The Village Academy Charter School
Executive Director
The Village Academy Charter School, Trenton, New Jersey, us, 08628
ORGANIZATION: The Village Charter School
POSITION: Executive Director
LOCATION: Trenton, NJ
REPORTS TO: Board of Trustees
Who We Are
In 1999, the founders of The Village Charter School [“VCS”] set out to advance a radically new approach to education in Trenton (NJ): the founding of a school where a life-giving community - of staff, students, families, and community members – would be focused on the care and support of the whole-child. Their goal was to create a "village of friends," dedicated to supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth throughout their development. As VCS prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, its distinctive, whole-child approach remains as vital to Trenton today as it was when the school first opened its doors.
The Village Charter School, serving 360 K-8 students, primarily from African American (93%) and Latino (5%) backgrounds, has fostered growth and learning for a generation of students and families in a place of care and inspiration. In fact, one of the strongest testaments to its mission is the number of alumni who now choose VCS for their own children. With a culture rooted in "hard work and heart work," students are seen, valued, challenged, and loved for who they truly are. This community flourishes on a 10-acre, bucolic campus on the western edge of Trenton - a city where green space is at premium for the school’s student population, of whom 90% are economically disadvantaged. These surroundings only contribute to the nurturing environment which stakeholders routinely refer to as “family-like.”
With a foundation of strong financial and operational systems, VCS is focused on enhancing its academic programming to better prepare students for high school, college, and long-term success. While the school already surpasses district peers in Math and ELA proficiency, there is a clear institutional drive to raise academic expectations even further. At the same time, Village is also committed to increasing socio-emotional and mental health support for students in the wake of COVID-19. Above all else, there exists an unwavering determination at VCS to remain the "village" that students and families can rely on for the next 25 years.
Who We Need
As VCS celebrates 25 years of serving Trenton families — marked by a strong instructional vision and vibrant student culture — the school’s leadership understands the need to keep evolving. Entering its next phase of growth, VCS must honor its rich history while embracing innovative changes that advance its mission.
To lead this effort, VCS seeks an Executive Director who will respect the school’s traditions while driving mission-critical change. The Executive Director will instill a stronger outcomes-driven focus, updating systems and structures where student performance falls short. Guided by both quantitative and qualitative data, this leader will ensure that every decision upholds the school’s core values, promoting the dignity of each student, staff member, and family.
Specifically, the Executive Director will be responsible for the following aspects of VCS’s leadership:
·
Executive Leadership:
Provide strategic oversight for all instructional, programmatic, fiscal, and operational functions of VCS, serving 360 students in grades K-8. Ensure cohesive leadership that aligns with the school's mission and goals.
·
Team Leadership:
Cultivate a culture of accountability across all departments. Lead the continued implementation and refinement of the Stronge & Associates Administration Effectiveness Performance Evaluation System to support growth and performance.
·
Instructional Leadership:
Guarantee the effectiveness of all educational programs and student services, ensuring high achievement. Supervise and mentor the VCS principal, the primary instructional leader, to foster academic excellence.
·
Performance Leadership:
Utilize both internal accountability systems and external measurements to track and analyze academic, social, and emotional outcomes. Identify and address achievement gaps by grade level, subject, and student subgroups to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.
·
Financial Leadership:
Lead the finance and operations team in developing and managing a sustainable financial plan focused on enhancing student outcomes. Oversee the preparation of annual and multi-year budgets, ensuring compliance with all fiscal policies and board-approved strategies.
·
Partnership Leadership & Board Support:
Strengthen key partnerships with community groups that contribute to the success of the school. Support the Board of Trustees by setting meeting agendas, preparing reports, recommending actions, and executing board-directed initiatives.
·
Funding Development Leadership:
Ensure the successful execution of grant research, drafting, and tracking processes. Monitor grant-related compliance and ensure that funding is used effectively and in line with legal and funder mandates.
·
Reporting/Compliance Leadership:
Prepare and submit all required reports to comply with state and federal regulations, particularly those of the New Jersey Department of Education, ensuring accurate and timely compliance.
·
Talent & Operational Leadership:
Oversee all operational aspects, including HR policies, contract management, procurement, technology infrastructure, facilities planning, legal matters, and compliance. Ensure operational systems align with organizational goals.
·
Communications Leadership:
Serve as the key communicator within the VCS community. Maintain visibility and accessibility with staff, students, families, and external stakeholders, while acting as the school’s spokesperson to the broader community.
·
Growth Leadership:
Partner with the Board, families, and stakeholders to shape the strategic direction of the school. Conduct research on educational best practices and work toward long-term initiatives that promote sustainable growth.
