Dean of Academics Job Description
SPIRE Academy | Geneva, Ohio
Position Overview
The Dean of Academics serves under the leadership of the Head of School and is responsible for the execution, management, and continuous improvement of SPIRE Academy’s academic operations.
This role serves as the operational lead for instructional systems, faculty support, academic innovation, scheduling, intervention systems, and student academic performance. The Dean of Academics works collaboratively with faculty, coaches, student support staff, college counseling, and leadership teams to ensure an exceptional and flexible academic experience for elite student-athletes.
The ideal candidate is an innovative and student-centered academic leader who understands the demands of high-performance environments and can build systems that balance academic rigor, flexibility, accountability, and student well-being.
Key Responsibilities
1. Academic Operations & Systems Leadership
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Oversee daily academic operations including scheduling, instructional continuity, academic coverage, and student academic accountability systems.
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Develop flexible academic structures that support elite student-athlete travel schedules while maintaining academic rigor and compliance.
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Lead implementation and management of academic systems including learning management platforms, grading systems, communication systems, and reporting structures.
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Partner with the Head of School to design innovative and future-ready learning experiences aligned to the SPIRE mission.
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Monitor academic performance data and intervention systems to ensure timely student support and academic growth.
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Ensure alignment between curriculum, graduation requirements, NCAA eligibility expectations, accreditation standards, and institutional priorities.
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Support strategic scheduling and operational planning to maximize flexibility and student success.
2. Faculty Development & Instructional Leadership
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Recruit, support, supervise, and evaluate instructional staff.
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Foster a culture of innovation, flexibility, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement among academic staff.
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Lead instructional walkthroughs, coaching cycles, and professional learning aligned to SPIRE Academy priorities.
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Support teachers in designing engaging, student-centered learning experiences that accommodate individualized student-athlete pathways.
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Coordinate onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing professional development for faculty members.
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Promote interdisciplinary learning opportunities, project-based learning experiences, and future-ready instructional practices.
3. Student-Athlete Academic Support
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Collaborate with coaches, advisors, college counseling staff, and student support personnel to ensure alignment between academic expectations and athletic commitments.
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Develop systems that proactively support students during travel, competition seasons, and individualized training schedules.
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Monitor academic eligibility, intervention plans, progress reporting, and academic support systems for student-athletes.
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Support individualized academic pathways, flexible pacing structures, and personalized learning opportunities when appropriate.
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Address student academic concerns in a timely, supportive, and student-centered manner.
4. Educational Technology & Digital Systems
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Oversee the implementation and effective use of educational technology platforms across the Academy.
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Support and maintain academic workflows utilizing Google Workspace for Education and collaborative communication systems.
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Partner with operational and technology teams to ensure students and faculty have access to effective digital learning environments.
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Support streamlined systems for communication, assignment management, grading, intervention tracking, and academic reporting.
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Promote responsible and innovative uses of AI and emerging technologies within academic environments.
5. Accreditation, Compliance & Institutional Excellence
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Support accreditation processes and ensure compliance with institutional, state, NCAA, and educational requirements.
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Develop and monitor academic policies, grading practices, reporting procedures, and institutional effectiveness initiatives.
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Maintain accurate academic records and support data-informed decision-making.
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Collaborate with leadership teams to establish academic goals, performance metrics, and continuous improvement strategies.
6. Collaboration & Community Engagement
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Serve as a collaborative member of the Academy leadership team.
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Build strong relationships with students, families, faculty, coaches, and external partners.
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Support a positive and inclusive culture that prioritizes excellence, belonging, accountability, and student growth.
7. Testing Coordination & Academic Operations
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Serve as the school’s testing coordinator for standardized and academic assessments.
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Coordinate testing logistics around athletic travel schedules, competitions, and extended absences.
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Communicate testing schedules, accommodations, and procedures with students, families, faculty, and coaches.
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Ensure compliance with all testing protocols and maintain accurate records and reporting.
Qualifications & Requirements
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Master’s degree required; Doctorate preferred in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
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Ohio administrative licensure or ability to obtain licensure preferred.
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Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in education, instructional leadership, or academic operations.
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Experience supporting innovative learning environments, hybrid learning structures, or flexible academic systems preferred.
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Strong understanding of NCAA eligibility requirements, accreditation standards, and student-athlete academic support systems preferred.
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Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage systems, and foster strong organizational culture.
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Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
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Strong working knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 platforms.
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Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving, and highly collaborative environment.
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Commitment to supporting the holistic development of student-athletes.
Reporting Structure
Reports To:Head of School
Collaborates With: Assistant Dean Director of Academic Advising & College Counseling Athletic Leadership Team Academic Faculty & Support Staff
SPIRE Leadership Philosophy
At SPIRE Academy, we believe academic excellence and elite athletic performance are not competing priorities. We are building a future-ready learning environment where students are challenged, supported, known, and prepared for success beyond graduation.
We seek leaders who are innovative, relational, adaptable, and deeply committed to helping students grow as learners, leaders, competitors, and people.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
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Dental insurance
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Employee discount
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Life insurance
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Paid time off
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Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
