Career Center

The Board of Directors of IDEA Public Schools seeks a proven executive leader who is committed to our mission and embodies our core values. The Superintendent/CEO will quickly and accurately identify the key elements that have contributed to the success of IDEA Public Schools and build on those strengths, while evolving and adapting to a changing educational landscape across diverse communities and in multiple regions and states. 

Characteristics of Superintendent/CEO:

Outstanding candidates for this role will possess the following characteristics:

• Visionary leadership that can invest internal and external stakeholders in our mission of college for all.
• Ability to sustain and foster a strong organizational culture and alignment across all of our 10,000 employees.
• Experience leading large and complex organizations with diverse operational and regulatory environments.
• Ability to develop strategy, align resources, implement plans with fidelity, assess progress, and address gaps to achieve strong and consistently high results across all functional areas.
• An unwavering commitment to upholding and fulfilling all fiduciary responsibilities with integrity.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Impeccable credibility and ability to create and maintain strong relationships built on trust and transparency with staff, students, families, funders, and public officials.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Embrace accountability for the success of every IDEA student.
• Effectively and prudently manage a $1 billion budget and direct academic, operational, and institutional priorities of our organization.
• Work strategically with an engaged and effective Board and guide IDEA’s evolution and continuous innovation and improvement.
• Understand all aspects of the academic, operational, and financial functions of the organization and regularly evaluate their impact on our organizational goals.
• Demonstrate skill in anticipating, managing, and resolving conflict.
• Promote goal-oriented performance across all teams.
• Ensure IDEA has the human capital necessary to carry out all school and organizational functions effectively and within budget across all regions and states.
• Promote a positive work environment that fosters high staff morale and excellence.
• Implement Board policy and develop administrative procedures and regulations to manage school operations. Recommend policy updates and adoptions to the Board.
• Remain informed of developments in local, state, and federal laws and policies and ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Ensure all school facilities are properly maintained and that adequate provision is made for the safety of students, employees, and other users of school facilities.
• Communicate with legal counsel on litigation and compliance matters  as  directed by the Board.

The Superintendent/CEO must currently live in or be willing to relocate to one of the following Texas regions:  Austin, San Antonio, or Rio Grande Valley preferred (other major Texas regions may be considered).  Additionally, the Superintendent/CEO should expect regular travel to IDEA’s other regions of operation in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Ohio and Arkansas. 

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in business, management, educational administration preferred. (MBA, JD or exit level degree in other fields also considered)
• Texas (or other state) superintendent certificate, other appropriate certification preferred, or demonstrated executive experience may be substituted.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of school law, school finance, curriculum and instruction, or school rating/accountability systems. For non-educator applicants, demonstrated knowledge of compliance and complex regulatory environments, connections with education and non-profit sector work may substitute.
• Ability to manage budget and personnel.
• Ability to cultivate a safe, collaborative, inclusive and empowering culture and climate.
• An established understanding and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to interpret policy, procedures, and data.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.