Seton Education Partners seeks a faith-filled, mission-driven, results-oriented leader to be the founding Regional Executive Director for NYC Schools. The Regional Executive Director will lead and manage the growth of a new network of urban public charter schools, and will oversee the expansion of a vibrantly Catholic, extended day faith formation program. We are looking for a dynamic executive and educational leader who understands what it takes for underserved children to achieve strong academic results. We are looking for a spiritual leader who wants to share the beauty of the Catholic faith with children and families who do not have access to a Catholic education. We seek a motivated entrepreneur who wants to build a network of schools that help underserved children develop the virtue, knowledge, and skills necessary to earn a college degree and pursue lives of value, faith, and integrity.

Background
Seton Education Partners is launching a new network of K-8 public charter schools in underserved neighborhoods in New York City where traditional Catholic schools are being closed. Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools in America, which have served the economically disadvantaged so well for decades.

In 2013, Seton launched Brilla College Prep in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the South Bronx. Brilla, which means “shine” in Spanish, has achieved academic growth results that parallel the nation’s strongest charter schools. Alongside Brilla, Seton launched El Camino, an optional, extended day Catholic faith formation program. Seton now seeks to take these remarkable achievements to scale by helping to launch and manage a network of Brilla schools and El Camino extended day programs, to ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically superior, character-building, and faith-nurturing education. This network will serve as a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve the poor. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About Brilla College Prep
Brilla College Prep began with 200 kindergarten and first graders, and has grown to serve 440 children in grades K-4. Roughly two-thirds of Brilla scholars are Latino, and one third are African American; over 80% qualify for the federal meals program. About one in five students are English Language Learners, and one in five has special needs. Brilla implements the Core Knowledge Scope and Sequence, Love and Logic, and a unique way to help children (and staff) grow in virtue. Two more campuses of Brilla will be launching in fall 2017, including Brilla’s first middle school (serving our current 4^th graders as 5^th graders), and a second elementary school.
 

Inspired by the results of some of the nation’s best urban schools, Brilla schools are built on six cornerstones—high expectations, results matter, lead with character, choice & commitment, more time, and teach the best content.

1)    High Expectations. Because we believe in the inherent dignity and potential of every child, we have high expectations for our students’ academic achievement and conduct that make no excuses based on their background or socio-economic status.

2)    Results Matter. We relentlessly focus on high student performance on standardized tests and other objective measures because we hold ourselves accountable for preparing students personally and academically in ways that will enable them to succeed at the best high schools and colleges.

3)    Lead with Character. Good character makes for a meaningful life, produces lasting personal and social happiness and contributes to academic success. The development of the virtues of Justice, Self-control, Good Judgment, Courage and Kindness in students is central to our educational mission.

4)    Choice & Commitment. Students, their parents and the faculty of our schools will make a choice to participate in our unique and innovative program. Everyone must make and uphold a commitment to put in the time and effort required to achieve success.

5)    More Time. There are no shortcuts. Only with expanded instructional time will students have the time to acquire the academic knowledge, skills and habits that will prepare them for success in college and in life.

6)    Teach the Best Content. All students will learn math and science while also becoming familiar with the classics of Western Civilization, because of the way the traditional liberal arts convey truth, beauty, and goodness, and because students need the world’s best content in order to become good citizens and be competitive globally.

About El Camino
El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, offers engaging Catholic faith formation either before or after each school day. It uses athletics, music, and art as a means to help children develop good character and habits of virtue; to know, love, and serve Christ; and to learn the beauty of the teachings of the Catholic faith. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. The program is modeled after a much smaller and very successful pilot program that Seton launched in Oakland, CA, which is showcased in this video: http://vimeo.com/50299359.

El Camino serves over 180 kindergarten through fourth-grade children for two and a half hours, Monday through Thursday. Each day children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 45 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation.

El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year. In the fall of 2017, we will be launching a new morning program for kindergarteners, and a new middle school program.
 About the Position

Working directly with Seton’s Managing Director, the Executive Director for NYC Schools is part of Seton’s senior leadership team. Building on the strong foundation of Brilla College Prep and El Camino, the ED will lead an ambitious plan to dramatically expand the number of children we serve. The ED will provide the vision, strategic guidance, and management necessary for the successful growth of a new network of outstanding charter schools and extended day faith formation programs, mindful of the following questions:

• How does the Network maintain and improve upon the academic results achieved so far while pursuing growth?
• What systems need to be created or enhanced to support a Network that is growing from one school to many?
• How do you build and nurture a strong culture across the Network as new schools emerge?
• How will the Network address human capital issues related to recruiting and retaining strong teachers and school leaders?
• What is the long-term real estate strategy to support the expansion of the Network?
• How will the Network pursue a path towards financial sustainability, wisely invest resources, and secure additional funding to support the Network’s robust programming and long-term growth?

The ED will provide oversight and support to the Head of School of Brilla (who will oversee three School Leaders). The ED will also manage the provision of services to Network schools to include mission integration and alignment, education and instruction-related support, business administration and operations, human resource and employment related services, budgeting and financial reporting, and fundraising. The ED will also oversee El Camino, which will be operating at three campuses by fall 2017, and El Camino’s future expansion.

In addition, the ED will assume non-traditional job responsibilities. He or she is expected to engage in ongoing faith formation as well as in the study of Catholic teachings. The ED must not only grasp the complexities of urban education but also have a sound foundation in the Catholic theological tradition, particularly as it relates to the Church's understanding of virtue and the call to holiness, mission of education, and service to the poor.

