Executive Director of School Leadership for the High Schools and Adult Education (C137-2627)

POSITION : Executive Director of School Leadership for the High Schools and Adult Education

REPORTS TO : Chief Academic Officer/Superintendent of Schools and CEO

POSITION SUMMARY : The Executive Director of School Leadership (EDSL) for the High Schools and Adult Education supervises, coaches, and supports school principals and adult education director to ensure the effective delivery of curriculum and instruction and attainment of student achievement goals. The Executive Director of School Leadership is responsible for coordinating with other central office leaders to build support systems in service of schools’ improvement efforts and district priorities. The EDSL is also responsible for collaborating with district divisions in the oversight of school improvement, operations, and safety and to assure proper implementation of district policies and procedures. The EDSL is accountable for improving student achievement at the schools they supervise.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE :

Focus on the growth of school principals' and adult education director’s instructional leadership capacity

Coach and evaluate principals and adult education director on all aspects of the Connecticut School Leadership Standards

Provide evidence-based feedback that improves individual leadership and overall school success and supports a strong growth trajectory for both principals and their schools

Model for principals and adult education director the thought processes and actions of instructional leadership

Plan and lead differentiated professional learning experiences for principals and adult education director, individually and as a cohort

Support principals and adult education director in creating, implementing, evaluating, and adjusting data-informed plans for improving schools, programs, and instruction for all students

Support principals, adult education director, and school leadership teams in the design and execution of innovative school models, especially high school and adult education models, which promote college, career, and life readiness for all students

Engage school and program leaders in dialogue that explicitly identifies goals and objectives that will impact student achievement and aligns school improvement plans with the District Model for Excellence Strategic Operating Plan and annual performance targets

Build principal, adult education director, and school leadership team capacity in regularly reviewing and analyzing student and school data to understand what's working, what's not, and making rapid adjustments to realize student achievement targets

Coordinate Instructional Rounds, formal and informal classroom walk-throughs, and school and program site visits to monitor instructional quality across all assigned settings

Provide timely and specific instructional improvement feedback to principals and adult education director

Facilitate School and Program Progress Review Meetings and coordinate central office's collective response to student performance data, school climate surveys, attendance data, financial matters, staffing needs, curricula, and identified interventions

Collaborate with other EDSLs and central office divisions to ensure that the principals and adult education director have the support to effectively implement Hartford Public Schools' (HPS) strategic priorities, carry out required policies and procedures, and achieve Connecticut School Leadership Standards

Advocate for and inform the coherence of organizational vision, policies, and strategies to support secondary schools, adult education programs, and student learning

Collaborate with other Executive Directors of School Leadership and the Chief Academic Officer to create a climate of professional collaboration, share best practices, and establish structures that foster shared learning, information, and resource exchange across schools and the PreK-12 and adult education system

Develop and contribute to communication and collaboration systems that ensure a smooth flow of information to enable all resources to be focused on high-priority goals for each school and program, and ensure the sharing and implementation of best practices and district initiatives across all assigned settings

Work with the Office of Talent Management to develop, recruit, hire, and onboard new school leaders and adult education directors

Foster meaningful and effective relationships with families, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders in support of Hartford high school and adult education students

Advocate for assigned secondary schools and adult education programs with other district leaders, and work with district leaders to broker the necessary central office resources to support successful school and program improvement plan implementation

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE :

Reform-minded, innovative thinker and leader who maintains a relentless focus on student learning and well-being

Demonstrated experience in raising student performance and closing achievement gaps, preferably in a high school setting

Knowledge of and experience meeting the needs and challenges of neighborhood and/or magnet urban schools in urban/multicultural settings

Commitment to the Hartford Public Schools' District Model for Excellence Strategic Operating Plan

Strong and collaborative leadership with an honest, transparent, and inclusive style that supports outcomes and educational excellence

Proven ability to build consensus among peer professionals

Ability to inspire respect, trust, and excellence in others

Effective management and leadership of adults, including coaching, evaluation, and team building among a variety of stakeholders

