities.
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Lead implementation of district strategic priorities focused on redesigning school experiences to ensure students are engaged, empowered, and future ready.
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Design, implement, and continuously improve a districtwide framework for Signature Learning Experiences that ensures every student participates in authentic, real-world, and future-focused learning opportunities.
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Lead district efforts to expand innovation and future-ready learning opportunities across all schools and student populations.
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Oversee the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs and pathways.
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Ensure CTAE programs align to workforce trends, economic development priorities, industry standards, and postsecondary opportunities.
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Lead and support the expansion of career pathways, internships, apprenticeships, dual enrollment opportunities, work-based learning experiences, and industry credentialing opportunities.
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Ensure compliance with all state and federal CTAE requirements, Perkins requirements, and Georgia Department of Education standards for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education.
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Lead the development and implementation of innovative learning experiences that integrate design thinking, inquiry-based learning, creativity, entrepreneurship, STEM/STEAM, emerging technologies, and community-connected learning.
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Support schools in developing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning experiences that connect academic content to authentic real-world problems, challenges, and applications.
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Facilitate the integration of innovative learning experiences across academic, CTAE, arts, specialty, and student support programs.
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Collaborate with Curriculum and Instruction and Strategy Innovation and Performance leaders to align innovative learning opportunities with rigorous instructional practices, district curriculum priorities, and future-ready competencies.
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Oversee district Choice Programs and support the development of innovative and specialized school models aligned to district priorities and student interests.
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Ensure alignment and coherence among CTAE pathways, Choice Programs, Signature Learning Experiences, and innovative learning opportunities.
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Collaborate with district leaders, principals, teachers, counselors, and instructional staff to ensure equitable access to future-focused pathways and student experiences.
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Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with businesses, industries, higher education institutions, workforce agencies, and community organizations to expand student opportunities and experiences.
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Establish and facilitate advisory partnerships and collaborative networks to ensure district programs remain responsive to workforce, industry, and community needs.
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Collect, analyze, and present data related to program effectiveness, student participation, pathway completion, credential attainment, postsecondary readiness, and workforce outcomes.
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Use data and strategic planning processes to identify trends, monitor implementation effectiveness, and drive continuous improvement efforts.
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Develop and monitor departmental budgets and ensure efficient, effective, and equitable resource stewardship.
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Supervise and evaluate the Director of CTAE, Innovative Learning Specialists, and assigned staff in alignment with district leadership expectations and competencies.
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Provide leadership coaching, support, and professional learning for school and district leaders related to CTAE, innovative learning, future-ready practices, student engagement, and pathway implementation
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Build leadership capacity among school administrators and instructional staff to support implementation of innovative and future-focused learning models.
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Lead and facilitate cross-departmental collaboration to strengthen coherence, alignment, and integration of college, career, and innovative learning systems.
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Demonstrate strategic thinking, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking, and team leadership in the development and execution of department goals and initiatives.
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Demonstrate positive, collaborative leadership and participate in collegial problem-solving across departments, schools, and community partnerships with an emphasis on improving student outcomes and experiences.
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Serve as a liaison representing the district in community organizations, workforce development partnerships, postsecondary collaborations, state-level meetings, and professional organizations.
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Provide information and recommendations to district leadership and the Board of Education regarding college, career, innovative learning, workforce development, and future-ready learning initiatives.
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Leads and champions a districtwide culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement that prepares every student for meaningful participation in college, careers, community, and life.
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Performs other duties as necessary for the effectiveness of the organization.
Non-Essential Responsibilities
A responsibility is considered to be “non-essential” (for the purposes of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) if:
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it is shared between multiple incumbents in the job; or
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it could be performed by an employee in another job within the workgroup.
Note the responsibility number from the list in the “Duties and Responsibilities” section for those responsibilities that could be considered “non-essential” based on this definition. (NONE)
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Incumbents will receive an annual contract. The work calendar will be 250 days. Salary will be determined based on level of certification and allowable experience. (A-2) Exempt New 07-2025
Physical and Sensory Demands
OFFICE: Employees in this category are normally exposed to a typical environment. The employee has some control over the length of time sitting, standing, or ambulating. There are occasions that require the lifting or pulling of equipment or supplies, as well as bending, stooping, or stretching. There is frequent use of computers, telephone, and other standard office equipment, which includes reading, listening, writing, or speaking. There are few exceptional physical or sensory demands.
