Managing Director, Instructional Support - Texas

Position Description:

As the Managing Director, Instructional Support for our expansion into Texas, your primary responsibility is to improve instruction and student learning in our partner systems in Texas. During our launch year, you will serve as the organization’s lead learner in adapting our strategies and tools to align to the Texas context, and you will work directly with a portfolio of school system partners to design and support their instructional improvement plans.  In later years, you will build and manage multiple teams working with a larger portfolio of school system partners. Because you will be close to the work and an expert in system support, you are able to keep a close eye on what schools and systems need and the larger problems we're seeing in the field. You will leverage this perspective to inform our larger organizational work including providing recommendations and feedback on tool and resource development in partnership with the Program team. You will also play a critical role in ensuring continued work with our current partners and expanding our work with new partners in Texas and potentially in an additional state over time.

During the launch year in Texas, you will manage 2-3 Directors of Instructional Support (DISes) and their teams of content leads (with a full team of up to 6-10) to ensure high quality program delivery that leads to improved instruction and accelerated student learning in our partner systems.  You will also work in close collaboration with our Program team on designing and refining tools and recommendations for our work with partners in Texas.

Responsibilities:

Staff and program delivery management

• Manage and coach DISes, and through them their content leads in Math and ELA.
• Supervise and coach each DIS as she/he leads our work with partners, including on-site supervision and participation to ensure quality.
• Provide feedback and coaching on all aspects of partner service-delivery including system action plans and maximizing check-ins.
• Maintain direct relationship with the senior instructional leader (such as the superintendent or Chief Academic Officer) for larger system partners and advise on instructional improvement strategies in partnership with the DIS
• Manage the team to provide content-specific support to system partners, including supporting assignment and staff growth
• Support full-time staff prospect identification and cultivation as well as leading DIS selection, hiring, and onboarding for your team
• Manage partner contracts and deliverables to achieve partner goals based on instruction and student achievement

Business Development

• Work closely with the Engagement team and the Executive Director to identify and vet potential new partners in each state in your region and play a central role in closing contracts and kicking off the relationship
• Support DISes in contract renewal conversations with current partners and conduct renewal conversations with own portfolio of partners
• Work with the Executive Director to develop an annual vision for growth and impact for each of your states to support business development and fundraising for the region
• Conduct regional presentations and training sessions for potential new partners and develop/maintain relationships with state educational agencies, regional superintendent associations, and other key influencers in each state in your region

Direct partner support

• Work directly with 1-2 district partners to establish and accomplish action plans that lead to improved instruction and student learning
• Check-in regularly with school system partners on progress and provide resources and recommendations as needed
• Manage partner contracts and deliverables to achieve partner goals based on instruction and student achievement
• Lead partner meetings within a market and organize any group meetings (i.e. School Year Kick off or problem of practice work)

Program Design and Innovation

• During the launch year, research key levers for instructional improvement in the Texas context – related to Texas standards, assessments, curricula, and policies – and work with the Program team to adapt Instructional Partners’ existing tools and strategies to align to the needs of Texas partners
• Serve as our internal expert on instructional improvement strategies in Texas, supporting not only your own teams that you manage but also any Texas-focused work with charter schools and autonomous schools/zones in large cities
• Support development of vision, strategy, and services for our partnership work
• Work with the Program team to refine and develop practical tools and systems for internal staff members to support partnership work (such as protocols, training materials, etc)
• Lead and support continuous reflection across teams to determine what is working, not working, and determine solutions moving forward.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of educational experience and 5+ years of system-level instructional leadership
• Experience leading instructional improvement at the school level and for a charter system and/or district, with a track record of improving student achievement; experience leading instructional improvement in Texas strongly preferred
• Excellent project management and operational leadership skills and experience with large-scale program delivery projects
• Convincing public speaking and facilitation that engages and inspires; ability to articulate inspiring educational vision that leads others to follow
• Quick ability to understand the assets, needs and personalities of a school system in order to help develop plans that will work for their context
• Strong instructional instincts and experience across content domains
• Strong management skills and experience developing team members, including those managing others
• Great communication skills verbally and in writing, with an ability to develop quick rapport and build trust
• Data driven orientation and a commitment to whatever works best rather than attachment to particular theories or ideologies
• Versatility and a total learner mentality: comfort learning about new content areas and approaches to work
• Willingness and ability to travel 40-50% of time each month, depending on the location of assigned regions for management and business development

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring

At Instruction Partners, we know that difference enhances, transforms and strengthens our ability to serve students and schools. We invite and celebrate diversity of all perspectives, and we are deeply committed to ensuring equitable access and voice throughout our organization. Instruction Partners is proudly an equal opportunity workplace, and we value the inclusion of persons who have experienced poverty and/or for whom English is not their first language, and every race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, culture, ancestry, religion, national orientation, age, marital status or Veteran status. Join us, and let's work together to support great teaching and accelerate learning for every student.

Compensation:

The starting salary range for this role is $120,000-$148,000, depending on experience. Detailed information about the organizational compensation philosophy is available upon application. Competitive benefits and private retirement investment options are available, as well as a generous vacation policy.

Who We Are:

At Instruction Partners, we are a team of educators obsessed with instructional excellence. We dig deep into the often overlooked practical actions that power progress to learn what works, and translate it into support for schools and educators. We believe we can get better faster, together, and make every classroom a place of great learning that prepares students for successful, rewarding lives.

What We Do:

We work shoulder to shoulder with schools and educators to improve the quality of instruction in core academics. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions or push particular programs. Instead, we get into classrooms together and work through a collaborative process, with a singular focus of improving student outcomes. We work in two ways: we partner with schools and districts to support academic growth, and we provide deep-dive professional development for educators.

Our Core Values:

We are optimists: We believe that every student can succeed and that educators, with the right supports, can lead them to success. We aren’t scared of challenges, but have the courage and sense of possibility to overcome obstacles while holding high expectations and maintaining a sense of possibility for students, educators, and ourselves.

We are learners: We know there are always ways to improve. We believe our long-term success is a result of how well we learn. We seek to understand the best of what is known, we reflect on successes and challenges and we always look for ways we can grow.

We are big-hearted: We care deeply about each other and our work, and we know we can accomplish more together than alone. At all times, we communicate with kindness and empathy. We value diverse perspectives and honor individuality. We operate with no egos.

We are relentless: We pursue excellence by setting ambitious goals, working hard to overcome obstacles and boldly trying new things to ensure each student learns at a high level.

We are practical: We believe support should be thoughtful by meeting people, schools, and districts where they are. We look for ways to work smart, focus on the most relevant impact, and reduce friction to make it easier to take action.

We are direct: We honor each other by being honest, even when it is difficult.  We are straightforward about what we know and what we do not. Our respectful directness allows us to align our relationships and conversations toward our shared goals.