Senior Manager, Early College Initiatives

Senior Manager, Early College Initiatives            

Department:  Office of Pathways to College and Career

Principal Accountabilities

1. Oversee long-term strategic vision and annual implementation plans to build strong Early College programs (Early College STEM HS, dual credit, dual enrollment) resulting in significantly higher numbers of students graduating with college credit achieved via early college initiatives. 
2. Design replicable, scalable models for high-quality Early College programs.  Ensure alignment with CPS district strategic vision and goals (e.g., dual credit curriculum alignment with Common Core State Standards).
3. Oversee development of Race to the Top budgets for ECSS as well as annual operating budget for dual credit and dual enrollment programs.  Ensure the effective management of resources to achieve program goals.  Engage in external fundraising efforts as needed.
4. Oversee broad range of Early College-related professional development for teachers and counselors citywide, offering PD and coaching in large groups, small groups, and 1-on-1 capacities.
5. Collaborate with other CPS departments and student support services to effectively serve the needs of programs and students (e.g., Curriculum & Instruction, Professional Learning, Counseling, Academic and Learning Supports, Strategy/Research/Accountability, Operations, Information Technology Services, etc.)  Collaborate with Principals and Chiefs of Schools to drive program/student success.
6. Cultivate and oversee partnerships with 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions in order to drive student access to dual credit, dual enrollment, and other early college opportunities.
7. Build relationships with businesses and community partners, including at City Colleges of Chicago, in order to drive industry engagement, work-based learning opportunities for students, and ensure ongoing support of Early College initiatives and programs. 
8. Supervise and develop Early College Initiatives staff (2 direct reports) and lead a professional learning community for school-based Early College Program Managers, providing oversight and ongoing coaching to ensure achievement of performance and development goals. 

1. Project planning and strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and the ability to align and manage activities toward execution of identified goals.
2. Strong leadership and team-building skills, i.e., ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success.
3. Self-starter with ability to conduct multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a collaborative team.
4. Strong budgeting and forecasting skills, and experience managing large-scale budgets.
5. Ability to build trusting relationships and function effectively at the school level, central office level, and with executive-level external partners in business, postsecondary, and government.
6. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to drive change and achieve results.  Experience developing business, government, post-secondary and other external relationships to garner support and resources.
7. Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.
8. Willingness to learn and adapt in the midst of new and shifting priorities with a "can-do" solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
9. Development-oriented mindset; reflective, self-aware, and driven to learn from setbacks.
10. Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and technology skills.
11. Demonstrated program management skills including program planning, implementation and review/ evaluation.
12. Possess a track record of success as demonstrated by superior academic and professional achievement.
13. Some knowledge of CTE, Early College, and Workforce Development best practices preferred.

• Required: Bachelors degree in education, social sciences, business, public policy, or related field.
• Preferred: Masters degree.

• Required: Five or more years of professional experience.  Two or more years direct supervisory experience managing teams.
• Preferred: Experience in a large organization, driving complex projects requiring significant cross-functional collaboration.  Experience leading, developing and implementing outcomes-based programs for urban students.  Experience in Career and Technical Education (CTE), teaching and/or administrative.