Chief of Staff

Job Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION: CHIEF OF STAFF

Reports To: Superintendent
Department: Office of the Superintendent
FLSA Status: This position is exempt from overtime pay and is expected to fulfill job responsibilities as needed to meet organizational goals.

Terms of Employment: 12 Months (240 Days)

Salary: $143,524.00-$168,485.00 (Salary Schedule-43)

Job Summary

The Chief of Staff reports directly to the Superintendent and serves as a senior adviser and organizational leader responsible by assisting the superintendent to move district priorities from decisions to results. The position leads complex projects across departments, coordinates Cabinet work, helps to hold leaders accountable for commitments, identifies problems before they become crises, and verifies measurable results. The Chief of Staff manages the flow of issues and decisions through the Superintendent's Office and may serve as the Superintendent's designee within delegated authority.

The Chief of Staff works closely with Cabinet and Departmental Leaders. The role supports school improvement and principal effectiveness in coordination with the established reporting relationships and instructional responsibilities of those departments. Direct supervision of schools, school leaders, or central office staff will be assigned by the Superintendent and reflected in the district organizational chart.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, business, organizational leadership, or a related field required. A master's and doctorate degree in one of these fields is preferred, not required.
• School district Cabinet experience is preferred, but not required. Certification in education and educational administration / leadership preferred, but not required.
• Several years of progressively responsible organizational or project leadership experience in education, business, government, nonprofit organizations, or a comparable setting. Experience supervising leaders or coordinating multiple departments is required.
• Demonstrated success leading complex projects from concept through implementation, improving organizational systems, solving problems independently within delegated authority, and holding leaders accountable for measurable results.
• Strong knowledge of strategic planning, project management, performance measures, data analysis, and organizational operations. Familiarity with public school governance and operations is preferred.
• Ability to give candid advice, exercise sound judgment, handle confidential matters discreetly, communicate clearly, navigate the public responsibilities of district leadership, and have difficult conversations with fairness and consistency.
• Any certification or other credentials required for the final position assignment will be determined and verified by Human Resources before posting.

Essential Duties

• Lead cabinet meetings and follow-up systems that document decisions, responsible staff, deadlines, evidence of completion, and results; elevate overdue or unresolved matters to the Superintendent.
• Translate the Superintendent's and Board's priorities and the district strategic plan into action plans with named owners, deadlines, milestones, and measurable outcomes; review progress regularly with department leaders.
• Coordinate major initiatives involving multiple departments and schools; identify risks early, bring forward practical solutions, clarify ownership, remove barriers, and ensure that implementation matches approved plans and timelines.
• Lead project planning and execution for assigned district priorities, including clear scope, work plans, resources, schedules, decision points, and evidence that intended outcomes were achieved.
• Take ownership of matters delegated by the Superintendent, make authorized decisions, and carry them through to verified resolution. When a matter requires the Superintendent's decision, return with the facts, options, recommendation, and evidence needed to act.
• Review multiple sources of school and district data with the appropriate instructional and operational leaders; identify trends, request corrective action when results fall short, and track whether actions improve outcomes.
• Partner with the Cabinet and Departmental Leaders to align school improvement plans, school support team processes, principal development, instructional support, and resource decisions with district goals.
• Set clear expectations for assigned staff and Cabinet commitments, inspect evidence of progress, address missed deadlines and weak results directly, and recommend corrective action to the Superintendent when needed. Support executive leadership evaluations and supervisor follow-through on improvement plans.
• Work with Human Resources and responsible supervisors to address staffing priorities, leadership recruitment, onboarding, employee performance concerns, and timely completion of personnel actions.
• Support the Superintendent with sensitive personnel, legal, operational, and community matters; coordinate with the responsible department and legal counsel, exercise discretion, and track each matter through resolution.
• Strengthen district procedures and communication across departments; identify recurring breakdowns, recommend practical improvements, and verify that new procedures are used consistently.
• Bring forward innovative, practical ideas that advance district priorities; test feasibility with responsible leaders, develop an implementation plan, build support, and drive approved ideas to measurable results.
• Coordinate with operations, technology, finance, safety, and student services leaders to resolve issues that affect instruction, service delivery, or the daily operation of schools.
• Prepare concise status reports and recommendations for the Superintendent that distinguish completed work, measurable results, pending decisions, and matters requiring Board action.
• Track Board requests and commitments made by district staff, coordinate timely responses, and verify completion. Support the Superintendent's communication with Board members, families, employees, and community partners as directed while protecting confidential information.
• Attend Board meetings and prepare reports or presentations requested by the Superintendent. Serve as the Superintendent's designee when authorized and within applicable policy.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the Superintendent.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Chief of Staff's performance will be measured through the following indicators, using documented assignments, agreed deadlines, and evidence of results:

