Director Institutional Improvement

Education is ever-evolving. And so are we.

We seek passionate people from diverse backgrounds who are committed to helping improve the work of schools as a trusted partner in advancing learning. By joining the Cognia team, you will be immersed in a community of energetic and resourceful people dedicated to a common vision to impact and inspire education providers to advance and enable pathways of success for all learners. At Cognia we have developed a holistic approach to education that empowers schools to create real outcomes and optimize learning for students of all backgrounds, servicing more than 36,000 institutions, 5 million teachers, and 25 million students in 85 countries. When you join Cognia, you join a team of experts passionate about our mission and embracing our core values in everything we do.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Director Institutional Improvement is responsible for visioning, developing, implementing strategic plans, providing leadership and overall direction relative to Cognia's Institutional Improvement Services, as well as products, services, training, and research associated with school improvement. The Director will support the visioning, developing, and implementation of strategic plans for the Institutional Improvement department. The Director serves as an expert supporting Institutional Improvement Services for the organization, collaborating within and across divisions to support the organization's work with institutions in need of intensive support and improvement.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES:

• Contribute to and implement the strategic plans for the Institutional Improvement department.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in Institutional Improvement (e.g., standards, protocols, integrity of staff, fidelity of process, quality of product).
• Serve as resource/support subject matter expert for Institutional Improvement and guidance for pursuing contracts for services (e.g., RFPs, solution summaries, partnership agreements).
• Support the development of Institutional Improvement products and services.
• Support the development of training and other intellectual properties associated with Institutional Improvement.
• Recruit, train, manage, and mentor volunteers and contractors to build an effective, engaged, and sustainable cadre to support the implementation of Institutional Improvement services.
• Deliver high quality professional development to staff, institution leadership teams, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead review processes as a model of quality service.
• Build Cognia's capacity for quality Institutional Improvement Services implementation.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen effective relationships that support collaboration with all divisions of Cognia through project support, communication, and customer service.
• Assure excellence in processes and service to support consultants and institutional leaders. Further relationships and partnership initiatives with key thought leaders in Institutional Improvement Services for intensive support and improvement.
• Provide ongoing reports to the Senior Vice President and Senior Directors of Institutional Improvement.
• Assist in implementing and communicating the organization's strategic plan.
• Foster positive and collaborative working relationships within Evaluation & Improvement Services Division and across the organization to accomplish organization-wide goals.
• Perform duties and fulfill responsibilities that may, from time to time, include related or unrelated tasks.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required; advanced degree preferred with specialization in Education Leadership
• Minimum of five (5) years' successful experience in an educational environment providing leadership for intensive improvement initiatives or in an area related to the field of expertise of the position within Institutional Improvement required
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a supervisory role required
• Proven record of successfully assessing educational institutions' capabilities and needs to inform appropriate solutions for improving learning and organizational effectiveness in educational environments
• Successful record of building relationships and/or strategic partnerships to accomplish educational improvement goals
• Experience leading, developing, and expanding educational institution improvement programs and services
• Proven ability to organize and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously within established timelines
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective and collegial working relationships with staff, peers, senior leadership, and external partners
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of education, quality learning environments, curriculum and effective instruction, program development and evaluation, learning assessment and diagnosis, adult learning, and research related to teaching and learning

Competencies:

• Strong oral and excellent written communication skills
• Strong presentation and speaking skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings with a variety of education provider stakeholders
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, executing and accomplishing strategic plans that substantively contribute to the attainment of the organization's goals and objectives
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and perform in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

Anticipated Travel (may include local, national, and/or international travel):

• Significant travel (20-40%)
• Travel to Annual All Staff Company Meeting required

At Cognia, we recognize the critical role played by our teams in carrying out the organization's important educational mission. As a reflection of that recognition our exceptional benefits offerings include generous paid time off and holiday breaks, comprehensive insurance plans, and a 12.5% retirement savings contribution which is immediately vested, all effective on your date of hire. This represents a strong commitment by the organization to attract and retain the highest quality workforce - to ensure our continued ability to effectively serve our mission for years to come.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristics protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. Cognia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.