VP of School Improvement - Houston and Permian Basin (26-27)

About the position

The Vice President of School Improvement at IDEA Public Schools leads the strategic planning and execution of initiatives to enhance academic achievement, school culture, and operational effectiveness across campuses within the portfolio of the Area Superintendent. This role focuses on data-driven decision-making, instructional leadership, and targeted support to ensure all IDEA schools meet and exceed performance expectations. The Vice President will work closely with regional and national leaders to analyze school performance data, identify trends, and implement evidence-based interventions that drive sustainable success. This is a full-time hybrid (remote/on-site) position based in Houston or the Permian Basin, with preference given to candidates who live in the region, or who are willing to relocate. Travel is expected up to 70% of the time during the busiest parts of the year, with travel within the home-base region and to IDEA training events or step-back meetings also required. The role works remotely when not traveling and visiting campuses.

Responsibilities

  • Creates, codifies and oversees IDEA’s school improvement framework, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and state accountability standards
  • Collaborate with regional and national leaders to identify underperforming schools and design comprehensive improvement plans based on data insights.
  • Build partnership with the regional service center and serve as the district coordinator for school improvement (DSCI)
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret student achievement, school culture, and operational data to diagnose challenges and drive school improvement strategies, including developing and utilizing predictive analytics to proactively identify schools and student subgroups at risk of underperformance.
  • Support the implementation of high-quality instructional practices by aligning school improvement efforts with IDEA’s academic model, state assessments, and accountability measures, focusing on regional improvement priorities under the Area Superintendent, and collaborating with curriculum, coaching, and talent development teams through regular operating mechanisms and national initiatives.
  • Ensure all school improvement initiatives align with state and federal accountability requirements, including ESSA, TEA guidelines, and local policies.
  • Partners with the VP of Accountability to understand and ultimately lead accountability training within their regions with instructional leaders.
  • Lead improvement and innovation initiatives that help schools realize the vision of college and beyond
  • Lead professional development for principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders, with an emphasis on data-driven instruction and decision-making.
  • Lead data-driven coaching sessions with VPs of Schools, principals and instructional coaches to strengthen their ability to interpret and apply data insights effectively, ensuring each school has and executes a DDI systems plan to address rigor of plans and effectiveness of execution.
  • Ensure fidelity to IDEA’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), leveraging data to provide targeted interventions and support.
  • Design and support initiatives that foster a positive school culture, including early-warning systems for student disengagement and behavioral trends.
  • Partner with the VP of Curriculum and Instruction to deeply understand the academic program and lead, plan, and train the regional and campus staff when applicable.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree in education, data analytics, leadership, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in school leadership, instructional coaching, or district-level school improvement.
  • Demonstrated experience using data to drive academic growth and school improvement.
  • Proven track record of closing achievement gaps and improving student outcomes in a K-12 setting.
  • Experience working in a data-rich environment, with strong skills in interpreting and applying school performance data.
  • Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse group of individuals across multiple regions.
  • Strong computer literacy that includes an understanding of Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong mathematical skills and the ability to understand and interpret data (charts, graphs, etc.).
  • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.

Nice-to-haves

  • Experience in school turnaround work at the charter or ISD level

Benefits

  • medical, dental, and vision plans
  • disability
  • life insurance
  • parenting benefits
  • flexible spending account options
  • generous vacation time
  • referral bonuses
  • professional development
  • a 403(b) plan
  • relocation stipend
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