Proven ability to provide detailed, instructionally focused feedback

Demonstrated ability to exercise impeccable ethics and sound judgment and model a proactive, positive approach

Demonstrated ability to manage complex change initiatives, including by prioritizing and advancing multiple work streams, identifying, and navigating interdependencies, and cultivating coherence

Able to collect and analyze observational, anecdotal, and quantitative data to guide decision-making

Demonstrated skill as an articulate and persuasive communicator, both orally and in writing

Able to keep others adequately informed and engaged

Deep understanding of curricular frameworks, quality classroom materials, and high-quality instructional practices in K-12, with a strong understanding of high school

Advanced degree in education or a related area

At least five (5) years of successful experience as a school principal

Experience at the secondary level is required

Proven record of educational leadership in a complex environment, preferably to include experience successfully coaching and/or supervising principals

Familiarity with adult education programs and the unique needs of adult learners

CERTIFICATION REQUIRED : Connecticut Certification in Intermediate Administration or Supervision (092) is required.

UNION AFFILIATION : Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association (HPSA)

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT : Salary is in accordance with the Hartford Principals’ and Supervisors’ Association’s 2026-2027 Schedule: Executive Principal/Principals Supervisor, Group 10, salary range of $169,209 - $182,473 (12-month work year).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford . Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email. The code word for the internal application is hartford (lowercase “h”). Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates who advance will be contacted directly by hiring managers for interviews.

We Value Our Staff…And It Shows

Hartford Public Schools is seeking excellent candidates and wants to provide the best experience for you.

We have put together a comprehensive package of benefits and incentives.

Financial Incentives

Tuition Reimbursement : Up to $3,000 annually

Residency Differential : 3% of base salary for certified administrators (HPSA members) living in Hartford

Differential for Doctorate in Education : $2,500 annually

Additional Benefits

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance

Board contribution of 50% of the applicable Health Savings Account (HSA) deductible

5 Personal days per year; 20 Sick days per year

Life insurance (2x annual salary)

Loan forgiveness (State & Federal)

Professional learning

Career growth opportunities

Join HPS & REPRESENT

Hartford Public Schools (Hartford, Connecticut) is a diverse community of educators and approximately 16,000 students attending 39 distinctive magnet, community, and neighborhood schools located in Connecticut's capital city. Our values are excellence, equity, inclusiveness, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Our mission is to provide all students with the learning and support needed to succeed in school and life, and our shared vision is that all students will graduate prepared to transform our world.

"Set the bar. Meet the bar. Exceed the bar. Raise the bar!" is the motto of Hartford Public Schools' Superintendent and CEO, Andraé Townsel. We are committed to continuous improvement, knowing that consistent growth toward abundant academic proficiency and excellence will raise the bar for our students in Hartford.

HPS has career opportunities of all kinds in all of our schools. Come represent your community, your culture, and what's possible for our amazing students. When you work here, it's not just about making a living—it's about making a difference. And you don't just earn a paycheck—you earn lifelong respect.

Hartford is The Place to Be

The state of Connecticut is located on the northeastern seaboard. Hartford is within an hour's drive of the coastline and is centrally located between New York City and Boston. Hartford is one of America's oldest and most historic cities, made up of 17 unique neighborhoods rich in history and diversity. It is commonly known as the "insurance capital" due to its prominence beginning in the 19th century as home to many of the nation's most prestigious insurance companies, many of which still call Hartford home today. The city features world-class museums, entertainment, and sports venues and is home to several major companies. An array of restaurants reflecting cuisines from around the world attracts people from far and wide, and more than 200 arts, heritage, and cultural organizations in the Hartford region provide hundreds of events year-round. In addition, several universities and colleges are located in Hartford and the surrounding towns, offering easy access to advanced degree programs.

Want to learn more about opportunities in HPS? Join one of our monthly virtual information sessions .

Position Subject to Available Funding

An Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/V/D