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Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation

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Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation

Salary

$145,000.00 - $150,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

1693-ExDir-SQS-1025

Department

Department of Education

Division

School Quality & Support

Opening Date

10/07/2025

Closing Date

10/13/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

Downtown/Denver Metro/Eligible for a hybrid (office/remote) work environment.***

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

[email protected]

Salary Note

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Department Information

This position is not part of the classified personnel system, applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado.

Incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Please Note - As of August 27, 2025, a hiring freeze is in effect for the Colorado Executive Branch. State agencies will be allowed to finalize the hiring process only if a position has been posted by August 27, 2025.

Although the hiring freeze does not apply to the Colorado Department of Education, our agency is committed to acting in accordance with the objectives of the hiring freeze and only hiring positions that have been vetted and determined to be an essential need.

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education (https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeboard) , CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

Why Work For CDE

The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!

The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

+ Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.

+ Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.

+ Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance

+ Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

+ 11 paid holidays per year

+ Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals

+ Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)www.copera.org

+ Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)

+ Paid professional development opportunities

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Description of Job

Work Environment:

This position is Full-time, is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office w/requirement to report to Work location per business needs)

+ Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm

+ Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs

+ 20% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training

+ A Remote (Home) office is required

+ Required to report to the work location per business needs

+ LIGHT/Office environment:

+ Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time

+ May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally

+ Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.

+ Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree

+ DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle (OR State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle/Colorado DL required) to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary:

The Colorado Department of Education is seeking a visionary and experienced education leader to serve as the Executive Director of the newly established Office of Innovation and Improvement. This position will provide strategic leadership and oversight to multiple offices, including those focused on school improvement, charter schools, and blended and online learning. The Executive Director will drive a statewide vision for continuous school improvement, innovation, and support for non-traditional learning environments, with a strong emphasis on leveraging flexibility and innovation.

The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

In person interviews expected the week of Oct 27 or Nov 3.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:.

District and School Improvement

- Lead the development and implementation of a statewide improvement planning system that provides high-quality technical assistance,

support, and accountability for all schools, with a focus on those identified on the state and federal accountability system.

- Lead collaboration with CDE units to ensure various state and federal planning requirements are integrated into the statewide planning

system.

- Manage collaboration with CDE units to ensure accreditation systems are implemented in a streamlined and coherent manner.

- Lead collaboration with School and District Transformation and other CDE units to ensure a coherent and effective system of supports for

schools identified for improvement.

- Manage the implementation of state board hearings for schools and districts furthest along the accountability clock. Develop planning

tools and processes to support district and school leaders in the accountability hearing process.

- Oversee the State Review Panel implementation in support of the state board hearing process.

- Offer strategic direction and guidance to the Charter Schools, Blended/Online Learning, Strategic Transformation, and Continuous Improvement teams in designing effective support for identified schools.

- Collaborate across departments to align efforts in accountability, curriculum, assessment, and educator effectiveness with school

improvement strategies.

Innovation and Flexibility

- Oversee support for charter schools, online, innovation, and other non-traditional educational models, fostering innovation and flexibility within state

guidelines.

- Ensure effective systems for charter school waiver requests and innovation school application systems, integrating planning requirements

for these schools with broader CDE planning systems.

- Lead collaboration with other CDE offices, including school finance, teaching and learning, and Exceptional Student Services to provide

clear guidance and technical support to non-traditional models, clearing the way for innovative practices.

- Guide the integration of innovative tools, practices, and models into CDE’s interventions, particularly for underperforming schools.

- Build relationships with advocates for school choice and innovative school models, both in-state and nationally.

Policy

- Provide leadership and representation for the department in interactions with the State Board of Education, policy stakeholders, and

partner organizations.

- Ensure highly effective annual reporting and public information is available on the impact of innovative school models on student

outcomes

- Contribute to the legislative and rulemaking processes specifically related to accreditation, school transformation, and innovative and school choice models (charter, online, blended, and other innovative models).

Team Leadership

- Lead the School Improvement Team, Charter Schools Office, and Blended and Online learning team, providing strong feedback and

support to the directors and ensure coordinated efforts across the teams.

- Serve as a lead member of the School Quality and Support team and serve as a member of CDE’s Extended Leadership Team.

- Manage the unit budget, including internal and external contracts and budgeting practices.

- Oversee the team responsible for supporting online schools, ensuring program quality and alignment with state standards.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUMEDUCATION ANDEXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

+ Advanced Degree in Education or equivalent field.

+ Required Qualifications- Minimum 12-15 years in K-12 Public Education, must include:

- Minimum 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience at the school, district, and/ or state level, including school or district turnaround or improvement work.

- Strong background in policy implementation, systems design, and leading cross-functional teams through change.

- Experience managing senior-level staff and supervising multiple functional teams.

- High level of change management experience with complex and nuanced communication

- Knowledge of Colorado's educational landscape, including charter schools, online schools, and state accountability systems.

- Proven experience engaging with a State Board or other governance body on complex education initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

- Experience designing or supporting innovative instructional models or governance structures.

- Experience supporting rural school districts, including cross-district collaboration.

- Demonstrated commitment to equity, innovation, and results-driven school improvement.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

+ Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.

+ Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (percentage 20%)

+ Work extended schedule per business needs

+ Report to work location per business needs

+ Valid Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include :

+ Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Colorado) .

+ Cover Letter: Required - Attach

+ Resume: Required - Attach

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.

Email Address:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time-sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries [email protected].

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application.Resumes, Cover Letters, or other required Supplemental Documentation will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement. Have you uploaded and attached your resume, cover letter, and other required documentation to this application?

+ Yes

+ No

02

If you are a current or previous State of Colorado employee (including public Institutions of higher education), please provide your Employee Identification Number (EID) in order to verify your current or previous employment. If you indicated that you are a current State of Colorado employee, please list all State of Colorado Departments or institutions of Higher Education for which you have worked for and your Employee ID (if known): Your EID begins with 997 and is nine digits long. Please do not enter your Social Security Number. If not applicable, please state "N/A".

03

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position. If this does not apply to you, please put "N/A".

04

This position iseligible for a Hybrid flex work place; the incumbent isrequired to maintain a home office within Colorado and report to the office as neededto complete the job duties of this position. Please indicate your understanding and acceptance of this requirement.

05

The salary range listed is the department's good faith range expected to be offered. Are you willing to accept an offer in the range listed in this announcement?

+ Yes.

+ Maybe. I believe my knowledge and skills encompass all of the minimum qualifications, the preferred qualifications, and special requirements of the position. I have detailed this in the work experience section of the application.

06

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.

+ Yes

+ No

07

Are you a current CDE Employee? If so, please send an email to Recruitment to inform us of your application. [email protected]

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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