Deputy Chief of Academics Special Projects

JOB SUMMARY

The Deputy Chief of Academics Projects will lead high-priority leadership initiatives within the Office of Academics. This role is pivotal in shaping academic strategies, enhancing support systems for divisions and campuses, and ensuring streamlined progress monitoring tools to drive student success. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership skills, capable of identifying and addressing critical academic issues to advance the district’s mission of improving student outcomes. This role reports to the Chief Academic Officer.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Lead High-Priority Leadership Projects:
•    Oversee and execute key academic initiatives that align with the district’s   strategic vision.
•    Collaborate with senior leadership to design and implement innovative educational strategies.
•    Manage project timelines, resources, and stakeholder engagement to ensure successful execution.
2.    Enhance Support for Divisions and Campuses:
•    Strengthen systems that provide academic and operational support to schools and departments.
•    Facilitate collaboration among divisions to improve instructional effectiveness and student achievement.
•    Develop and implement programs that address campus-specific needs and challenges.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

3.    Streamline Progress Monitoring Tools:
•    Evaluate and refine academic progress tracking systems across the Office of Academics.
•    Introduce data-driven methodologies that enhance transparency and efficiency in monitoring student growth.
•    Ensure stakeholders have access to comprehensive reports that inform decision-making.
4.    Identify and Address Critical Issues:
•    Conduct data analysis and research to pinpoint challenges affecting student outcomes.
•    Develop strategic action plans to mitigate barriers to academic success.
•    Work closely with key partners to implement interventions and policy improvements
5.    Drive Continuous Improvement in Academic Initiatives:
•    Lead efforts to assess and refine existing academic strategies and frameworks.
•    Promote a culture of innovation and best practices within the Office of Academics.
•    Facilitate professional development opportunities that strengthen leadership capacity within the district.
7.    Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree

Advanced degree in Education, Public Administration, or a related field preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

 7 years
New employee should experience as a certified educational diagnostician, leadership in special education, and strong knowledge of assessment practices and compliance procedures. 

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

SAP
Microsoft Office
Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier)

Proven experience in educational leadership, academic project management, or school district administration. Strong analytical skills with expertise in data-driven decision-making. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic initiatives for student achievement. Excellent communication and collaboration abilities to engage diverse stakeholders

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for multiple departments and/or a major division or for the entire district. Provides strategic direction and develops long-range plans which impact multiple departments or divisions. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to a major functional area or multiple departments. Establishes programs and policies, and ensures integration of operational objectives across multiple, major departments, program areas and possibly district wide.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice, and feedback. 

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development. 
Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

N/A

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD's policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.