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Portfolio Director

Position description 

Great MN Schools is hiring for a Portfolio Director to support schools on their paths to ensure every student they serve meets their full potential. Currently Great MN Schools works with schools in Minneapolis that collectively serve over 9,000 students. Approximately 90% of the students who attend our portfolio and partner schools are students of color, and 75% qualify for free and reduced lunch. The team of three Portfolio Directors works closely together to support the leadership teams at these schools in articulating and implementing student-centered improvement plans. We typically engage in multi-year partnerships with schools, and support them through ongoing thought partnership, direct funding, and access to best-in-class strategic interventions. This Director will lead Great MN School’s climate and culture work, and family engagement work with schools. The Portfolio Director position will report to the CEO. Key activities include:

 

School Support

  • Provide ongoing strategic support to 3-5 schools networks within GMS investment portfolio, managing deep partnerships with school leadership and working in collaboration with the other members of the GMS team to provide support to your schools in eliminating roadblocks as they arise
  • Support schools across the GMS portfolio in building strong and sustainable adult and student cultures / climates
  • Evaluate schools for ongoing investment and prepare investment analyses, proposals, and recommendations for CEO and Board of Directors

 

Whole Child

  • Lead efforts to build out school supports to strengthen culture and climate based on the Science of Learning and Development and Equitable Whole Child design
  • Lead a multi-year program for portfolio schools to establish and sustain environments that incorporate:
    • Aligned purpose, mission and vision
    • Inclusive and distributive leadership
    • Positive developmental relationships, structures, and interactions
    • Supportive environments filled with safety and belonging
    • Integrated development of skills, habits, and mindsets
  • Identify, engage, and manage relationships with potential third-party consultants and providers who can support schools in building out strong culture and climate
  • Track school progress metrics and periodically evaluate effectiveness of program and specific interventions to support continual improvement

 

Family Engagement

  • Support schools to better engage families as authentic partners through better student data sharing and family engagement practices, in collaboration with the Director of Community Resources
  • Create tools and supports to help schools and teachers leverage the Great MN Schools Minnesota Standards Family Guides
  • Manage existing family engagement strategic interventions (Learning Heroes Family Engagement Leadership Institute cohort, for example) and seek out additional family engagement strategic supports for schools, as needed

 

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has at least 10 years of professional experience demonstrating a commitment to meaningful change in K-12 schools, including at least 5 years in school leadership. The candidate is strategic, detail oriented, able to juggle multiple projects at once, enjoys working in a team setting, and brings a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens to their work. This person is passionate about education and closing education opportunity gaps in Minneapolis. They bring the following skills and personal characteristics:

Knowledge and Skills

  • Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to identify impactful opportunities for shared work toward common goals
  • Demonstrated ability to coach leaders in school improvement strategies and change management
  • Experience designing and executing strong school cultural practices based on (or similar to) the Science of Learning and Development or Whole Child context
  • Experience building strong systems to support the family/school partnership
  • Experience in and expertise working across lines of difference, particularly in racially and ethnically diverse settings
  • Experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously with strong attention to detail, ability to operate independently and in collaboration with others
  • Demonstrated ability to manage timelines and meet deadlines, and proactively identify problems and potential solutions, resulting in an ability to move forward work in a fluid environment with significant flexibility
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills
  • Experience collaborating with external consultants and contractors
  • Experience using a variety of technology platforms, including Microsoft Office, Dropbox, Zoom, and project management software
  • Understanding of the local K-12 education landscape and relevant education organizations; public school experience, relationships and credibility in the Twin Cities landscape is preferred
  • Experience with preparing grant proposals and/or conducting grant reviews is preferred

 

Personal characteristics

  • Strong commitment to Great MN Schools’ mission and vision to transform K-12 education so that children of all races, means, and origins access excellent and equitable schools:
    • Mission—Ensure every child attends a great school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and community.
    • Values—Honesty, Inclusivity, Intentionality, Courage, and Collaboration
  • Passion for ensuring that schools are meeting the needs of all students, including passion for fostering school environments that are grounded in shared values, and create a sense of belonging and connection for all students
  • Growth mindset
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and learn quickly and adapt to changing circumstances
  • Strong work ethic, results orientation, and a high bar for quality and accuracy
  • Ability to apply an equity lens in their work and actively participate in the organization’s DEI work
  • Commitment to collaboration, a team-orientation, and enthusiastic, positive energy

Location

Great MN Schools offices in the North Loop Minneapolis WeWork office located at 729 N Washington Ave. Team members are expected to work from the office three days a week (currently all staff are in the office Tuesday and Wednesday and one day of your choice).

Compensation
$110,000-$130,000, plus a competitive benefits package, including 401K match, health, vision, and dental insurance, disability coverage, and access to HSA and FSA plans. Employees are also eligible for the team bonus program, designed to support collaboration and collective ownership, and to recognize shared impact on organizational goals.

Apply by August 1, 2023

Please fill out this form to share your interest in the position.

Great MN Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity within our team. We encourage applicants who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled