Executive Director of Instruction

Position Profile

Position: Executive Director of Instruction

School/Department: Academics - Central Administration

Reports To: Chief of Instruction

FTE: 1.0

Days/Year: 260

Salary Grade: P11

Salary Range: $102,649-$115,600

Salary Schedule: 2025-2026 Executive Professional Salary Schedule, Non-School Based Positions (Group C)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Why You Will Love Working Here:  We are D11! Become part of an innovative Three Chief Academic model that brings Instruction, Curriculums, and Student Success together as a true team of teams. This structure ensures no one is working in isolation—every role is connected to a shared mission of supporting student achievement. You’ll join a district deeply committed to ensuring every student has access to high-quality instruction, and you’ll be surrounded by colleagues who believe in the ability of all students. 

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Academics provides leadership and strategic oversight for K–12 instruction, assessment, and academic innovation in one of four Area Networks in Colorado Springs School District 11. This role ensures coherent instructional systems, aligned curriculum, and high-impact teaching practices that promote student agency, engagement, and deeper learning for all students.

The Executive Director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the district’s academic vision; oversees instructional coaching systems, academic master planning, Student Support integration, graduate profile implementation, and innovation initiatives.

Through strong collaboration with school leaders, educators, and cross-functional departments, including Area Superintendents, the Executive Director ensures access to high quality instruction for every child by implementing the D11 instructional model, ensuring relevant learning experiences, and driving measurable improvements in student achievement across the district.

Leaders at Colorado Springs School District 11 are collaborative, student-centered professionals who inspire excellence through vision, accountability, and care. They embody the District’s roadmap to success through creating environments that provide high-quality instruction, enhancing classroom focused resources, expanding our diverse school portfolio, providing excellence through experience and building connected communities. 

All leaders in D11 are expected to:

• Cultivate safe learning environments where all students and staff feel a sense of belonging and are valued.
• Lead or support the design and implementation of programs aligned to district and board goals.
• Use data and evidence to inform continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.
• Manage personnel, budgets, and resources with efficiency, transparency, and integrity.
• Build partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations that strengthen outcomes.
• Model professionalism, ethical leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Essential Job Functions

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-year strategic plan aligned to district priorities and Board goals.
  
  
• Establish and communicate a clear, cohesive vision for student access to high-quality programs, services, and supports across the organization.
  
  
• Lead systemic implementation of districtwide frameworks, initiatives, and improvement models to ensure consistency and fidelity.
  
  
• Translate regulatory, legislative, and policy changes into actionable strategies and operational plans.
  
  
• Champion student-centered practices across all service areas.
  
  
• Identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities; proactively adjust strategy to ensure sustainable impact.

Organizational & Program Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of multiple programs, service areas, or operational units within the division.
  
  
• Ensure effective development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services.
  
  
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and district policies.
  
  
• Monitor and revise policies, procedures, and operational practices to maintain legal compliance and alignment with district goals.
  
  
• Provide executive guidance to the Superintendent and senior leadership on complex, high-impact matters within the division.
  
  
• Lead districtwide response efforts or coordinated initiatives that address critical incidents or high-stakes situations, as applicable.
  
  
• Supervise, evaluate and provide actionable feedback to directors, managers, and key staff; ensure performance accountability across teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with school leaders, central office departments, staff, families, community partners, and external agencies to advance organizational priorities.
  
  
• Facilitate strong communication and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.
  
  
• Promote cross-departmental alignment to reduce silos and strengthen integrated supports.
  
  
• Represent the division in Cabinet, Board presentations, community forums, and external partnerships.
  
  
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships that enhance services, expand capacity, and strengthen community impact.

Leadership Development & Organizational Capacity

• Build leadership capacity within the division through coaching, succession planning, and targeted professional development.
  
  
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to administrators and leaders regarding best practices, compliance requirements, and operational expectations.
  
  
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance.
  
  
• Ensure equitable access to professional learning and resources that strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Data Strategy, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

• Establish systems to collect, analyze, and report performance data, program effectiveness measures, service utilization metrics, and compliance indicators.
  
