The Pueblo of Laguna Department of Education (LDoE) is seeking an experienced, visionary, and collaborative educational leader to serve as Superintendent. As the chief executive officer of LDoE, the Superintendent works under the direction of and is accountable to the Laguna Board of Education and provides overall leadership, administration, and oversight of LDoE schools, divisions, programs, and personnel.
The Superintendent is responsible for advancing the mission, vision, Core Values, and strategic goals of LDoE while promoting educational excellence, organizational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and the success and well-being of students and staff. This position provides leadership across academic programs, operations, finance, facilities, personnel, and community engagement, while ensuring that Laguna language, culture, values, and Tribal sovereignty remain integral to the educational experience.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished educational leader who understands the unique opportunities and responsibilities of leading a Tribal education system. The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to student-centered education, continuous improvement, collaborative leadership, fiscal responsibility, and strong relationships with the Board of Education, Pueblo leadership, employees, families, students, and community partners.
Responsibilities / Essential Functions
1. Executive & Organizational Leadership
- Provides overall leadership, administration, and supervision of LDoE schools, divisions, programs, and operations.
- Implements the goals, policies, and directives established by the Laguna Board of Education and ensures Board decisions are carried out effectively and timely.
- Develops and implements long- and short-term plans that advance LDoE's mission, strategic goals, and organizational priorities.
- Builds and sustains a highly qualified leadership team and workforce reflective of the Pueblo of Laguna and its Core Values.
- Promotes an organizational culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, research, and evaluation.
2. Educational Leadership & Student Success
- Provides executive leadership for educational programs and services, promoting academic and instructional excellence and high standards of student achievement.
- Works with academic leadership to develop, implement, and evaluate instructional programs and services that meet the educational needs of students.
- Promotes student-centered teaching and learning and supports the social, emotional, and physical wellness of students.
- Ensures systems and programs support the integration and advancement of Laguna language and culture throughout the educational environment.
- Maintains awareness of educational trends, best practices, research, and legislation that may affect LDoE schools, students, programs, and services.
3. Board Governance & Strategic Partnership
- Serves as the Board of Education's chief executive and works closely with the Board President to support effective governance.
- Keeps the Board fully informed regarding the progress, performance, needs, and condition of LDoE schools, divisions, and programs.
- Collaborates with the Board President in developing meeting agendas and provides information and recommendations necessary to support informed Board decision-making.
- Advises the Board on matters involving education, organizational operations, finance, facilities, personnel, and community relationships.
- Attends Board meetings and ensures approved Board decisions are implemented throughout the organization.
4. Financial & Operational Stewardship
- Provides executive oversight of LDoE financial resources and promotes long-term financial sustainability.
- Works with the Executive Director of Finance to develop and administer the annual operating budget and monitor the organization's financial condition.
- Oversees organizational resources, including personnel, finance, facilities, programs, and time, to promote effective and responsible operations.
- Ensures compliance with applicable Tribal and Federal requirements governing LDoE operations and financial activities.
- Provides executive oversight of facilities, transportation, technology, human resources, student services, and other support functions.
5. People & Leadership Development
- Directly supervises designated executive and senior-level leaders and provides overall leadership for the LDoE workforce.
- Recruits, develops, evaluates, and retains qualified professional and management staff.
- Establishes performance expectations and promotes professional development, accountability, shared governance, and continuous improvement.
- Fosters a positive, respectful, and productive work environment across schools, departments, and programs.
6. Community, Tribal & External Relations
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with students, families, employees, Pueblo leadership and communities, Tribal entities, educational partners, and other stakeholders.
- Advocates for LDoE and maintains open communication with parents, community members, and other stakeholders.
- Establishes collaborative relationships with higher education institutions, public and BIE school districts, government entities, and community partners.
- Demonstrates an understanding of and sensitivity to Tribal protocol, education sovereignty, and the cultural values of the Pueblo of Laguna.
- Represents LDoE professionally with Tribal Government, legislators, media, partner organizations, and the broader community.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge and understanding of the purposes, principles, practices, and emerging trends of education and educational administration.
- Knowledge of Pueblo culture and experience working with Native American students and communities, preferably Pueblo students and communities.
- Understanding of Tribal and educational sovereignty and the ability to incorporate language and culture into educational leadership and decision-making.
- Strong strategic leadership, organizational management, fiscal management, and budgeting skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead educational improvement and develop and implement effective programs, systems, and practices.
- Ability to recruit, develop, motivate, and retain highly qualified leaders and employees.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships with the Board, Pueblo leadership, employees, students, families, community members, and external partners.
- Demonstrated record as a positive, innovative, collaborative, and results-oriented leader.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Education Administration from an approved institution; Doctor of Education in Educational Administration preferred.
- Minimum of five years of experience in administration.
- Successful experience in public school and/or Native American school teaching and administration/leadership preferred.
- Must meet all applicable Federal, legal, State, and Pueblo of Laguna Department of Education certification requirements.
- Current and valid State of New Mexico licensure in Educational Administration required.
- Current and valid New Mexico driver's license required.
Additional Requirements
Must be insurable and have no DWI convictions within the past five years. Successful candidate must pass required pre-employment drug/alcohol screening and background clearance requirements.
This search is being conducted by Valliant Consulting Group. Native preference applies.
Pay: $130,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