• District priority execution: Percentage of assigned project milestones completed by the approved deadline, with a target of at least 90%.
• Measurable results: Percentage of assigned initiatives that achieve their agreed quarterly outcomes or have a documented corrective action, with a target of at least 80%.
• Cabinet follow-through: Percentage of documented Cabinet commitments completed by deadline, with a target of at least 90%. Overdue or unresolved commitments are promptly elevated to the Superintendent.
• Delegated issue resolution: Percentage of matter delegated by the Superintendent resolved by the agreed deadline, with a target of at least 85%. Resolution must be supported by evidence, not simply reported as complete.
• Decision support: Percentage of matters requiring the Superintendent's decision presented with relevant facts, options, a recommendation, and a deadline for action, with a target of at least 90%.
• Risk identification and response: Timely identification of significant risks to assigned priorities, with a documented owner, proposed response, and escalation when needed.
• Board request follow-through: Percentage of assigned Board requests completed or answered by the agreed deadline, with a target of at least 95%.
• Process improvement: Implementation of at least two significant improvements annually, followed by a review showing whether the new procedures are being used and have improved results.

Targets may be adjusted by the Superintendent based on the scope of assigned responsibilities and established baseline data. Progress will be reviewed regularly and assessed as part of the annual evaluation.

Position Summary

This position requires the successful candidate to be a proactive, innovative, organized, and decisive leader who can turn district priorities into results. The Chief of Staff works directly with the

Superintendent to coordinate work across departments, hold Cabinet members accountable, and resolve delegated matters. The successful candidate must take ownership of issues, remain involved until they are resolved, and provide the Superintendent with clear recommendations, supporting facts, and evidence of completion. Success in this role is measured by timely and effective solutions, fulfilled commitments, and measurable progress on district priorities.

Computer Skills
General knowledge of computer usage and ability to use email, internet software, and word processing software. Must learn other software used by the district.

Physical Requirements
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment such as operating a computer and using a keyboard. Must have the ability to walk short distances and carry items such as parcels, books, and other items. Occasional lifting and carrying of items of 10 lbs. or less. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions

Duties are generally performed in an office and school environment. The employee must be able to use a computer and telephone, read printed and electronic materials, communicate effectively in meetings and by telephone, travel among district sites, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Montgomery County Board of Education Division of Human Resources reserves the right to amend the job description as needed, without notice.

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Certified or Classified Employees. Evaluation will be conducted by the Supervisor or his/her designee.

How to Apply:

All applicants should complete the State of Alabama online application and attach it to the specific job number to be eligible for hire. This application can be found on the website https://www.mps.k12.al.us/page/join-the-mps-team. Any questions should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (334) 223-6700.

(The funding for and duration of this position are finite, pursuant to the Students First Act of 2011, Section 4(3)(b), tenure may not be gained by time served in this position.)

SPECIAL NOTE: The person selected for this position must agree to a background check, be fingerprinted, and pay a $46.20 fee. This is required by law.

SPECIAL NOTE:For employees starting work after the beginning date of the work term, the salary will be pro-rated and based on the number of contract days left in the school year, divided by the remaining months in the contract year.