Isla Executive Director

Executive Director Job Description
Mission:
International Spanish Language Academy, a Pre-K through 5th grade Spanish immersion community, empowers the whole child by nurturing the development of personal growth, strong character, academic excellence, and global vision.
About the Position:
We are seeking an extraordinary individual to lead the International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) into our next phase as a growing school. This individual should have a passion for elementary education, diversity, innovation, and language immersion. The Executive Director will report to the Board of Directors and be responsible for overseeing the entire operation of the school. They will be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the School Board and will participate in Board committees as well. The Executive Director will be supported by an engaged parent community, Board committees, an involved PTO, and a knowledgeable authorizer, IQS. Most importantly, this person will supervise a talented and enthusiastic international staff of globally-minded individuals. ISLA's Executive Director will have successful experience in leadership and embody the International Baccalaureate (IB) attributes that are taught to ISLA students. They will help fulfill ISLA's mission and support ISLA's continued growth.
About the School:
International Spanish Language Academy (ISLA) is a growing Spanish immersion charter school. It opened in the fall of 2007 as a public elementary school and expanded further with a private pre kindergarten program (El Nido) in 2021. It is located in Edina, Minnesota and currently serves just over 400 students in grades PreK-6. ISLA is a public charter school centralizing its focus around full Spanish language immersion programming. This method of instruction, along with a rigorous academic program, provides students with a high level of proficiency in both Spanish and English. ISLA promotes strong character through the International Baccalaureate Organization Primary Years Programme, also referred to as PYP. PYP promotes the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds. The program encompasses social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs in addition to academic success. ISLA values our global community and strives to make connections by respecting and understanding the views, values, and traditions of individuals and cultures. Our school provides a quality education that prepares critically thinking, socially capable, culturally aware young people to thrive in a diverse, global society.
In accordance with MN124E.12, Primary Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive Director Position:
Effective Communication

• Work with administration to ensure there is a developed and effective system of communication among teachers, staff, the School Board, students, and parents
• Articulate educational programs and needs to the community
• Grow ISLA's presence to present and potential stakeholders through English and Spanish media opportunities as well as building relationships

Personnel Leadership

• Ensure that employment legal requirements are met
• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery
• Recruit, interview, and select staff in close partnership with the HR Committee in support of the school's mission
• Ensure that all staff receive appropriate onboarding, training, evaluation, and oversight
• Review and revise staff job descriptions in collaboration with the School Board and HR
• Committee for any leadership and non-classroom positions

Strategic Leadership of Operations

• Oversee execution of ISLA's strategic plan
• Ensure implementation of all school policies
• Collaborate with the Governance Committee when new/revised policies are needed, and/or when there are barriers to executing current policies

Financial Management

• Prepare the overall school budget, and work to ensure all expenditures are within limits and in alignment with school priorities
• Research funding sources, and write funding proposals to increase the financial health of the school 
• Ensure that the school complies with all applicable legal requirements relating to taxation, finances, and withholding payments
• Oversee preparation and dissemination of financial reports to required stakeholders
• Work closely with the school's Business Manager to meet associated deadlines

Legal and Compliance Management

• Work with the school's authorizer (IQS) to ensure compliance with charter school regulations and other applicable laws
• Ensure that personnel, student, and volunteer data are securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained

Community Relationships

• Maintain a positive relationship with the school's authorizer (IQS)
• Oversee the development and implementation of the school marketing plan
• Participate in community affairs to understand the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders
• Attend a reasonable number of student and staff events
• Seek to stay informed about educational policies, practices and trends, especially those that could/would advance the ongoing quality of the ISLA school educational environment

Instruction and Assessment Leadership

• Collaborate closely with members of the administrative team, clearly delineating roles and delegating responsibilities
• Oversee planning, implementation, and evaluation of curricula, programs, and services
• Ensure the curricula, programs, and services offered by ISLA are aligned with the school's mission
• Support direct reports, inclusive of teachers, Dean of Academics, Dean of Students, IB coordinator, administrative assistant and operations manager/bookkeeper, etc.

Equity Championship

• Guide school outreach efforts to build and support the growth of a diverse student population
• Lead and ensure the effectiveness of institutional-level changes to address issues of systemic bias that impact diversity, equity and inclusion
• Engage, inspire, and support the involvement and inclusion of community members in the strategic equity goals

Position Requirements:

• Minnesota administrative licensure or ability to obtain within 2024-2025 school year
• Master's degree, preferably in Education Administration
• Demonstrated executive-level listening, communication, and consensus building skills to drive consensus toward common goals
• Native or near-native bilingual fluency in Spanish and English
• Ability to engage constituents to embody ISLA's values
• A champion of all things ISLA, International Baccalaureate, inquiry, and immersion

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong strategic thinking skills with an ability to manage concurrent projects and to prioritize effectively
• Exceptional communication skills including the ability to motivate staff, students, parents, and community members
• Experience creating and expanding partnerships with community partners, donors, and government agencies
• Strong financial acumen including experience in budgeting, financial planning and reporting, and audit participation
• A proven track record of fundraising from grants, public or private sector opportunities, and/or charitable foundations
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws with regard to charter schools
• Experience maintaining positive and respectful relationships with staff, students, parents, and community members
• Knowledge of and affinity for the philosophy and practices of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme
• Knowledge or experience of the full language immersion concept
• Demonstrated experience and ability to be a strong advocate for the Spanish language and Hispanic/Latino cultures

Application Procedure:
Apply Online