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Job Description: Executive Director, Exploration High School Position Overview Exploration High School, a public charter school committed to being a "public school for public good," is seeking an exceptional Executive Director to lead our learner-centered school. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring operational sustainability and alignment with our vision. Salary This is a 12-month salaried position in the $90,000-$100,000 range. Key Responsibilities The Executive Director will focus on six primary responsibilities to ensure Exploration High School thrives as a community of learning and growth: 1. Strategic Development * Provide clarity and alignment to the school&#8217;s vision and mission, ensuring all stakeholders understand and are inspired by the long-term direction of the school. * Develop actionable strategies to transition the school from a start-up to a sustainable, thriving institution. * Build and refine systems, structures, and processes to create organizational stability and success. 2. Build Strong Relationships * Foster a workplace culture that is collaborative, innovative, respectful, and inclusive, where all voices are heard, and diverse perspectives are valued. * Build and nurture strong relationships with students, staff, and families to create a sense of belonging and shared purpose. * Model and promote the school&#8217;s values of trust, empathy, and community. 3. Recruiting * Attract and retain students, families, and staff who align with the school&#8217;s mission and values. * Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to grow the school community and foster diversity. 4. Fundraising * Build and execute a sustainable fundraising plan that supports the school&#8217;s financial health and enables innovative programming. * Cultivate relationships with donors, community partners, and stakeholders to secure resources for the school&#8217;s growth and development. * Diversify funding sources, such as grants, corporate sponsorships, and donor engagement. 5. Human Relations * Hire and retain a high-performing team, ensuring the right people are in the right roles to drive the school&#8217;s mission forward. * Manage conflict with dignity, steadfastness, and effectiveness, fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect. * Build structures for staff collaboration, professional development, and clear role definitions to support team success. 6. Administrative Compliance and Facility Management * Maintain a pulse on school operations, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements by working closely with fellow administrators. * Develop and oversee processes for compliance reporting, ensuring all legal and operational standards are met. * Build and maintain a strong relationship with the school&#8217;s landlord, addressing facility-related issues directly or designating appropriate tasks. Through all these areas, we seek a systems builder who creates the ideal conditions for the people around them to thrive, empowering staff and students to contribute leadership to the school community. The Executive Director will ensure that Exploration High School is not just a place of learning but a supportive, dynamic community where everyone can grow and succeed. The Executive Director will be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and be active on select Board Committees. Desired Skills and Qualities * Proven ability to lead with empathy, trust, and transparency. * Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build genuine, respectful relationships with a diverse student body, staff, and community. * Competency in systems-level thinking, with experience in both educational leadership and nonprofit management. * Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. * Adaptability to different personalities and situations, maintaining composure and fairness in challenging circumstances. * A collaborative, visionary approach with a focus on equity and sustainable growth. Preferred Experience * Has led an organization with at least 10 employees and an annual budget of at least $1 million. * Has worked in schools, preferably a charter and/or non-traditional setting * Demonstrated experience in student-centered education, such as project-based learning, personalized learning plans, or competency-based education * Has experience in school compliance * Has experience in fundraising, community engagement, and nonprofit operations. * Has shown commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion * Has shown success in transitioning organizations from start-up to stable systems. Workplace Culture We strive to create a collaborative, fun, open, and innovative workplace. Our culture values respect, trustworthiness, honesty, kindness, and compassion. We are committed to promoting work-life balance, humor, and acceptance while fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Application Process Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Exploration High School Board Chair Nathan Strenge at nathan.strenge@explorationhighschool.org<mailto:nathan.strenge@explorationhighschool.org>. The submitted materials should speak to their leadership experience, alignment with our mission, and vision for the role. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. ________________________________ Exploration High School is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.