Executive Director - Cincinnati

About the role

IDEA Public Schools is one of the nation's highest-performing public charter school networks, serving approximately 87,000 students across more than 140 tuition-free schools. For over 15 consecutive years, every IDEA graduating class has achieved nearly 100% college acceptance.

IDEA Greater Cincinnati is entering an exciting stage of growth. We are seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead the region into its next chapter by driving academic excellence, enrollment growth, financial sustainability, and community impact.

Key Priorities

• Grow regional enrollment from approximately 1,100 students to more than 1,800 students
• Accelerate academic performance to achieve 4.5 Stars by 2030
• Build a financially sustainable region
• Develop a high-performing leadership team capable of long-term success
• Strengthen IDEA's presence across the Cincinnati community

Essential Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership:
• Develop and execute the regional strategic vision aligned with IDEA Public Schools' mission
• Translate long-term priorities into measurable annual operating plans
• Partner with national departments including Finance, Human Resources, Compliance, and Information Technology
• Participate in organizational leadership to help shape network-wide strategy
• Enrollment Growth & Financial Stewardship:
• Lead regional enrollment and persistence efforts
• Strengthen IDEA's brand and community presence
• Oversee annual budget development and financial planning
• Manage regional financial performance and identify risks proactively
• Academic Excellence:
• Drive strong student outcomes across all campuses
• Develop instructional leaders through coaching and accountability
• Foster a culture of data-driven decision making
• Ensure compliance with Ohio accountability requirements and academic benchmarks
• Talent & Leadership Development:
• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional regional leaders
• Build leadership capacity through coaching and succession planning
• Establish a culture of accountability, feedback, and continuous improvement
• Governance & Community Engagement:
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors
• Maintain strong relationships with the state authorizer and community partners
• Represent IDEA Public Schools with elected officials, philanthropic partners, and civic leaders
• Serve as the public face of IDEA Greater Cincinnati
• Organizational Culture:
• Build a culture rooted in transparency, accountability, care for people, and mission
• Ensure teachers and staff feel supported and valued
• Promote organizational health while maintaining operational excellence

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive executive leadership experience
• Experience leading multi-school, regional, or organization-wide operations
• Demonstrated success growing enrollment, programs, schools, or organizations
• Strong financial acumen, including ownership of budgets or P&L responsibility
• Proven ability to improve academic outcomes through leadership
• Experience leading senior teams across multiple functional areas
• Success building relationships with boards, regulators, funders, and community stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Commitment to being a full-time, on-site leader in Cincinnati

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $161,694–$198,884, commensurate with experience and internal equity. IDEA Public Schools also offers:

• Performance-based incentive eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• Referral bonus program
• Relocation assistance (when applicable)

Why Join IDEA Greater Cincinnati?

This is more than a leadership role, it's an opportunity to build something transformational. As Executive Director, you will lead a growing region at a pivotal moment, shaping educational opportunities for thousands of students while helping build one of Cincinnati's premier public school organizations. You'll have the support of a nationally recognized network with the autonomy to make lasting impact in your community.