EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY

OVERVIEW: University Heights Charter School of Excellence [UHCS] seeks an accomplished, tireless, mission-driven EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR to inspire and lead the administrative, instructional and support services staff to fulfill our mission to develop in each child the character, scholarship, and leadership necessary for success in life, college, and community. Now serving 650 students in grades PK-8 with a $10M budget, UHCS is an independent Charter School at a key inflection point in its development. It seeks to achieve full financial ownership of its new upper school facility [opened in September 2014], and is also considering options for growth, which may include building additional PK-8 facilities, adding a high school, and/or deepening programs in areas such as social and mental health services, digital learning, and the arts – either independently or in cooperation with other Charter Schools. The ideal candidate will have the skills, experience, and disposition to work with the Board of Trustees in determining which strategic growth options to pursue, and then will work relentlessly to achieve them. As the school grows, he/she will have the opportunity to expand the current leadership team of two principals, development director, and school business administrator to meet deeper needs for shared services in academics, support services, technology, and operations. RESPONSIBILITIES: Strategic and Executive Leadership

1. Provides leadership in identification of strategic priorities and assures that all activities reflect those board- established priorities.

2. Prepares and recommends short- and long-range plans for board approval and implements those plans when approved.

3. Attends all regular and special meetings of the board, and participates in a professional leadership role. Designates an administrative staff member to serve in his/her absence, when appropriate.

4. Recommends drafts of new administrative, instructional, or operational policies or changes to the board as needed, and establishes guidelines and processes for monitoring their implementation.

5. Prepares, in conjunction with the board, agenda items relative to all matters requiring board action, including all facts, information, options and reports needed to assure informed decisions. Provides advice and counsel to the board on

matters before it. 6. Anticipates and keeps board updated on potential problems that necessitate Board

notification or action; recommends policies or courses of staff action as appropriate.

7. Keeps board informed regarding development in other schools or at local, state and national levels that would be helpful to the school.

8. Fulfills all statutory obligations and implements the education law of the State of New Jersey and the administrative code of the New Jersey Department of Education.

Instructional Leadership 1. Maintains the quality of educational programs and services to students and

improves programs and services where necessary. 2. Studies and reviews with staff, all curriculum guides and courses of study on a

continuing basis. Recommends, for board adoption, curricula, courses, textbooks and time schedules.

3. Encourages staff to develop programs, services and projects that reflect instructional diversity, alternatives and flexibility, while assuring an articulated, consistent education for all students.

4. Provides for an annual assessment of student needs and achievement. Initiates program changes in light of this assessment.

5. Develops guidelines and direction for monitoring the effectiveness of existing and new programs.

6. Ensures that the goals of the school system are adequately reflected in its educational program.

Personnel Administration 1. Directs and supervises the administrative staff and through them all school staff. 2. Provides a role model as well as direction and supervision to administrative staff

in the development and implementation of sound personnel practices. 3. Develops recruitment procedures to assure well-qualified applicants for

professional and nonprofessional positions. Participates in final candidate interviews, as appropriate, and recommends appointments of all certified staff to the board.

4. Provides direction and serves as resource for management representatives in negotiating with employee bargaining units. Supervises administration of collective bargaining agreements.

5. Ensures that all staff is evaluated annually in accordance with established procedures. Recommends professional employees for contract renewal and/or tenure appointment.

Financial and Operational Management 1. Provides direction to and supervision of school business functions. Encourages

development and implementation of sound business practices. 2. Initiates and supervises development of the annual budget in accordance with

established goals and objectives. Provides for staff input. Recommends budget and budget priorities for board approval.

3. Ensures that the school has long-range financial and facility improvement plans. Updates and implements plans annually.

4. Oversees school facility management to provide safe, efficient and attractive buildings, with strong emphasis on preventative maintenance and custodial care.

5. Searches continuously for alternatives in business management practices to achieve economics.

6. Ensures funds are spent prudently by providing adequate control and accounting of the school’s financial and physical resources.

7. Acts as charter school “Lead Person” and oversees all compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

8. Works with development Director in conducting fundraising; serves as public “face” of school in fundraising and development outreach.

9. Develops and maintains a master schedule for the academic, extracurricular programs, and works to schedule community use of the school building and grounds.

10. Plans and supervises fire and other emergency drills as required by law and board policy.

School/Community Relations

1. Communicates with families by interpreting programs and services, and reporting plans, events and activities of interest.

2. Maintains contact and good relations with local media. 3. Ensures that school interest will be represented in meetings and activities of

municipal and other governmental agencies. 4. Creates opportunities for families to express their view regarding school-related

matters. 5. Represents the school and its interest in community organization, activities and

projects. 6. Attends special school-sponsored activities and functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Valid School Administrator Certificate [preferred, but not required] 2. Training and experience equivalent to a Master's Degree in education or

management. 3. Expertise in curriculum, staffing and school finance.

4. Outstanding leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. 5. Demonstrated skill in fundraising and program development. 6. Strong commitment to youth and ability to work effectively with staff. 7. Successful in creating collaborative relationships or coalitions. 8. Experience negotiating and working with community based organizations and

public agencies. 9. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 10. Committed to school design and philosophy. 11. Required criminal history background check, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal

resident status & NJ residency.

ABOUT UHCS: Founded in 2006, UHCS is a free public charter school founded in Newark, New Jersey. The school’s mission is to develop in each child the character, scholarship, and leadership necessary for success in life, college, and community. Our historically underserved student population is over 85% low income and 100% minority. Our strategy to achieve this mission is based on a theory of change guided by six core beliefs:

• All students can achieve high levels of character, scholarship, and leadership. • Effective instruction is the single greatest factor in increasing student

achievement. • Great educators are the key to effective instruction. • Strong school culture makes effective instruction possible. • Data-driven decision-making improves instruction effectiveness. • Partnerships with parents and community reinforce student learning and

achievement.

Implementing activities based on these principles, the school has made strong student achievement gains on statewide assessments. UHCS performance now outpaces district-wide proficiency rates and is gaining ground on statewide proficiency rates. The school has been recognized nationally with the prestigious EPIC Silver-Gain award for this achievement. The recently released New Jersey Department of Education School Performance Report for 2013-2014 indicates UHCS outperformed over 70% of schools with a similar demographic profile. It also notes the school met 100% of state-set student academic growth targets last year. At the same time, UHCS has grown its enrollment over 300%, from 200 students in grades K-4 to 650 students in grades P-8. As a result of this strong performance, the NJ Department of Education renewed the school’s charter for a second time in 2015 through 2020.

The centerpiece of our strategy to-date has been the development of a second facility to house the growing enrollment and new initiatives described above. Our new 34,000-square-foot Upper School building consists of a renovated former button factory that opened in October 2013 as well as a brand new building, which opened in September 2014.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an exemplary educator and school leader. There will be a highly competitive and significant compensatory and benefit package commensurate with qualifications and experience and designed to attract outstanding and accomplished candidates. Qualified candidates interested in this opportunity are invited to submit a resume by attachment and in WORD or PDF to:

BARRY ROWLAND

Senior Search Consultant E-mail: barry.rowland@carneysandoe.com

Tel: 416-656-6415