Who You Are
In numerous stakeholder meetings leading up to this position description, the word “family” consistently emerged as a defining characteristic of The Village Charter School. The school takes pride in the individualized support and care provided to each student, ensuring they are well-prepared for high school, college, and life. At the same time, VCS is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. The Board of Trustees, along with staff and students, have emphasized the need for an Executive Director with a proven record of accomplishment in leading a K-12 organization or network to achieve excellence – particularly when realizing excellence meant organizational change - while maintaining a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing relationships in a child’s development.
To that end, the ideal candidate will bring the following experiences, knowledge, and values to this role:
Impact-Driven Leader : At least 10 years of professional experience, including a leadership role in a K-12 organization or network, with a proven track record of measurable success and positive outcomes.
Culture Builder : Demonstrated ability to cultivate a diverse, hardworking, and joyful workplace culture that upholds the dignity of every individual, prioritizes equity, and fosters inclusivity.
Family Advocate : Proven success in engaging and empowering families, with a deep appreciation for their strengths and a keen understanding of the systemic challenges they face.
Organizational Leader : Extensive experience managing the diverse functions of a complex organization, ideally within a high-performing school environment.
Visionary Leader : A history of setting a compelling vision for a K-12 organization that inspires current stakeholders and attracts new supporters.
Compliance and Operations Expert : In-depth knowledge of compliance, fiscal management, and the operational demands specific to New Jersey charter schools.
Skilled Communicator : Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including families, staff, the Board, media, community partners, and funders.
Financial Steward : Proven expertise in managing a complex organizational budget and securing significant philanthropic or government funding to support K-12 education.
Lifelong Learner : Commitment to personal and professional growth, with a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution.
Thoughtful Decision-Maker : Experience gathering diverse perspectives before making difficult decisions and the confidence to stand by those decisions.
Mission-Driven Champion : Deep personal alignment with the mission of VCS, including that children and families feel a sense of well-being and live responsibly in an atmosphere that promotes tolerance and empathy for others.
The salary range for the individual who best matches the qualities sought above is $195,000 to $225,000, commensurate with experience and potential.
How to Apply
Please submit a statement of interest (750 words maximum) along with a résumé to Village@rootedpartners.org. The statement of interest should articulate how your experiences, knowledge, and values align with the attributes sought in the Executive Director position for The Village Charter School.
The deadline for receipt of applications is December 8, 2024. However, serious candidates are encouraged to apply before that date, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $195,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
Trenton, NJ 08618: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
#J-18808-Ljbffr
POSITION: Executive Director
LOCATION: Trenton, NJ
REPORTS TO: Board of Trustees
Who We Are
In 1999, the founders of The Village Charter School [“VCS”] set out to advance a radically new approach to education in Trenton (NJ): the founding of a school where a life-giving community - of staff, students, families, and community members – would be focused on the care and support of the whole-child. Their goal was to create a "village of friends," dedicated to supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth throughout their development. As VCS prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, its distinctive, whole-child approach remains as vital to Trenton today as it was when the school first opened its doors.
The Village Charter School, serving 360 K-8 students, primarily from African American (93%) and Latino (5%) backgrounds, has fostered growth and learning for a generation of students and families in a place of care and inspiration. In fact, one of the strongest testaments to its mission is the number of alumni who now choose VCS for their own children. With a culture rooted in "hard work and heart work," students are seen, valued, challenged, and loved for who they truly are. This community flourishes on a 10-acre, bucolic campus on the western edge of Trenton - a city where green space is at premium for the school’s student population, of whom 90% are economically disadvantaged. These surroundings only contribute to the nurturing environment which stakeholders routinely refer to as “family-like.”
With a foundation of strong financial and operational systems, VCS is focused on enhancing its academic programming to better prepare students for high school, college, and long-term success. While the school already surpasses district peers in Math and ELA proficiency, there is a clear institutional drive to raise academic expectations even further. At the same time, Village is also committed to increasing socio-emotional and mental health support for students in the wake of COVID-19. Above all else, there exists an unwavering determination at VCS to remain the "village" that students and families can rely on for the next 25 years.
Who We Need
As VCS celebrates 25 years of serving Trenton families — marked by a strong instructional vision and vibrant student culture — the school’s leadership understands the need to keep evolving. Entering its next phase of growth, VCS must honor its rich history while embracing innovative changes that advance its mission.
To lead this effort, VCS seeks an Executive Director who will respect the school’s traditions while driving mission-critical change. The Executive Director will instill a stronger outcomes-driven focus, updating systems and structures where student performance falls short. Guided by both quantitative and qualitative data, this leader will ensure that every decision upholds the school’s core values, promoting the dignity of each student, staff member, and family.
