Executive Director of Diverse Learners Support

About the role

Executive Director of Diverse Learners Support

Position Overview

NOLA Public Schools seeks an Executive Director of Diverse Learners Support to drive strategic initiatives for charter schools across New Orleans. This role operates under the guidance of the Senior Chief Student Support Officer. The Executive Director will foster continual improvement within the charter ecosystem by developing and implementing policies that enhance organizational effectiveness and student achievement. Success in this position requires entrepreneurial thinking, strong analytical skills, and a dedication to solving complex challenges in partnership with diverse stakeholders. The focus will be on maximizing impact at both the district and school levels. Priority areas include teacher and school leader talent pipelines, English Language Learners, shared services, and operational efficiencies.

Compensation

Salary offers for this role are established based on a candidate's education, professional experience, and market alignment with comparable positions in the district. This structured approach ensures transparency and equity in the hiring process.

Work Environment

The position is based in an office/school setting and requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Key environmental demands include regular use of fine motor skills for tasks such as keyboarding, occasional handling of objects up to 30 pounds, and minimal exposure to physical occupational risks. The role involves working indoors primarily, though exposure to typical office and school environments may occur.

Performance Evaluation

Employee performance will be assessed using the district's established evaluation framework, which may include the COMPASS/LEADS system for those holding Educational Leadership certification.

EEOC Statement

NOLA Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Executive Director of Diverse Learners Support is responsible for leading complex initiatives that support diverse learners across charter schools. Key duties include:

• Partnering with school leaders to improve organizational effectiveness and student achievement through targeted professional development and oversight of shared service models.
• Creating and facilitating Communities of Practice for Special Education Leaders and other key groups to enhance outcomes for diverse learners.
• Developing innovative, evidence-based solutions to address emerging challenges within schools and the broader district.
• Drafting policies and operational plans that connect district strategy with on-the-ground school needs.
• Collaborating with state and local partners to use expertise and resolve school-level issues.
• Working cross-functionally with NOLA-PS divisions to improve program delivery and operational efficiency.
• Communicating effectively with internal teams, external partners, and a wide range of stakeholders.
• Analyzing and utilizing data to guide policy decisions and measure impact.
• Overseeing the implementation of the Special Education Ombudsman role to support schools and families.
• Responding to charter school accountability matters in collaboration with the Accountability team.
• Ensuring compliance and quality within Specialized Programming.
• Performing other duties as assigned to meet organizational goals.

Education and Experience

• Possession of a Master's Degree in Special Education or a closely related field.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience.
• Prior work within charter school environments is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state and national best practices for supporting diverse learners.
• Experience in school leadership roles, such as teacher leader, administrator, or principal, is preferred.
• Familiarity with special education regulations and Louisiana charter school policy is highly valued.
• Previous experience with shared services models is a significant asset.
• In-depth knowledge of charter school authorization processes is preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong public speaking and presentation abilities, with capacity to tailor messages to varied audiences.
• Proficiency with standard office technology, including Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word and Excel.
• High-level organizational, planning, and multitasking capabilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.
• Robust information-gathering and monitoring skills.
• Aptitude for problem analysis and solution-oriented thinking.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships with numerous partners.
• Sound judgment and decisive decision-making capabilities.
• Self-motivation and the discipline to execute projects independently.
• Resilience and professionalism when working under pressure, maintaining confidentiality, and managing client interactions with tact and diplomacy.

What you'll do

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