Description

The Senior Executive Officer of School Leadership and Operations develops and supports school leaders while ensuring operational excellence across all Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). This role builds the leadership capacity of principals and Assistant Superintendents through coaching, mentoring, and systematic professional development while overseeing effective school operations. The Senior Executive Officer of School Leadership and Operations creates and implements a clear vision for leadership development that enhances professional capacity, provides exposure to transformative experiences, and prepares leaders to improve long-term student outcomes. Working in partnership with the Senior Executive Academic Officer, this position creates an integrated support model that ensures principals receive both instructional and operational leadership development. The Senior Executive Officer of School Leadership and Operations establishes systems to identify, prepare, place, and retain exceptional school leaders who create cultures of high expectations and eliminate racially predictable achievement disparities.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports directly to the Superintendent.

The following positions report to the Senior Executive Officer of School Leadership and Operations:

Four Assistant Superintendents with oversight of schools
Assistant Superintendent, Special Education and Support Services
Athletic Director

For full position details, please visit Careers@spps.org and review job number 1022318.

Requirements

Five years of experience in school leadership, including assignments as a building principal with demonstrated success leading school improvement initiatives.
At least three years of experience supervising or directing the work of principals.
At least three years of district level leadership experience.
Master's degree in Educational Administration/Leadership or related field.
Must hold or be able to obtain a valid Minnesota Superintendent license.

Preferred Qualifications

Five or more years of experience supervising or directing the work of principals.
Five or more years of district level leadership experience.
Experience building comprehensive leadership development systems in large urban school districts.
Experience as an Assistant Superintendent or in a comparable district leadership role.
Track record of developing leaders from diverse backgrounds and creating inclusive leadership pipelines.
Experience working in districts with similar demographics and challenges to Saint Paul Public Schools.
Coaching certification or formal training in leadership development (e.g., certified executive coach, leadership coaching program).
Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership, or related field.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical and mental demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Physical Requirements

While primarily a sedentary executive role, the position requires physical mobility to engage with schools across the district.

Mobility: Ability to travel frequently to various school sites (69 schools and programs), district offices, and community locations.
Dexterity: Regular use of a computer, smartphone, and other technology tools for communication and data analysis.
Stamina: Capacity to endure long work hours, including early morning meetings, evening board sessions, and occasional weekend community events.
Communication: Clear oral communication is essential for coaching sessions, public speaking, and leading large-scale professional development.
Vision/Hearing: Must be able to observe classroom environments, review complex data reports, and actively listen during one-on-one coaching and high-stakes meetings.
Mental Requirements

This role carries a high cognitive load, requiring advanced emotional intelligence and strategic thinking.

Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret complex student performance data, identify trends, and design district-wide systems for leadership excellence.
Emotional Intelligence: High capacity for empathy, tact, and patience when coaching senior leaders and managing sensitive personnel or racial equity issues.
Crisis Management: Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure when leading crisis responses or managing operational emergencies.
Adaptability: Must be able to switch rapidly between instructional coaching, budget management, policy development, and community relations.
Accountability & Decision Making: Evaluating the performance of 69 schools and making difficult decisions regarding leadership transitions and resource allocation.
Ethical Leadership: Maintaining a strong sense of ethics and professional values while navigating the political complexities of a large urban district.