Executive Director of Student Support Services

About the role

The Executive Director of Student Support Services provides visionary leadership for the district's comprehensive system of student support services, ensuring equitable access, high-quality programming, and legally compliant services for all students. This position is responsible for leading the district's special education programs while promoting inclusive practices, continuous improvement, and collaborative partnerships that support student achievement and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for all district special education and student support services.
• Establish and communicate a vision for student support services that aligns with the district's strategic plan and educational goals.
• Supervise, mentor, coach, and evaluate special education administrators while fostering leadership growth and professional excellence.
• Partner with principals and district leaders to strengthen inclusive practices, instructional programming, and systems that improve outcomes for all students.
• Provide executive-level consultation and guidance to district and building administrators regarding complex student situations, personnel matters, compliance, and program implementation.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, monitoring activities, reporting requirements, and due process procedures.
• Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of district special education programs and student support services.
• Promote equitable access to rigorous instruction and meaningful participation in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities.
• Develop and implement systems that ensure consistency in service delivery, program quality, and compliance across all schools and programs.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, retain, and support highly qualified administrators and staff.
• Develop, monitor, and manage departmental budgets, grants, Medicaid reimbursement, and other funding sources while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Cook up staffing, program development, and service delivery to meet the evolving needs of students and the district.
• Oversee referral, evaluation, eligibility, individualized education program (IEP), manifestation determination, and dispute resolution processes to ensure high-quality services and legal compliance.
• Collaborate with Teaching and Learning, Human Resources, Finance, Operations, Transportation, Student Health Services, and other district departments to provide coordinated support for students.
• Foster collaborative relationships among general education and special education leaders to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.
• Analyze student achievement, compliance, financial, staffing, and program data to guide strategic planning and continuous improvement.
• Foster productive partnerships with families, Oakland Schools, the Michigan Department of Education, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the district during compliance reviews, state monitoring, complaints, mediation, due process hearings, and other legal or regulatory proceedings.
• Lead professional learning, leadership development, and coaching related to special education, inclusive practices, instructional leadership, and student support services.
• Serve as a member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team, providing guidance and recommendations on district initiatives, policy development, and organizational improvement.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Valid Michigan approval or eligibility for approval as a Director or Supervisor of Special Education in accordance with the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience in special education, including progressively responsible leadership experience.
• Experience as a special education teacher and/or related service provider.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, MARSE, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, Medicaid School-Based Services, and other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, mentoring, and evaluating administrators, teachers, and support staff.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, grants, state and federal funding, and Medicaid reimbursement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, facilitate collaboration, build leadership capacity, and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills.