Location: Denver,CO, USA
About 5280 High School: 5280 High School is a unique project-based learning environment dedicated to supporting students affected by substance use in their recovery. Our mission is to empower students through authentic academic experiences and a culture of holistic wellness embedded in a strong diverse community. 5280 High School prepares all students for success in college, their future career, and anything life throws at them. We accomplish this through a personalized education, fostering resilience and promoting a positive future. We believe in the transformative power of education and community support in overcoming challenges related to substance use in the journey to recovery.
Position Overview: The Executive Director (ED)/CEO will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for 5280 High School. The ED will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the school's operations, including fundraising, relationship development, governance, grant writing, and staff leadership. This role demands a passionate advocate for youth in recovery, committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and innovative learning environment.
Reporting directly to the 5280 High School Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED)/CEO serves as the highest administrator at 5280 High School. The ED/CEO is cumulatively responsible for all aspects of organizational health, including but not limited to enacting the school's vision/mission; overseeing the realization of the high school's goals and outcomes; meeting the school's fundraising and other financial goals; maintaining CDE accreditation; guiding the school's professional culture; being accountable to the school's authorizer; and managing finances, development, and human resources. The ED/CEO is ultimately responsible for the execution of all programs and procedures in alignment with the school's mission and vision, with input from a broad range of constituents.
Key Responsibilities:
OVERALL LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES: As the chief executive of 5280 High School, many of the ED/CEO's responsibilities are cumulative and involve organization-wide leadership.
· Enacting Mission and Vision: Maintain alignment between all programs and the overall vision, mission, and core values of 5280 High School.
· Organizational Leadership: Work with the School Director and other staff to develop, maintain, and enhance all aspects of 5280 High School to ensure positive outcomes for students and a strong, collaborative professional culture. Supervises direct report in a manner that promotes success, efficiency, and on-going development. This includes effective delegation; training, development, and support of staff; establishing performance requirements; and evaluating staff supervised.
· Strategic Planning and Implementation: Consistently plan for efforts to achieve the strategic outcomes of all aspects of organizational health and growth, including but not limited to academics, child development, health and wellness, support services, organizational stability, and financial strength. Maintain alignment between the school's mission/vision and the policies and strategic direction of 5280 High Schools Board of Directors.
· Board Work: Report to the board and maintain a positive, working relationship with the Board. It is incumbent upon the ED/CEO to keep the Board informed of all financial and legal matters, and to work with board members on the various committees. The ED/CEO is expected to attend all committee meetings, within reason, and to share updates on the school and bring back recommendations from the committees to be implemented in practice.
INTERNAL MANAGEMENT: The core elements of internal management are those key pieces that flow naturally from our mission and are the central, measurable things 5280 High School will do to see our vision become a reality. The ED/CEO is responsible for:
Strategic Leadership:
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan that aligns with the school's mission and vision.
Ensure effective execution of the school's educational programs and recovery support services.
Identify and pursue diverse funding sources, including grants, donations, and corporate sponsorships.
Lead fundraising initiatives and campaigns to support the school's operational and programmatic needs.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors and funding organizations.
Collaborate with the Board of Directors to set policies, goals, and strategic direction.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as accreditation standards.
Prepare and present regular reports to the Board on school performance, financial status, and strategic initiatives.
Build and maintain strong relationships with community stakeholders, including local organizations, schools, and health services.
Represent the school at community events, conferences, and other networking opportunities.
Lead the development and submission of grant proposals, ensuring alignment with the school's goals.
Oversee grant compliance, reporting, and evaluation processes to meet funder requirements.
Recruit, train, and mentor staff to foster a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide ongoing professional development opportunities.
Promote a positive, inclusive school culture that supports both staff and students.
Manage the day-to-day operations of the school, including budgeting, staffing, and resource allocation.
Ensure the effective use of technology and resources to enhance the educational experience.
Monitor and assess program outcomes, using data to drive continuous improvement.
Advocate for policies and practices that benefit students in recovery and address substance abuse issues.
Stay informed about trends and best practices in education, substance use recovery, and project-based learning.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS: The ED/CEO is the most externally facing employee of the school and much of the role is building and maintaining positive working relationships with external partners.
· Development Work: Ensure the financial health and longevity of the school by cultivating relationships with foundations, corporations, and individuals who provide financial support to the school. Ensure that the school meets its short- and long-term fundraising goals.
· Community Outreach and Partnerships: Be the face of the school to the external community. Although the ED/CEO may not be the primary point person for every relationship, the ED/CEO must be aware of, connected to, and nurturing relationships with all organizations Community outreach may also include advocacy at the local and state policy level.
· Authorizer Relationship: Maintain a strong relationship with the school's authorizer, currently the Denver Public Schools. Funding and external assessments go through DPS and it is essential that the ED/CEO maintains a positive, working relationship with the authorizer.
· External Communication: Implement quality, timely, and effective communications from 5280 High School leadership to key partners, the community at large, and other critical stakeholders.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Education, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in educational leadership, nonprofit management, or a related field.
Proven track record in fundraising, grant writing, and relationship development.
Strong understanding of substance abuse issues and the recovery processes.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including students, families, and community partners.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with a focus on strategic thinking and execution.
Experience working in an entrepreneurial, dynamic school or similarly demanding environment.