ORGANIZATION

Leaders In Our Neighborhood (LION) Charter School is the only K-12 college-preparatory school serving students and families in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Over 90% of LION’s students graduate from high school, preparing them for college and life. LION Charter School’s mission is to develop the character of each student. LION unites students, families, and teachers in helping each individual achieve their best academically and in sports, the arts, and service to the community. LION believes that passion for learning, self-discovery, leadership, and a social conscience is the foundation for college success and fulfillment in life.

LION maintains a student-centered culture. Their goal is to prepare students for college and beyond. They believe that to provide the best possible education for their young leaders, faculty and staff must also engage in a continuous growth process. Given their exceptional culture and results, working at LION is a unique and rewarding experience.

To learn more about LION Charter School, please visit https://lioncharterschool.org/.

OPPORTUNITY

The Elementary School Director works alongside the Elementary School Leadership Team and serves as the elementary school's instructional leader and chief administrator. They are responsible for planning, directing, and supervising the entire elementary school program, ensuring all students learn to their potential. The Elementary School Director implements and manages LION’s policies, regulations, and procedures. Achieving academic excellence requires that the Elementary School Director works collaboratively to lead and nurture all school staff members and to communicate effectively with parents, members of the community, and colleagues. This is an excellent opportunity for a systems-oriented school leader with a track record of driving student achievement at the elementary level.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities of the Elementary School Director include:

Academic and Instructional Leadership

• Implement a high-quality, rigorous, college-preparatory program that is consistent with LION’s mission and vision
• Set ambitious school goals for student achievement and performance; hold staff members accountable for achieving results
• Use data to inform practice and drive decision-making and instruction at the school
• Provide leadership and share responsibility for the development and implementation of staff in-service programs
• Develop, maintain, evaluate, implement, and enhance curricular and extracurricular programs that reflect student achievement and growth
• Participate in building decision-making, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and curricular/instructional implementation for school improvement.

Team and Talent Leadership

• Hire, lead, and manage a dynamic staff to build character and deliver exceptional results for all students
• Develop an effective team committed to achieving excellence
• Promote a culture of continuously improving teaching practice through professional development, collaboration, modeling, and collaborative planning among the staff
• Supervise and evaluate staff performance

Community Engagement

• Build relationships with all stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, and the community
• Oversee LION’s Family Engagement Department and all Elementary School family events, including but not limited to Parent Discovery Nights, Family Days, Retreats, Parent Teacher Conferences, and Academic Nights

School Culture and Climate

• Foster a safe, just, and welcoming school climate that supports both student and staff success and promotes LION’s principles and pillars
• Support the Student Support Team to address student behavior and oversee all disciplinary actions
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to align character and academic programs and respond to school culture concerns

Organizational Leadership

• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations
• Interpret, enforce, and develop regulations that are in agreement with Board policies, the school handbook, and state and federal law
• See that facilities are operated effectively and efficiently and meet applicable health and safety standards
• Develop long and short-term strategic plans through a systematic process
• Develop strategic plan initiatives and establish budget priorities in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team

Requirements

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the ideal Elementary School Director candidate will bring:

• A Master’s Degree (required)
• A minimum of 5 years of instructional experience with demonstrated exemplary results
• Leadership experience in an economically marginalized school with demonstrated exemplary results
• Demonstrated success at driving student achievement (required), and a New York administrator certificate (preferred)
• A deep commitment to family-based character education and a deep passion for social justice and equity for all children; the belief that all students can achieve at the highest levels
• An understanding of and extensive experience with data-driven and standards-based instruction
• A successful background in training teachers and developing professional development plans
• The ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness
• The ability to build successful partnerships with students, staff, parents, and the community
• Experience in developing and managing high-performing teams
• Knowledge in the selection, training, and supervision of personnel
• The ability to use resources effectively and manage the school budget
• Proven strategic thinking and proactive problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $180,000, and robust benefits, including paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts. Additionally, LION offers short and long-term disability and a 403b retirement plan with a 5% match. For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Nora Maligmat at nmaligmat@edgilityconsulting.com.

LION Charter School is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required. #LI-NM1