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics
Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• You have unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values
• You take personal responsibility
• You have a strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• You are a faith-filled and practicing Catholic, who understands and honors the teachings of the Catholic Church and is passionate about sharing the Catholic faith
• You have a relentless drive for excellence
• You have an unwavering determination to be better today than you were yesterday

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• Track record of leadership including at least five years successfully managing a complex, high-performing organization, division or project. Specific experience in a multi-site, high growth environment is preferred. Can point to tangible examples of one or more of the following:

• Improving student academic and character outcomes while simultaneously transforming an organization and its culture
• Successfully collaborating with strong, autonomous leaders resulting in the achievement of key organizational objectives
• Managing effectively during rapid growth

• Experience building and managing high-performing teams, and proven ability to coach others towards becoming superb leaders of their own teams
• Demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly, succinctly and persuasively
• Experience managing multiple priorities from a variety of stakeholders, organizing and prioritizing effectively to impact areas of greatest need
• Experience with organizational strategic planning
• Experience with effective Catholic evangelization and faith formation for children
• Proven track record of fundraising, including securing major gifts and grants (preferred)
• Experience working with boards or other governance bodies (preferred)
• Experience with elementary and middle grades, the Core Knowledge® Scope and Sequence, and/or classical liberal arts education (preferred)

Competencies & Beliefs

Proves the Possible

• Possesses an unshakable, deeply held personal belief that children growing up in low-income communities can achieve at high levels and can demonstrate exceptional personal character
• Makes decisions and enables others to make decisions based on what is best for children
• Has a vision for educating the whole child—mind, body, and soul—and takes ultimate responsibility for ensuring both academic performance and character growth in children

Drives Results

• Drives relentlessly to achieve exceptional outcomes on behalf of children, and does so by demonstrating clear intellect, setting and achieving goals, and managing with grit and tenacity 
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial environment that involves high energy and rapid change, yet understands how to bring structure to chaos by building the systems and infrastructure for efficient operations
• Constantly focuses on identifying opportunities to learn and grow, and proactively seeks to supplement strong instincts with new ideas and best practices

Builds Relationships & Leads People

• Operates with an exceptional level of self-awareness, humility and integrity in all interactions
• Honors the inherent dignity of every person, and builds relationships marked by trust and respect

• Inspires, develops, and effectively manages staff to achieve extraordinary results for children, and offers staff a clear vision and direction
• Establishes a culture of transparency, communication, accountability and excellence

Manages Operations

• Increases the efficiency and effectiveness of operations in order to drive even stronger results in school performance
• Creates operational systems, human capital systems and instructional programs that are scalable and sustainable

Roles and Responsibilities
The Executive Director of NYC Schools will lead the Brilla School Network and ensure that all Network schools achieve outstanding academic and character outcomes for the children they serve. The ED is responsible for the high quality performance, instruction, strategic growth, sustainability and culture of the Network and its schools. As the Network grows in size and complexity, the ED will work closely with instructional and operational leaders to ensure that the overall strategy is ambitious, comprehensive, and actionable, and that it continuously leads to innovation, improvement, and measurable results. The ED will also oversee the growth of El Camino. The specific responsibilities of the ED include:

Own and execute on the Network’s vision

• Work with the local Board, key funders and partners, and the leadership team to hone the strategic vision for growth and the plan to accomplish it.
• Set clear academic, character, growth, operational, and financial goals and manage to them; adapt as necessary given changes in internal and external environment.

Build and manage a high-performing Network team that is able to support schools to deliver transformational educational, character and faith outcomes for children

• In conjunction with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Recruitment Manager, recruit and develop talent across the Network, including School Leaders, Assistant Principals, teachers and Network support team members.
• Build and support a strong, cohesive culture that reflects the Six Cornerstones and leads to an aligned Network identity. Drive alignment across the Network’s schools (including curriculum and instructional alignment), and provide key supports that drive academic achievement and character development.
• In conjunction with the Character Lead, further develop the Network’s unique approach to forming children and adults in virtue.
• Build and support strong and consistent accountability systems to ensure Network progress toward shared goals.
• Ensure that the entire Network is aligned around the growth strategy and that school teams understand both the benefits of growth and their role in expansion.
• Ensure that Network-level staff members operate in a fair, transparent and client-focused manner when supporting and interacting with schools.
• In conjunction with the head of El Camino, ensure the quality and Catholicity of the extended day faith formation program, and its effective complement to the goals of Brilla.

Build the short and long-term organizational capacity and brand required for excellence, sustainability and growth

• Develop, maintain or improve Network-wide systems to meet the varied needs of a rapidly-growing organization, including budget planning, financial management, compliance, human resources (including teacher and school leader recruitment and development), contract negotiations, facilities management, vendor management, fundraising and marketing, legal, and information technology.
• Ensure that the Network has a viable long-term financial plan and a diversified and sustainable funding base. As necessary, manage development efforts to meet ambitious annual goals by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting public, individual and foundation sources of giving. In particular, ensure that schools are maximizing all public revenue sources.
• Oversee marketing efforts, branding initiatives, and advocacy work on behalf of the Network at local, state, and national levels.

Engage key constituents to build strategic support for Network schools

• Serve as the public face of the Brilla Schools Network and El Camino.
• Continue to develop a strong, engaged, and active local Board in close partnership with the Board chair.
• Build coalitions, relationships, and partnerships with key stakeholders in support of the Network’s mission and goals. This group of stakeholders includes the local school district, charter authorizer, parents, donors, community members, and leaders of community and political organizations.

Diversity & Inclusivity
We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.