Job Summary:Reporting directly to the ED of Student Assessment and MTSS, the Manager, MTSS serves as a core executive leader driving the districtwide vision, governance, and systemic scaling of MTSS across all 500+ Chicago Public Schools. This role leads the strategic alignment, policy execution, and system-wide integration of the MTSS framework-incorporating core instruction, academic interventions, and social-emotional supports-to ensure equitable, high-impact learning experiences for all students across the district. This is a full-time exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
The Manager, MTSS will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:- Architect and drive the districtwide MTSS Action Plan, establishing policy, operational frameworks, and equitable resource allocation across all central office teams, networks, and schools.
- Drive cross-departmental strategic alignment with central office leaders-including Literacy, Math, Multilingual Multicultural Education (OMME), Students with Disabilities (OSD), Early Childhood Education (OECE), Office of School Counseling and Postsecondary Advising (OSCPA), Office of Student Support and Engagement (OSSE), and Office of Social Emotional Learning (OSEL)-to embed research-based MTSS practices across all district initiatives.
- Chair and convene regular meetings of the cross-departmental CPS MTSS Committee, driving executive alignment, establishing governance standards, and guiding central office leadership in MTSS integration.
- Establish, implement, maintain, and continuously improve districtwide systems for evaluating the fidelity, continuous improvement, and student outcome impact of MTSS and research-based academic interventions in alignment with Continuous Improvement and Data Transparency (CIDT) indicators.
- Executive reporting: Synthesize districtwide implementation analytics and present weekly progress reports, strategic risks, and recommendations to the Teaching and Learning leadership. And serve as an active member of the Teaching & Learning Leadership Team and Academic Leadership Team, advising executive leadership on district strategy, performance management, policy design, and systemic implementation.
- Oversee executive strategy, managing program strategy, high-level network partnerships, cross-departmental alignment, vendor relationships, and team management while managing CPS vendor relationships and contract performance for relevant MTSS platforms, software tools, and intervention providers to ensure consistent, research-aligned implementation across schools.
- Stay current on national best practices, policy trends, and research in large-scale urban MTSS implementation to continuously elevate CPS frameworks.
- Set the MTSS vision and strategy for districtwide professional learning, coaching models, and change-management resources targeting Central Office administrators, Network Chiefs, Principals, and lead teachers.
- Conduct strategic site visits across school networks to evaluate system-level MTSS implementation, capture best practices, and refine district guidance based on direct feedback from school-based staff.
- Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager, MTSS must possess the following qualifications: Education Required: - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, School Psychology, Educational Leadership, or a related field, required
- Master's degree or Doctorate from an accredited college or university in Educational Leadership, Systems Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or relevant discipline, preferred
Experience Required: - Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in education, school psychology, or district-level administration
- Minimum of 3 years driving complex, large-scale systems or cross-functional academic/MTSS initiatives within a large organization or urban school district
- Demonstrated success designing districtwide adult professional learning strategies
- Deep expertise in MTSS frameworks, specialized instruction for English Language Learners (ELL), and Special Education (Diverse Learners) at a systems level
- Classroom teaching or instructional coaching experience, required (Math or Literacy preferred)
- 3+ years of direct supervisory experience leading teams and managing vendor relationships or strategic projects, preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Mastery of urban MTSS design, multi-tiered systems architecture, and translating district strategic plans into scalable, school-level operational reality.
- Advanced capability to build, evaluate, and leverage enterprise data systems to monitor implementation fidelity, student progress, and programmatic impact across hundreds of sites
- Exceptional strategic communication skills to lead cross-functional committees, brief executive leaders, and navigate complex policy environments
- Proven skill in vendor management, project management, contract oversight, and aligning external technology tools to internal district MTSS frameworks
- High emotional intelligence, agility, and decision-making capability to lead transformational change and foster equity in a fast-paced environment
Benefits:Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your ChoiceCPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Dental
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and TomorrowWe understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional LifeCPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
Paid Leave
Sick Leave
Vacation Days
Parental Leaves
Short-Term Disability
Religious Holidays
Leaves
Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.