Specifically, the Executive Director will be responsible for the following aspects of VCS’s leadership:
·
Executive Leadership:
Provide strategic oversight for all instructional, programmatic, fiscal, and operational functions of VCS, serving 360 students in grades K-8. Ensure cohesive leadership that aligns with the school's mission and goals.
·
Team Leadership:
Cultivate a culture of accountability across all departments. Lead the continued implementation and refinement of the Stronge & Associates Administration Effectiveness Performance Evaluation System to support growth and performance.
·
Instructional Leadership:
Guarantee the effectiveness of all educational programs and student services, ensuring high achievement. Supervise and mentor the VCS principal, the primary instructional leader, to foster academic excellence.
·
Performance Leadership:
Utilize both internal accountability systems and external measurements to track and analyze academic, social, and emotional outcomes. Identify and address achievement gaps by grade level, subject, and student subgroups to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.
·
Financial Leadership:
Lead the finance and operations team in developing and managing a sustainable financial plan focused on enhancing student outcomes. Oversee the preparation of annual and multi-year budgets, ensuring compliance with all fiscal policies and board-approved strategies.
·
Partnership Leadership & Board Support:
Strengthen key partnerships with community groups that contribute to the success of the school. Support the Board of Trustees by setting meeting agendas, preparing reports, recommending actions, and executing board-directed initiatives.
·
Funding Development Leadership:
Ensure the successful execution of grant research, drafting, and tracking processes. Monitor grant-related compliance and ensure that funding is used effectively and in line with legal and funder mandates.
·
Reporting/Compliance Leadership:
Prepare and submit all required reports to comply with state and federal regulations, particularly those of the New Jersey Department of Education, ensuring accurate and timely compliance.
·
Talent & Operational Leadership:
Oversee all operational aspects, including HR policies, contract management, procurement, technology infrastructure, facilities planning, legal matters, and compliance. Ensure operational systems align with organizational goals.
·
Communications Leadership:
Serve as the key communicator within the VCS community. Maintain visibility and accessibility with staff, students, families, and external stakeholders, while acting as the school’s spokesperson to the broader community.
·
Growth Leadership:
Partner with the Board, families, and stakeholders to shape the strategic direction of the school. Conduct research on educational best practices and work toward long-term initiatives that promote sustainable growth.
Who You Are
In numerous stakeholder meetings leading up to this position description, the word “family” consistently emerged as a defining characteristic of The Village Charter School. The school takes pride in the individualized support and care provided to each student, ensuring they are well-prepared for high school, college, and life. At the same time, VCS is committed to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. The Board of Trustees, along with staff and students, have emphasized the need for an Executive Director with a proven record of accomplishment in leading a K-12 organization or network to achieve excellence – particularly when realizing excellence meant organizational change - while maintaining a deep understanding of the importance of nurturing relationships in a child’s development.
To that end, the ideal candidate will bring the following experiences, knowledge, and values to this role:
Impact-Driven Leader : At least 10 years of professional experience, including a leadership role in a K-12 organization or network, with a proven track record of measurable success and positive outcomes.
Culture Builder : Demonstrated ability to cultivate a diverse, hardworking, and joyful workplace culture that upholds the dignity of every individual, prioritizes equity, and fosters inclusivity.
Family Advocate : Proven success in engaging and empowering families, with a deep appreciation for their strengths and a keen understanding of the systemic challenges they face.
Organizational Leader : Extensive experience managing the diverse functions of a complex organization, ideally within a high-performing school environment.
Visionary Leader : A history of setting a compelling vision for a K-12 organization that inspires current stakeholders and attracts new supporters.
Compliance and Operations Expert : In-depth knowledge of compliance, fiscal management, and the operational demands specific to New Jersey charter schools.
Skilled Communicator : Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including families, staff, the Board, media, community partners, and funders.
Financial Steward : Proven expertise in managing a complex organizational budget and securing significant philanthropic or government funding to support K-12 education.
Lifelong Learner : Commitment to personal and professional growth, with a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution.
Thoughtful Decision-Maker : Experience gathering diverse perspectives before making difficult decisions and the confidence to stand by those decisions.
Mission-Driven Champion : Deep personal alignment with the mission of VCS, including that children and families feel a sense of well-being and live responsibly in an atmosphere that promotes tolerance and empathy for others.
The salary range for the individual who best matches the qualities sought above is $195,000 to $225,000, commensurate with experience and potential.
How to Apply
Please submit a statement of interest (750 words maximum) along with a résumé to Village@rootedpartners.org. The statement of interest should articulate how your experiences, knowledge, and values align with the attributes sought in the Executive Director position for The Village Charter School.
The deadline for receipt of applications is December 8, 2024. However, serious candidates are encouraged to apply before that date, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $195,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year
Education:
Bachelor's (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
Trenton, NJ 08618: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
#J-18808-Ljbffr