Job Description Job Title Position Title: Executive Director, Student Data and Accountability Location: Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202 Salary: $125,652 - $169,357 Reports to: Assistant Superintendent, Strategy, Data, and Accountability Bargaining Unit: N/A Benefits Eligible: Yes Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week) Position Summary: The Executive Director of Student Data and Accountability is a visionary leader responsible for overseeing three critical departments: Student Information Services, Assessments, and Performance Management. This division ensures that the District maintains accurate, high-quality, and timely data about student outcomes while supporting effective assessment practices and performance evaluation systems. As a significant member of the Strategy, Data, and Accountability team, the Executive Director provides strategic direction and management oversight to ensure:
- Effective administration of student information systems and data management
- Comprehensive delivery of state and local assessment programs
- Implementation of teacher, leader, and staff evaluation systems
- Collection and analysis of stakeholder feedback for continuous improvement
The Executive Director manages the integration of these three departments to create cohesive systems and processes that support school improvement, improve instructional effectiveness, and drive student achievement. Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, or an equivalent higher education agency required. Master's degree preferred.
We are looking for talented people who are passionate about transforming the District and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees. The ideal candidate will have most or all the following professional experiences and competencies: Essential Experiences and Competencies
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in K-12 education administration or related field
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing multiple teams, or equivalent experience successfully leading cross-departmental projects and initiatives
- Strong understanding of student information systems, assessment program requirements, and/or performance management practices
- Experience implementing data quality standards and practices across multiple workstreams
- Proven ability to solve complex organizational challenges through data-driven decision making
- Strong project management skills with experience leading cross-functional initiatives
- Excellent communication, coaching, and mentoring schools with previous experience as a collaborative leader
- Skilled at managing relationships across multiple teams and departments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in an urban school district setting
- Knowledge of Michigan education data systems and reporting requirements
- Familiarity with state assessment programs and accountability measures
- Experience with teacher and administrator evaluation systems
- Understanding of FERPA and data privacy requirements
Essential Functions:
- Provide strategic leadership to the Student Information Services, Assessment, and Performance Management departments, establishing a coherent strategy including aligned objectives, key results, and projects across each major area of responsibility.
- Maintain perspective and a nuanced understanding of the departments' work in light of the District's strategic context; support team to resolve complex obstacles to success, including changes in policy, across the District's student information systems, assessment programs, and performance management work.
- Use deep understanding of District and departmental objectives, as well as Board policy, to clarify team's direction and prioritize responsibilities and tasks; anticipate challenges in advance and help organize efforts to tackle roadblocks; adapt work to account for evolving or shifting contexts without sacrificing goals.
- Build an inclusive and effective management team; provide feedback on staff members' progress and performance, cultivating and coaching department directors and their teams to achieve ambitious goals.
- Set clear expectations and a vision for success that allow others to understand their role in achieving objectives and delivering high quality work; implement clear systems to monitor the progress of projects or services and revise approach when work is off track.
- Collaborate with senior leaders across Offices on shared projects and initiatives to ensure staff across teams have clear direction for their work; proactively identify and propose solutions to emerging issues and adjust departmental approaches based on changes in direction, priorities, and resources.
- Lead the development and management of department budgets to achieve desired results while maximizing resources for students and attending to the district's financial responsibility to the community.
- Keep informed about external innovations, education policy, and research and advise the Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, Data, and Accountability on proposed legislation, policies, and procedures that affect student information systems, assessment programs, and performance management.
- Establish and maintain effective structures for stakeholder engagement to determine opportunities for improvement; research specific issues and develop detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve challenges across all three departments.
- Demonstrate an effective approach to team-building, including clarity of purpose and shared responsibility; value, solicit, and integrate team members' different perspectives effectively.
- Direct the implementation and continuous improvement of district-wide student information systems, assessment programs, and staff evaluation processes while ensuring integration and alignment between these key functions.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting of student data and assessment results to state and federal agencies while maintaining compliance with all privacy requirements and district policies.
- Build school-level capacity for effective data use, assessment administration, and performance management through comprehensive training systems and support resources.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, Data, and Accountability.
Security Clearance: Internal Applicants If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check. External Applicants In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire. Method of Application: Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered. Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested. Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) ###-####. DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions opportunities. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) ###-#### or detroitk12.org/compliance.