DescriptionChiefs Schools OfficerMission:Reporting directly to the Deputy Superintendent of K-16, the Chief Schools Officer provides executive leadership for IDEA's Schools Team, leading the Area Superintendents responsible for supporting 130 schools across Texas. This leader is accountable for creating the conditions that enable every campus to achieve strong student outcomes through outstanding instructional leadership, exceptional principal development, disciplined execution, and a focus on continuous improvement.
The Chief Schools Officer develops the systems, talent, and culture that make school excellence predictable across every region. The role turns IDEA's academic model into strong classroom practice, ensuring schools implement curriculum, assessment, and instructional priorities with fidelity. Working in close partnership with Executive Leadership, this leader ensures schools receive aligned, high-quality support that enables every campus to thrive.
Success is measured in student outcomes: students reading on grade level, campuses earning A and B ratings, schools that families choose and students stay in, and graduates ready for college.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Directly supervises Area Superintendents, Chief of Staff, and the VP of School Development. Leads multiple layers of leadership supporting principals and campus leadership teams statewide.
Location: This is a full-time hybrid position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.
Travel Expectations: Up to 50% travel across IDEA's Texas regions.
What You'll Do - Accountabilities Essential Duties: - Deliver on IDEA's student outcome goals. Own network performance against five goals: 85% of students entering 3rd grade on grade level in reading; every campus rated A or B; annual enrollment targets met; 90% student persistence within three years; 90% college enrollment (75% in 4-year college or university). Set regional targets, monitor progress, and adjust before results are final.
- Ensure faithful implementation of the academic model. Partner with the Chief Academic Officer, who designs curriculum, assessments, training, and data tools. Build the systems that get those tools used well in every classroom: strong Tier 1 instruction, effective intervention, and disciplined use of data.
- Ensure faithful implementation of the school operations model. Partner with Chief Campus Operating Officer, who designs the operational model: facilities, safety, transportation, food service, and campus systems. Build the systems that get every campus running these well, so operations enable instruction rather than compete with it.
- Develop principals and the leaders who coach them. Coach Area Superintendents and Executive Directors to develop principals into instructional leaders. Build leadership pipelines and succession plans so every campus has a strong principal.
- Lead school improvement and turnaround. Diagnose struggling campuses early. Differentiate support based on root cause. Personally coach leaders of the network's highest-priority schools. Sustain gains rather than produce one-year spikes.
- Build consistent regional operating systems. Establish common expectations for coaching, school visits, progress monitoring, talent reviews, and strategic planning. Reduce unnecessary variation across regions while respecting local context.
- Steward campus resources. Ensure regions and campuses operate within budget, staff to model, and make resource decisions that protect student outcomes.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities: - Align cross-functional support to schools. Partner with Executive Leadership, so campuses receive one coordinated set of asks, not competing ones.
- Serve on the Executive Leadership Team. Provide counsel to the Deputy Superintendent, Superintendent, CEO, and Board on school performance and strategy.
- Advance IDEA 2035. Drive campus-level execution of IDEA's priorities: student belonging, rigorous academic access for all, and college completion and career readiness.
- Represent IDEA externally. Serve as an ambassador for IDEA's mission with families, communities, and education partners across Texas.
Knowledge and Skills - Competencies - Make Strategic Decisions:
This team member embodies IDEA's mission and values in decision-making, balancing bold vision with ethical and operational rigor. They establish governance frameworks that ensure consistency and accountability organization-wide, while applying systems thinking to break down silos and drive data-informed continuous improvement.
This team member designs scalable systems that anticipate future organizational needs, driving sustainable impact through cross-functional collaboration and strategic problem-solving. They foster a culture of ownership and accountability, lead change with clarity and purpose, and balance hands-on leadership with empowering others to build capacity and achieve long-term success.
This team member embeds development priorities into strategic planning, ensuring organization-wide systems and resources support continuous learning. They build and empower senior leadership teams to drive performance, innovation, and inclusivity, while executing a comprehensive talent strategy that spans the full employee lifecycle and cultivates a culture of lifelong growth.
- Build a Culture of Trust:
This team member exemplifies IDEA's values and ethical standards through integrity, transparency, and responsible stewardship. By openly sharing decision rationale and fostering curiosity and inclusion, they build trust across the organization and create a culture where diverse perspectives are valued.
- Communicate Deliberately:
This team member sets and upholds communication standards across the organization, ensuring clarity and trust, especially during times of change or crisis. They lead major initiatives with strategic, context-rich messaging, proactively shaping narratives that address challenges, foster resilience, and align stakeholder perception with organizational impact.
Additional Skills: - Leading through layers of leadership across multiple geographic regions
- Diagnosing instructional and organizational problems from classroom evidence
- Translating network strategy into campus-level execution
- Using leading indicators, not just annual results, to manage performance
- Coaching senior leaders toward measurable outcomes
- Communicating with boards, executives, principals, teachers, and families
Required experience: - Bachelor's degree required
- 10+ years of progressive educational leadership experience
- Success as a campus principal, with a record of improving student achievement
- Experience managing leaders who supervise principals (Executive Director, Area Superintendent, or comparable)
- Demonstrated results improving academic outcomes across multiple schools or a region
Preferred Education and Experience: - Master's degree preferred
- Executive leadership in a high-performing charter network or large public school system
- Experience with Texas accountability systems and school improvement frameworks
- Experience leading turnaround in historically underperforming schools
Physical Requirements: - Must be able to travel up to 50% of the time to IDEA regions across Texas
- Must be able to work in office, campus, and classroom environments
- Must be able to navigate stairs or use an elevator
- Must be able to sit for extended periods during meetings and work sessions
- Must be able to use a computer and other office equipment for extended periods
What We Offer: Compensation & Benefits: Salary for this role is commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity.This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.
Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.
* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.
Application process: Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Learn more about IDEA At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values
