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Job Description
Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations
Norfolk Public School District
ADMINISTRATIVE
- Norfolk, Virginia This job is also posted in Norfolk Public Schools
Job Details
Job ID:
5800375
Application Deadline:
Jul 24, 2026 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Posted:
Yesterday
Starting Date:
To Be Determined
Job Description
Full-Time and Permanent; 7.5 Hours/Day; 252 Days/Year; 12 Months/Year
DEFINITION
The incumbent in this single-position class serves as the senior executive responsible for the strategic leadership, coordination, integration, and continuous improvement of all academic operations and instructional support services across Norfolk Public Schools. The position provides executive oversight for Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, Early Learning, Title Programs and Federal Grants, Instructional Technology, English Learner Services, Student Support Services, and Assessment, Research, and Accountability.
The work involves developing and implementing a comprehensive vision for teaching and learning; ensuring alignment among academic programs, services, and resources; monitoring organizational performance and student outcomes; and directing continuous improvement efforts designed to increase student achievement, educational equity, operational effectiveness, and college, career, and life readiness for all students.
The incumbent fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, service, and continuous improvement, ensuring that all departments within Academic Operations work collectively to support schools and improve outcomes for every student. The Senior Executive Director of Academic Operations ensures that all academic and student support departments function as an integrated system of support for schools, empowering principals and educators to deliver high-quality learning experiences and improved outcomes for every student.
The incumbent participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of Norfolk Public Schools' strategic priorities and serves as a senior member of the Superintendent's Cabinet.
SUPERVISION
Executive-level duties are performed under the general direction of the Deputy Superintendent of Schools. Work is reviewed primarily for effectiveness in achieving division goals and objectives, improving student outcomes, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements, and advancing the strategic priorities of Norfolk Public Schools.
Supervision is exercised through subordinate executive directors, senior directors, directors, coordinators, and other professional staff responsible for a broad range of instructional, support, accountability, and compliance functions.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single-position class with division-wide responsibility for the leadership, coordination, and performance of all academic operations, instructional support services, accountability functions, and specialized educational programs.
The incumbent serves as the primary executive leader responsible for ensuring coherence, effectiveness, and alignment among all academic departments and support functions that directly impact student achievement and school performance.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE CLASS
(may not include all duties performed).
Provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all academic operations and instructional support services throughout the school division.
Directs the work of Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Career and Technical Education, Adult Education, Early Learning, Title Programs and Federal Grants, Instructional Technology, English Learner Services, Student Support Services, and Assessment, Research, and Accountability.
Serves as a strategic partner to principals and school leadership teams by ensuring that academic departments provide coordinated, responsive, and differentiated support designed to improve teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
Collaborates closely with the Deputy Superintendent and school leadership teams to align academic resources, services, interventions, and improvement strategies with identified school needs and division priorities.
Establishes and maintains systems that promote collaboration, shared accountability, and continuous improvement across all departments within Academic Operations.
Ensures that academic departments operate as service-oriented partners to schools by providing timely support, technical assistance, professional learning, and problem-solving resources.
Leads efforts to identify and eliminate systemic barriers to student achievement by coordinating the work of instructional, specialized, and support programs across the division.
Oversees implementation and monitoring of federal, state, and local requirements related to instructional programs, special populations, accountability systems, grants management, and educational compliance.
Directs the collection, analysis, interpretation, and use of student achievement, programmatic, operational, and organizational data to inform decision-making and improve outcomes.
Ensures effective stewardship of financial, personnel, and material resources across all assigned departments and programs.
Supervises and evaluates assigned executive directors, senior directors, and other personnel.
Attends and participates in School Board meetings and prepares reports and recommendations as requested.
Performs related work as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Comprehensive knowledge of curriculum development, instructional leadership, assessment systems, educational accountability, school improvement, and organizational effectiveness.
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing public education, special education, federal programs, assessment, accountability, and student support services.
Ability to provide executive leadership and manage complex organizational systems through subordinate administrators.
Ability to establish a vision, develop strategic priorities, and direct the implementation of large-scale initiatives.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, families, community stakeholders, government officials, and external partners.
Excellent leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Master's degree in Educational Leadership, School Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Doctorate preferred.
Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible educational leadership experience, including successful experience as a principal, executive director, chief academic officer, assistant superintendent, or comparable central office leadership position.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Postgraduate Professional License with endorsements in Administration and Supervision and applicable teaching endorsements required.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Work requires normal physical attributes associated with working in an office and school environment.
HAZARDS
Work involves exposure to normal, everyday risks associated with educational and office environments.
UNUSUAL DEMANDS
Work is performed in school and office settings and requires attendance at regularly scheduled evening and weekend meetings, community events, and other activities as necessary.
