Managing Director of Academics

Core Priorities of the Role

• Leader and Team Development: Lead and develop the Director of ELA and Math and the Director of the Excel Teaching Fellowship. Build the instructional leadership capacity of principals, academic leaders, and content leaders across the network. Develop leaders to improve teaching and learning in their schools.
• Curriculum Quality and Coherence (Grades 5–12): Ensure a coherent academic program across grades 5–12 and across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Lead the selection, adaptation, and implementation of curriculum across grade levels and content areas. Oversee curriculum strategy for the founding Rhode Island high school and ensure coherence with the Massachusetts high school model. Improve the quality and consistency of the middle school curriculum to ensure strong preparation for high school. Ensure curriculum materials are rigorous, aligned to college-ready standards, culturally responsive, and connected to college and career pathways.
• Instructional Quality and Implementation: Strengthen Tier 1 curriculum implementation across schools. Develop leaders to improve instructional practice so that core instruction consistently drives strong and improving academic outcomes and reflects culturally responsive practices.
• Professional Learning and Adult Development: Design and lead (or oversee the design and facilitation of) professional learning for network and school-based leaders. Model strong adult learning and develop leaders to effectively coach teachers and instructional teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with leaders across student supports, data, talent, operations, and school leadership to ensure curriculum, instruction, and professional learning are aligned with broader network systems. Partner with the Managing Director of Student Supports to strengthen differentiation, accessibility, and culturally responsive practices within Tier 1 instruction.

Responsibilities

• Instructional Vision and Priorities: Set and steward the network’s instructional direction, ensuring coherence across schools, grade levels, and content areas. Identify and prioritize the highest-leverage opportunities to strengthen teaching and learning across the network. Partner with school and network leaders to translate academic priorities into strong instructional practice. Ensure alignment with Excel’s instructional philosophy while balancing network consistency with school-based flexibility.
• Leader and Teacher Development: Serve as a strong instructional leader, modeling effective practices in teaching, coaching, and adult learning. Design and lead (or oversee the design and facilitation of) high-impact professional development for principals, academic leaders, and teachers. Manage and develop the Director of ELA and Math and the Director of the Excel Teaching Fellowship, and coach and develop leaders across the network. Build systems that support consistent, high-quality instructional feedback and development across schools.
• Curriculum and Instruction: Oversee the selection, adaptation, and implementation of curriculum across grade levels and content areas. Lead curriculum strategy for the founding Rhode Island high school and ensure coherence with the Massachusetts high school model. Improve the quality and consistency of the middle school curriculum to ensure strong preparation for high school. Work with content leaders to strengthen coherence across subjects and grade levels. Ensure curriculum materials are rigorous, aligned to college-ready standards, culturally responsive, and connected to college and career pathways.
• Data-Driven Instruction: Partner with data and assessment leaders to analyze student achievement trends and identify priorities for improving teaching and learning. Support leaders in using data to inform instructional decisions, curriculum adjustments, and professional learning priorities. Ensure coherence between curriculum, assessment, and instructional practice across schools. Use network-wide data to inform academic strategy and continuous improvement efforts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Organizational Leadership: Collaborate with leaders across student supports, data, talent, and operations to ensure coherence of curriculum, instruction, and professional learning within broader network systems. Partner with the Managing Director of Student Supports to strengthen differentiation, accessibility, and alignment of Tier 1 instruction with Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports. Contribute to network-wide academic strategy as a member of the Network Team. Build relationships with school leaders to support strong implementation of academic priorities across schools.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as a senior leader in academics, curriculum, or instructional systems, with responsibility for setting vision and designing systems across multiple teams or schools.
• Experience leading at a systems level and/or managing and developing other leaders (e.g., principals, network leaders, or equivalent roles).
• Proven ability to lead through influence, including partnering with school leaders and coaching senior staff.
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills in complex, high-stakes situations.
• Track record of building trust, developing leaders, and strengthening teams.
• Ability to work across functional areas to integrate priorities into broader organizational systems.
• Deep understanding of rigorous instructional practice, particularly in Tier 1 instruction.
• Experience improving teaching and learning through curriculum and instruction.

Skills

• Strong systems-thinking and ability to create clarity in complex environments.
• Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills.
• Strategic and analytical thinking with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with operational execution.

Mindsets/Values

• Commitment to and belief in all students and Excel Academy’s mission.
• Dedication to addressing racial and economic inequity in education.
• Collaborative, inclusive, and team-oriented approach.
• Growth mindset and openness to feedback.
• Strong sense of ownership and commitment to continuous improvement.