Superintendent, Achievement First

About Achievement First

Founded in 2008, Achievement First (AF) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports 41 public charter schools across New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Recognized as one of the nation's top charter school networks for nearly 25 years, AF remains dedicated to continuous improvement, programmatic innovation, and sustainable growth to enhance student outcomes. The network serves over 15,000 students, the majority of whom are Black and Latinx, qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and will be the first in their families to graduate from college.

Achievement First's mission is to prepare every student to excel in college and career, develop a deep understanding of self and community, and lead lives of purpose. Grounded in the belief that all students have unlimited potential and the power to shape a more just society, AF recently launched a five-year strategic plan focused on three key areas: Enhanced K-12 Programming, Equity-Centered Talent, and Community Engagement.

Learn more about the mission, vision, and schools by visiting www.achievementfirst.org.

About the Superintendent

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Superintendent of Achievement First is responsible for the comprehensive implementation of the K-12 program, encompassing academics and instruction, school culture, social-emotional learning, special education, multilingual learners, and enrichment.

This role requires an instructional expert with a bold vision for transforming K-12 Schooling -someone deeply aligned with Achievement First's mission and vision and capable of scaling that vision effectively. The Superintendent will build upon AF's successes while addressing both challenges and opportunities, driving results through the leadership of senior team members, including six direct reports.

Entering the organization at a pivotal moment, the Superintendent will play a key role in executing the newly developed five-year strategic plan and graduate aims, ensuring its goals are realized through clear direction, dynamic leadership, and a steadfast commitment to educational excellence. This role, which is both strategic and hands-on, will shape the future of the organization and must lead with innovation and forward-thinking educational practices.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Outline the future of the network in pursuit of instructional excellence and the realization of our graduate aims (40%)

• Ensure alignment of the academic program across elementary, middle and high school to ensure a cohesive K-12 experience for all students.
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative data and past lessons, to diagnose trends and improve AF's academic and social-emotional support model and service delivery to students.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the schools and bring insight and understanding on the key levers that impact academic success to ensure AF is meeting and exceeding its goals.
• Help define the components of a matrix organization, clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities between network and region-level teams in pursuit of providing exceptional school support.
• Identify and cross-pollinate best practices across the region, in partnership with the network support teams.

Galvanize and lead an effective network and regional teams to deliver an exceptional education experience for all students (40%)

• Ensure that the talent strategy in each region is designed and executed to meet the ambitious goals for the organization.
• Build and sustain the team to run AF's schools efficiently and effectively, balancing the management of daily school operations with the work of supporting the team to think strategically about the future needs of our scholars.
• Cultivate a high-performance culture amongst the team and across the organization, working to continuously improve processes and systems that support the network.
• Strengthen professional learning and growth opportunities for the team through precise, differentiated learning aligned with achievement goals.
• Create the conditions for staff to collaborate, seek support, feel valued, and be empowered to demonstrate their best work on behalf of the students they serve.
• Work closely with regional leaders and finance teams to ensure that budget allocations support the delivery of high-quality education and enable school operations to run smoothly.

Foster strong relationships rooted in transparency, integrity, and clarity (20%)

• Advise and collaborate with the CEO and the Board, communicating on key initiatives and issues in the network, and providing leadership to enable the Board to govern effectively.
• Expand trust, partnership, and connection with the AF community by learning what matters to our students, families, and communities to inform key decisions and enhance learning.
• Serve as a key connector between Network Support and the schools to ensure coherence and clarity and to enable two-way communication, collaboration, and feedback.
• Maintain strong and productive relationships with authorizers, local and state leaders, and community partners to amplify coherence, build shared understanding, and promote consistent communication.

Requirements

Key Competencies and Skills

Visionary Instructional Leadership

• Deep knowledge of evidence-based instructional practices and interventions with diverse learners, including demonstrated practice for improving student learning.
• Drive the academic vision and implement cohesive, integrated K-12 academic programming across all schools in service of our graduate aims.
• Commit to continuous inquiry and improvement, and be able to communicate results and next steps honestly and collaboratively.
• Accurately assess team and individuals' skills, identify development needs, and provide feedback and support to improve practice, build capacity, and maximize talent.
• Demonstrate integrity while fostering collaboration among teams, departments, and key stakeholders.

Student-Centered, Data-Driven Decision Making and Problem Solving

• Exhibit outstanding critical thinking skills, including the ability to analyze data, identify trends, pinpoint problems and root causes, ask probing questions, and develop innovative solutions.
• Possess a deep understanding of and ability to execute on systems-level operations, management, and organizational design in order to deliver desired outcomes.
• Analyze the conditions for change and articulate the vision for change to inspire and create ownership, buy-in, and accountability.
• Comfort navigating uncertainty and effectively managing complex challenges as they occur; able to balance urgency with the ability to bring others along towards solutions.
• Exhibit a strong focus on goals, accountability, and results; set clear metrics for success.
• Prioritize the most urgent decisions and willingly make difficult decisions - and say no - when necessary in the best interest of the organization as a whole.

Team Leadership and Management

• Builds, inspires, manages, and coaches an effective team to achieve ambitious goals aligned with the strategic plan.
• Accurately assess team and individuals' skills, identify development needs, and provide feedback and support to improve practice, build capacity, and maximize talent.
• Holds self and others accountable for high standards of performance, communication, collaboration, and transparency toward the achievement of key goals and priorities.

Authentic Communication and Coalition Building

• Cultivate trust among board members, network and regional leaders, teachers, staff, and core stakeholders to ensure alignment on AF's vision, mission, and strategic priorities.
• Maintain consistent visibility and accessibility in each region.
• Communicate effectively, tailoring messages for each audience, context, and mode of communication.
• Push back thoughtfully when needed to avoid distraction from core priorities and goals in the best interest of student success.
• Recognize race, class, and power dynamics playing out within the organization at all levels and interrupt those inequities through honest and difficult conversations and actions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 8-10 years of senior management experience in large K-12 public school organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to Achievement First's vision and mission and the pursuit of equity and excellence for all students.
• A track record of implementation of high-quality instructional service delivery at scale, with a vision for academic excellence and understanding of how to execute that vision across all of AF's schools.
• Holds or is on a pathway to hold district level certification in NY, CT, RI or in a state with reciprocity.
• Demonstrated success in leading systems-wide turnaround and school design.
• Knowledge of public school policy and law, procedures, and management.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

Location and Travel

Candidates must reside in NY, CT, or RI or be willing to relocate. The candidate must be able to travel frequently between regions. Travel estimate is up to 35%.

Benefits

Achievement First sets salaries through a lens of equity based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role. The salary range for this key leadership position is competitive and set at $297,000. In addition, all regular full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, which includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match, and paid family leave.

Achievement First is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from diverse candidates. Achievement First does not discriminate in any aspect of employment on the basis of race, color, ancestry or national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age.