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Senior Executive Director of Data and Accountability (Anticipated Vacancy) (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools
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This position is an anticipated vacancy. It is expected to be vacant. However, the current incumbent has a right to rescind their retirement, leave, or resignation up until the day of the expected vacancy date. Your hire will not be confirmed until the position is vacated, and you may start the year as a Long-Term Substitute if the position does not become vacant by the start of the school year.

 

REPORTS TO: Chief of Data, Information and Systems Improvement


 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Executive Director leads the Office of Data and Accountability within the Division of Data, Information and Systems Improvement of the Boston Public Schools, reporting to the Chief of Data, Information and Systems Improvement.  The Senior Executive Director is responsible for the planning, coordination and overall implementation of research, evaluation, data reporting, testing and accountability services, projects and activities in the district with emphasis on improved decision making and accountability to advance the mission of the Boston Public Schools.  The position will have a particular emphasis on directing the district’s data collection and analysis system by facilitating and supporting the maximum use of data in continuous improvement efforts of district and school teams. 


 

The Senior Executive Director will oversee the Office of Data and Accountability, a department of over 25 FTE, and serve as a leader within the Division of Data, Information and Systems Improvement and will play an integral role in designing and implementing the enterprise data strategy for the district, which will incorporate both academic and operational data. They will also serve as a strategic advisor to the executive leadership of the district, including the superintendent and deputy superintendents.


 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Department and Division Leadership 

  • Lead execution of department strategic vision and day-to-day operations.
  • Directly supervise ODA Directors and additional staff members, as needed. Hold regular supervisory and project check-ins with designated staff members, provide ongoing feedback to ensure continued professional growth and excellence, and serve as a thought partner and advisor.
  • Serve on the leadership team of the Division of Data, Information and Systems Improvement to promote collaboration and ensure cohesion across the division.
  • Oversee planning and facilitation of department meetings in partnership with the ODA leadership team.
  • Represent the department and the district in meetings, at events, in working groups with external and internal partners, and to stakeholders.
  • Oversee department hiring, budgeting, and policy-making.
  • Perform other duties as requested by the Chief of Data, Information and Systems Improvement

Data Reporting, Research and Evaluation

  • Identify areas for new analyses that are aligned to the district’s strategic priorities and provide actionable insights to leadership to inform policy recommendations.
  • Inform the development of and operationalization of the district strategic plan by overseeing thoughtful, rigorous data analysis to answer key questions in areas including equity and opportunity gaps within student academic performance, resource allocation, and college, career and life readiness.
  • Establish the district’s research agenda to ensure research projects benefit the BPS and advance educational equity, opportunity, and achievement for all students.
  • Serve as the district’s liaison with DESE in all matters related to data reporting, accountability and assessment, and advocate for policy changes as necessary.
  • Approve all external data sharing for programmatic and evaluative purposes on behalf of the district and ensure adherence to state and federal regulations regarding data privacy.
  • Responsible for the planning, coordination and overall implementation of research, evaluation, testing and accountability services, projects and activities in the district with emphasis on improved decision making and accountability.

Assessment Strategy

  • Support the development of a coherent and aligned system of high-quality assessments that produce meaningful data, have clearly-articulated purposes, represent appropriate rigor, and are valued by educators, students, and families.
  • Oversee procurement of high-quality assessments that result in a comprehensive and balanced assessment system.
  • Collaborate with members of the Academics Division in order to ensure coordination and seamless alignment of curriculum and assessment.

Strategic Use of Data 

  • Directs the district’s data collection and analysis system of academic and operational data by facilitating and supporting the maximum use of data in continuous improvement efforts of district and school teams.
  • Support schools and district leadership in reaching goals by designing and implementing a planned program of evaluation, accountability, and assessment structures related to the ongoing development of instructional and other student-related programs.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor, functional expert and thought partner to cabinet members and the district executive team regarding practical data use, strategies, initiatives, and issues.
  • Facilitate data-driven conversations with key district leaders about how to improve school performance, and support network-level continuous improvement cycles within school networks, centered on aligned system goals.
  • In coordination with other central office services, support the strategic and differentiated deployment of Accelerated Improvement and Inquiry Managers (AIIMs) to schools based on student need as well as adult and operational readiness. Support monitoring of implementation fidelity in the subset of schools receiving intensive coaching.

Data Governance Strategy

  • Oversee the implementation of strong data governance practices, with a focus on ensuring access to high quality, longitudinal data that can be utilized for research and evaluation
  • Develop and implement data governance frameworks, including policies, standards, and procedures to guide data management across the organization.
  • Lead cross-functional working groups through the process of adoption and implementation of data governance frameworks.
  • Establish and enforce data policies and standards for data collection, storage, use, and sharing to ensure consistency and compliance.
  • Promote data literacy and collaboration by educating staff on governance principles and working cross-functionally with business, IT, and other stakeholders.
  • Establish procedural guidelines for the accurate collection of data across the district, including academic and operational areas.

Qualifications - Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field
  • Minimum of 5 years experience analyzing K–12 education data. 
  • Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience managing a team to achieve ambitious outcomes.
  • Proficiency in at least one coding language, preferably SQL, Stata or R.
  • Strong analytic and data systems management skills, and attention to detail.  
  • Experience coaching others to adjust and improve their work processes, both in supervisory positions and in positions without formal positional authority.
  • Ability and demonstrated experience facilitating user centered design processes, gathering and responding to feedback from users over the course of a project. 
  • Commitment to the belief that all students can learn and to the mission of educational equity.
  • Excellent time management skills, experience balancing competing priorities, and prioritizing resources. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and think at a systems level
  • Strong customer service focus
  • The ability to explain complex analytical concepts to lay persons in clear and concise easy to understand terms.
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills as demonstrated by the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with principals, teachers, colleagues, and diverse community members
  • Track record of success in a complex organization reflecting proactive problem-solving.
  • An understanding of and commitment to gain greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to demonstrate continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. 
  • Demonstrated capability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, such as school- based staff, central administration staff, families, youth, community members, community agencies and other essential partners while remaining student-centered, prioritizing racial equity and managing competing demands.
  • Current authorization to work in the United States
  • An understanding of and commitment to gain greater understanding of what is necessary for an urban school system to enjoy continuous improvement in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. 
  • A deeply held and unyielding belief in the overarching mission of public education.

Qualifications - Preferred:

  • Master’s Degree in related field
  • Knowledge of the Ed-Fi data standard
  • Familiarity and experience working within the city of Boston and Boston Public Schools
  • BPS has a strong preference for linguistic diversity, and we believe that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali. 

UNION/MANAGERIAL/RESIDENCY REQUIRED: Managerial


 

Terms: E81


 

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the ADA for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at accommodations@bostonpublicschools.org.