Position description 

Great MN Schools is hiring 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. The Portfolio Director position will report to the VP of Schools. Key activities include:

• Build deep, trusting relationships with a portfolio of 5–7 school networks within the GMS investment portfolio
• Support schools in developing and implementing strategic improvement plans, and in identifying and eliminating roadblocks to progress
• Provide guidance across all aspects of school management, including academics, leadership development, change management, school culture, family engagement, operations, finance, and governance
• Collaborate with the GMS team to align support and share insights across the school portfolio
• Stay informed on research, best practices, and emerging trends and opportunities in the education sector
• Support the design and implementation of high-quality talent management systems, including oversight of a Talent Cohort and collaboration with talent pipeline partners
• Develop and implement strategic programming solutions that respond to school-specific challenges and broader portfolio-wide patterns
• Contribute to storytelling and communication efforts that capture progress and elevate learning
• Evaluate schools for ongoing investment and prepare investment analyses, proposals, and recommendations for the CEO and Board of Directors
• Review school performance data and track progress metrics, evaluating the effectiveness of programs and interventions to inform continuous improvement

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 takes initiative, thinks strategically, is detail oriented, able to juggle multiple projects at once, and enjoys working in a team setting. This person is passionate about education and closing education opportunity gaps in Minneapolis. They bring the following skills and personal characteristics:

Knowledge and Skills:

Strategic Decision-Making & Prioritization

• Demonstrates a deep and nuanced understanding of the conditions that promote student learning, grounded in personal experience leading a team to create those conditions.
• Skilled at assessing school improvement trajectories and identifying high-leverage opportunities.
• Exercises sound judgment to determine what to fund, stop, or redesign for maximum return on investment.

Stakeholder Influence & Relationship Management

• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence; experienced in working effectively across lines of racial, linguistic, and cultural difference.
• Skilled in building trust and credibility with internal and external partners to align around shared goals.
• Demonstrates the ability to influence and motivate others to adopt new priorities.
• Prepares clear, strategic investment analyses and recommendations for senior leaders and the Board to inform high-impact decisions.
• Communicates progress and results in ways that generate enthusiasm and strengthen organizational credibility.
• Experienced in collaborating with consultants, contractors, and diverse stakeholders to drive shared outcomes.

Program & Partnership Management

• Adept at managing complex projects with clarity, collaboration, and strong communication.
• Able to manage timelines and meet deadlines while navigating ambiguity and competing demands.
• Skilled in developing strategic partnerships through ecosystem mapping, clear scopes of work, and outcome-aligned MOUs.
• Experienced in selecting and managing vendors and partners using defined indicators and performance goals.
• Comfortable using a variety of digital tools, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Zoom, and project management platforms.

Data-Driven Decision-Making & Learning

• Demonstrates a strong grasp of assessment and data systems for Tier 1 instruction, especially in low-proficiency contexts.
• Skilled at simplifying complex data systems and supporting leaders in focusing on high-impact metrics.
• Uses data to inform decision-making, support continuous improvement, and foster organizational learning.
• Experienced in preparing or evaluating grant proposals and performance reports tied to measurable impact.

Talent Pipeline Strategy

• Skilled in designing systems to attract, develop, and retain strong teachers and school leaders.
• Demonstrates expertise in adult learning design, coaching structures, and competency frameworks.
• Applies talent analytics to understand impact, retention, and leadership readiness.
• Able to identify talent pipeline gaps and strengthen aligned partnerships through targeted ecosystem analysis.
• Brings a strong understanding of the K–12 education landscape, with experience in charter schools and knowledge of the Twin Cities education community strongly preferred.

Personal characteristics

• Deep belief in Great MN Schools’ mission to ensure every child attends a great school that prepares them to thrive in life, career, and community
• Passion for fostering school environments where all students feel a sense of belonging, connection, and shared purpose
• Strong alignment with our core values: Honesty, Inclusivity, Intentionality, Courage, and Collaboration
• Growth mindset with a strong appetite for feedback, learning, and continuous improvement
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; quickly adapts to new information and shifting priorities
• High personal bar for quality, accuracy, and results; brings a strong work ethic and disciplined follow-through
• Team-oriented, highly collaborative, and brings positive energy and enthusiasm to collective work

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 two days a week (currently all staff are in the office Tuesday and Wednesday).

Compensation
$110,000-$135,000, 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 September 8, 2025

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 disabledholds with low incomes to apply.

About Great MN Schools

We work to ensure that every child attends an excellent and equitable school that prepares them to thrive in their lives, careers, and communities.   

Great schools that enroll kids from low-income backgrounds make a difference. These students grow academically at twice the rate, are twice as likely to graduate, and are six times as likely to earn a postsecondary degree. We focus on developing and sustaining great schools in Minneapolis for all students through:  

• Creating more high-performing schools for underserved communities. Our school-centered approach starts with identifying schools with strong leaders and culture and helping them diagnose their strengths and gaps. We facilitate the development of a strategic roadmap and surround schools with support to ensure the implementation of strategic interventions and evidence-based solutions. 
• Building community partnerships to support underserved families’ ability to navigate K-12 systems. We work with community organizations to provide families with helpful tools and resources, resulting in families choosing better options for their children, stronger family-school relationships, and stronger schools.
• Advancing proven solutions toward more high-performing schools. We elevate what’s possible and engage the community as partners in change.  

By working alongside schools and supporting families, we’re committed to transforming education equity for students—of all backgrounds—and elevating what’s possible.