  
• Use quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
  
  
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective action plans when needed.
  
  
• Prepare and present executive-level reports and recommendations to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and stakeholders.
  
  
• Lead continuous improvement efforts grounded in measurable outcomes and organizational priorities.

Financial & Resource Stewardship

• Develop and oversee complex departmental budgets aligned to strategic goals and performance targets.
  
  
• Ensure responsible, transparent, and equitable allocation of resources across programs and operational areas.
  
  
• Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and procurement processes within the division.
  
  
• Identify, pursue, and manage external funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships.
  
  
• Ensure efficient deployment of personnel, services, and operational supports.
  
  

Governance, Advocacy & Risk Management

• Advise on and support development of Board policies, administrative regulations, and governance structures.
  
  
• Advocate for organizational priorities and the needs of diverse stakeholders at local, state, and national levels.
  
  
• Mitigate organizational risk through proactive monitoring, compliance controls, and internal review processes.
  
  
• Ensure ethical decision-making, confidentiality, and responsible stewardship of sensitive matters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Strategic planning and organizational systems design
  
  
• Public sector governance and regulatory compliance
  
  
• Program evaluation and performance management
  
  
• Budget development and fiscal oversight
  
  
• Change management and large-scale implementation
  
  

Skills in:

• Executive-level leadership and decision-making
  
  
• Political acumen and stakeholder management
  
  
• Strategic communication and presentation
  
  
• Complex problem-solving and risk assessment
  
  
• Talent development and performance coaching

Ability to:

• Lead large, diverse teams toward measurable results
  
  
• Navigate ambiguity and high-stakes environments
  
  
• Influence across functions without direct authority
  
  
• Balance strategic vision with operational execution
  
  
• Maintain composure, discretion, and sound judgment under pressure

Qualifications

• Required Masters Degree in education, business, public administration or a related field 
• Preferred qualifications include advanced certification or licensure, experience in K–12 education or government operations, and/or bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or other district-identified languages).

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is primarily sedentary with periods of light activity. Essential functions may include walking or standing for extended periods; lifting up to 20 pounds; climbing stairs; bending; reaching; handling objects; and operating a computer keyboard. The role requires effective communication and the ability to receive and process information through vision, hearing, or other assisted means. Work is performed in a typical office setting with frequent collaboration across departments and occasional evening meetings. Duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation. 

Join Our Team!

Join Colorado Springs School District 11 as an Executive Director and help lead the systems that power student and staff success. Your leadership, problem-solving, and collaborative approach will strengthen operations, foster innovation, and help every member of the D11 community thrive.

Employees in this category will also receive the following for the 2025-2026 school year: 

1. Non-Recurring Pay:  8% of base salary in Non-Recurring Pay (distributed as 4% on November paycheck and 4% on May paycheck). 
2. Professional Development Fund (PDF): __EXEC Pro employees will be allocated $1,500 annually towards a Professional Development Fund (PDF) to be used for professional growth opportunities. Amount allocated will be prorated based upon date and length of hire.

Base Salary Setting: Employment, assignment and salary placement, is in accordance with job description requirements. A work history is required to demonstrate job title, job duties and time worked in the position. Reference the linked How Your Compensation Is Determined for more details. 

Salary Setting (New Hires): Newly-employed Executive Professionals will be placed on the twenty (20) step system.  Each step represents two years of experience, based upon equivalent experience.  Beginning in July 2025, The maximum number of years of experience granted is 14, which is equivalent to placement on step seven (7). Steps are determined by experience listed on the application and resume.

Salary Setting (Rehires): Returning employees who have previously resigned or separated from the District will be rehired at the same step they were on at the time of resignation/separation plus any new experience gained in the same job,  provided step increases were approved by the Board during the years in question. 

Employees with experience in the District who have left the District and then returned to the same position shall be hired at the same pay grade (refers to the __EXEC Pro placement on salary schedule by job title) and step at time of resignation.  Additional relevant experience gained after resignation may be evaluated from the employee’s  application and updated resume.  

See Employee Handbook (located on the D11 website) for information on salary setting for rehires (after retirement), promotions and lateral transfers. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY