At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.
Position Description
The Chief of Strategy plays a pivotal role in the strength and health of the organization as a whole, with a special emphasis on developing strong systems for smooth operations and maintaining a strong staff culture. Specifically, the Chief of Strategy will do the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning work of the organization. In addition, the Chief of Strategy will oversee leadership development, facilitate and support the leadership teams of the organization, and provide strategic counsel to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors. Managing organization-wide projects and initiatives, the Chief of Strategy ensures effective internal and external communication such that organizational priorities are in alignment across Rocketship.
The Chief of Strategy will report directly to the Executive Director. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Executive Leadership
- Serve as a cross-functional leader and connective tissue between the executive team and school-based program areas, ensuring ongoing communication and collaboration, centering our commitment to equity, student achievement, developing a highly skilled team in all work streams.
- Support the executive team to develop and implement a comprehensive multi-year academic and culture strategy that aligns with Rocketship DC’s strategic goals and objectives; ensure that the Rocketship's long-term plans are inspired by an equity lens, and fully reflect the organization's commitment to excellence and belonging and educating all students.
- Provide an organizational perspective to support senior leaders and ensure organizational success, including leading cross-functional task forces, as needed; manage the execution of organizational projects and initiatives that require cross-team collaboration where decision-making spans across departments.
- Represent staff and holistic organizational needs in strategic planning and problem-solving processes, act as a steward for ongoing staff engagement and effectiveness.
Strategic Support
- Provide strategic counsel to the Executive Director; serve as a thought partner by helping to set and achieve strategic priorities.
- Represent the Executive Director in both internal and external meetings, at conferences, and with the media.
- Prepare for and manage weekly Executive Team and Leadership Team meetings, joint ET/LT meetings, quarterly meetings for leadership teams, and all leadership retreats.
- Ensure leadership meetings align with strategic priorities, and that there is clear ownership and follow-through on projects and initiatives.
- Work closely with partners, donors, and other external stakeholders, representing Rocketship with strategic partners and building lasting, trusting relationships to advance mutual goals.
- Support the Executive Director in developing agendas and materials for the Board of Directors and committee meetings; organize regular briefings for Board members on the work of the organization; identify opportunities to engage the Board of Directors on strategic issues and communicate with Board Members as appropriate.
Team Management
- Lead the organization's efforts to create a positive working environment reflecting organizational values; implement initiatives to develop leadership skills and establish accountability mechanisms for leadership.
- Provide mentoring, coaching, and accountability to the Executive Team.
- Provide management and thought leadership to their efforts and ensure integration across all departments and teams at the national and regional level.
- Hire, train, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties, support the prioritization of strategies and tactics to advance organizational goals.
- Serve as an interim team lead during periods of transition; oversee newly forming teams on an as-needed basis.
- Design, develop and implement structures, processes, and initiatives to support organizational goals and priorities.
Project Management
- Design and deliver professional development to meet the needs of your region's school-based staff.
- Partner with school Principals and network School Operations Team to ensure that schools function at a high level.
- Identify and manage new initiatives to meet the changing needs of the region and our schools (e.g. before and after care, regional communication, Pre-K programming, etc.).
- Create and modify tools and templates to support high-quality operations and finance within your region.
- Support communication related to your work, both across your region and network-wide.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred (M.Ed., MA, MS, MBA, MPA, JD, or other relevant degree).
- 10 years of experience managing a dynamic program, office, or projects with complex stakeholders and competing priorities.
- 2+ years of school leader experience, project management, or communications experience preferred.
- Deep commitment to Rocketship’s mission to eliminate the achievement gap and a willingness to go above and beyond to work together toward our shared goals.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and experience building working relationships with senior leaders.
- Experience working across teams and regions.
- Maturity and ability to work independently.
- Ability to analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data into actionable recommendations to address complex problems.
- Systems-thinking orientation and drive to build and codify sustainable solutions.
- Superb project management skills including the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
- Clear and structured communication.
- Entrepreneurial, flexible, collaborative, and open to feedback, able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Salary: $170,000 - $185,000 a year
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.
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