Senior Director of School Leadership

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non‑profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high‑quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.

The Senior Director of School Leadership is a senior, system‑level leader responsible for designing, leading, and continuously improving the organization’s approach to school leadership development, coaching, and core school‑based practices. The Senior Director of School Leadership will provide transformative direct support to key senior leaders in the organization to ensure school excellence in every region. This role serves as a strategic partner to our principal supervisors (Directors of Schools), regional leaders, and senior leadership of the National Program team to ensure leaders at every level are equipped with the tools, systems, and structures needed to drive strong academic, operational, and organizational outcomes. This position blends strategic design with hands‑on partnership. The Senior Director will set vision for effective regional and school leadership systems, create scalable tools and resources, coach senior leaders in each region, and support regions and schools that require more intensive support. The role requires comfort operating at both the system and school levels, including, if needed, the ability to embed temporarily in schools or regions to stabilize leadership structures and implement foundational systems during periods of transition or turnaround.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and steward a clear, organization‑wide vision for core leadership coaching and development systems for principal managers, including 1:1s, Real Time Coaching, School Leadership Team meetings, and professional development.
• Develop scalable resources, frameworks, and tools that enable Directors of Schools and Principals to lead high‑quality, data‑driven leadership routines.
• Establish consistent expectations and quality standards for leadership development and coaching practices across all regions.
• In partnership with the Academics and Learning and Development Teams, support design and facilitation of development opportunities for new and continuing principals.
• Serve as a primary strategic partner and coach to Directors of Schools, strengthening their ability to support, develop, and hold school leaders accountable for excellent results.
• Design and lead a comprehensive DoS onboarding approach, including onboarding plans, training sequences, and ongoing development structures for Directors of Schools, including new Directors of Schools.
• Tailor support to address needs of new to position, new to network, or new to region team members.
• Build systems and templates that support Directors of Schools and school leaders in analyzing performance data, diagnosing root causes, planning for strategic staffing and schedules, and translating insights into action.
• Design and facilitate opportunities for consistent shared learning and community building among principal managers vis a vis communities of practice, site visits, and other coaching routines.
• Partner with executive sponsor and working group to codify a system of support for Transformation Schools and regions requiring intensive intervention.
• Develop differentiated approaches for turnaround work versus direct support, ensuring schools in need of additional support receive targeted, high‑impact partnership and resources.
• Embed temporarily in schools or regions, as needed, to stabilize leadership teams, implement foundational systems, and establish sustainable leadership practices.
• Act as the primary program strategic partner for assigned schools or regions requiring intensive, hands‑on support.
• Partner closely with program, regional, talent, and operations teams to align leadership systems with broader organizational priorities and supports.
• Use data and qualitative insights to assess the effectiveness of leadership development systems and continuously improve organizational strategy.
• Contribute to organization‑wide planning, priority setting, and decision‑making as a member of the senior program leadership team.

Qualifications and Experience

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in education, nonprofit, or systems‑level school support, including direct experience working with school leaders and regional leadership structures.
• 3+ years experience as a principal of a high‑performing school (elementary preferred).
• 2+ years experience as a supervisor of school principals.
• Demonstrated success designing and leading leadership development systems at scale.
• Strong background in coaching and developing senior leaders (e.g., principals, Directors of Schools, or regional leaders).
• Experience in a start up or growing organization.
• Adaptability and problem‑solving skills; ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Experience leading effectively in a multi‑regional organization.
• Exceptional analytical skills, including the ability to translate qualitative and quantitative data into strategic action.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence and partner across levels of an organization.
• Deep commitment to educational equity and the success of students and communities served by Rocketship.
• Experience leading or supporting school turnaround, transformation, or intensive intervention efforts preferred.

Location and Travel

This role is strongly preferred to be based in Nashville, Milwaukee, or Washington, DC, with up to 50% travel to support schools and regions across the organization’s footprint. If based outside of these regions, travel could be up to 70% time.

Compensation

$115,500 - $168,600 a year, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.