Kuumba Academy Charter School Chief Executive Officer Position Announcement
Kuumba Academy Charter, a premier arts integrated K-8 school located in Wilmington, Delaware seeks dynamic, inspirational, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a reputable educational institution. CEO is responsible for orchestrating the collaborative interplay between school board governance, academic excellence, positive school culture, administrative efficiency, financial solvency, and community engagement.
This role involves serving as professional staff to the school board, steering the school’s vision and mission, ensuring that the educational programs are both innovative and academic outcomes are reflective of ambitious standards.
By fostering a school culture that encourages intellectual curiosity among students and professional growth among staff, the CEO ensures the public charter not only meets but exceeds the expectations of all stakeholders.
Balancing operational efficiency and effectiveness with the intricacies of student learning, safety, curriculum development, and professional staff development, this position is instrumental in shaping a nurturing and dynamic educational setting that prepares students as change agents for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
Preferred Qualifications: Candidates hold an advanced degree, a master’s degree, a Post-Master’s Certificate, Principal Certification, and/or a Doctorate Degree. MBA is a plus. Relevant fields of study include Education Leadership, Educational Administration, or School Management. Coursework in strategic planning, educational policy, leadership ethics, and fiscal management is strongly desired.
A strong academic foundation in these areas equips candidates with the necessary knowledge to oversee an enrollment of 600 students, a workforce of 100 employees and contractors, charter compliance regulations, school business operations, partnership development, curriculum development, and human resources, ensuring a high-quality educational environment.
Experience: The ideal candidate for the CEO position possesses a blend of hands-on experience in educational leadership with a national network, including roles such as teaching, administrative positions, curriculum development, assessment, finance, governance, and policy development. This role demands a proven track record in improving school performance and fostering a positive educational cultural environment.
Experience in strategic planning, human resource management, staff performance evaluation and student achievement evaluation are crucial. On-the-job experience in educational policies, fiscal management, and school operations is essential.
Elevating the school externally with stakeholders, and participation in professional development programs to stay abreast of educational trends and leadership skills is also expected.
Certifications & Licenses: Teaching and Principal Certification are required by the State of Delaware.
Salary: Negotiable based on experience, educational background, and specialized skills in educational leadership or administration. Proven ability to secure private foundation, corporate and additional governmental funding also plays a crucial determining factor.
Benefits:This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Delaware. Additional information regarding the state benefits package may be found here:
Summary of Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Responsibilities
Educational Leadership: Guiding the institution’s educational vision to align with both current academic standards and the unique needs of the student body is a primary responsibility. The role involves inspiring a diverse team of educators to work towards enhancing student learning and achievement.
Strategic Planning: Setting long-term goals and outlining steps to achieve objectives requires an understanding of the educational landscape and the ability to anticipate future challenges. This skill is crucial for guiding the institution through growth and change, maintaining its relevance.
Core Value: The school culture and social environment are centered around collaboration, with an elevated level of interaction with teachers, students, and parents. This role demands a balance between leadership and approachability, fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
Curriculum Development: Aligning educational programs with the school’s mission is critical, ensuring the curriculum prepares students for future challenges while meeting current educational standards. Collaboration with faculty to innovate teaching methods and materials is necessary, promoting an environment of continuous improvement.
Financial Management: Development and oversight of budget driven by enrollment, resource distribution, and financial planning is essential for sustainable operations that support educational goals. Analyzing financial reports, forecasting needs, and making informed decisions are key to balancing academic excellence with fiscal responsibility.
Stakeholder Engagement: Building effective communication and relationships with students, parents/adult caregivers, faculty, and the broader community ensures a supportive educational environment. Listening and responding to stakeholder concerns and aspirations helps in creating a culture of trust and collaboration.
Crisis Management: Managing unexpected challenges, from natural disasters, pandemics, to public relations issues, is imperative for the safety and well-being of students and staff while preserving the school’s reputation. Thoughtful, timely decision-making, effective stakeholder communication, and strategic solution development are necessary under pressure.
Professional development opportunities are often available to stay abreast of educational trends and leadership practices. Technology plays a significant role in daily operations, from administrative management systems to educational and communication platforms.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $116,370.00 - $136,098.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- After school
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Ability to Commute:
- Wilmington, DE 19801 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Wilmington, DE 19801: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person