Executive Director of Larchmont Charter

Larchmont Charter School in Los Angeles, California offers a project-based, constructivist curriculum to educate our racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse population. We foster creativity and academic excellence; our students learn with and from each other in an experience-centered, inquiry-based learning environment. With participation from our entire community, we strive to instill in each student a dedication to improving the world we inhabit. With an active and engaged staff and volunteer base, Larchmont Charter is a unique, vibrant and dynamic community fueled by our commitment to provide an unparalleled, culturally rich learning experience.

 

LCS is seeking an Executive Director to help lead us in a new phase of growth as we are beginning another charter school within our governance structure.

 

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall operations of the schools while respecting certain areas of autonomy reserved for the school Principals. The Executive Director (ED) will need to focus first on two areas: fundraising and securing a permanent site.

 

Leadership and Management—

The Executive Director is the chief executive of the school. The Executive Director holds responsibility, accountability, and authority for the school’s overall performance and success in fulfilling the LCS mission. The ED is also responsible for ensuring the school’s long-term sustainability.

 

Specific challenges include, but are not limited to the following:

·   Secure permanent site(s) for our schools

·   Extend fundraising beyond the school community to include outside sources of funds

·   Facilitate strategic planning with the Board of Directors 

·   Respect the autonomy of each principal in fulfilling the educational mission of the schools

·   Honor the legacies of the founding vision while articulating a strategic vision that brings the school to the next level of success

·   Diagnose the gaps between where the school is versus where it aspires to be, and ensure that strategies and practices are implemented to close these gaps

·   Attract diverse staff who are passionate about the school and its mission 

·   Develop and retain high-performing individuals to ensure long-term staffing and  sustainability

 

Fundraising—

The state per-pupil funding formula does not provide adequate resources to implement the educational program that fulfills our mission. It is the primary responsibility of the Executive Director to ensure the organization meets annual revenue goals and generates an appropriate surplus without compromising the quality of the program.

 

Specific challenges include, but are not limited to the following:

·   Ensure that the annual fundraising target is met as well as additional funds to ensure long-term financial sustainability

·   Develop and maintain relationships with philanthropic, business, and public sectors to increase awareness of the school and increase its donor base within a competitive nonprofit (specifically charter school) funding environment

·   Work with the Board on a capital campaign to secure and develop permanent site(s)

 

Operations and Finance—

The Executive Director holds ultimate responsibility for all of the school’s operations—from school safety to performance management for staff to financial planning. The ED must ensure that LCS remains in strong financial standing and that the school is in compliance with various laws, regulations, and requirements.

 

Specific challenges include, but are not limited to the following: 

·   Oversee and manage the operating budget 

·   Ensure that LCS has suitable school sites

·   Oversee school compliance with all applicable laws, regulatory reporting, contractual obligations, and donor restrictions

·   Ensure that an effective performance management system is in place for all staff  under his/her direct supervision

 

Communications and Marketing—

The Executive Director is the primary external champion for LCS and must represent and advocate for the school in various settings. The Executive Director is also responsible for ensuring accuracy and consistency in the school’s messages, both internally and externally.

 

Specific challenges include, but are not limited to the following:

·   Represent the school as a leader in the California charter school community in all advocacy efforts (e.g., legislative efforts to sustain charter school funding levels) as well as a community leader to maintain support from the local communities 

·   Develop and maintain effective relationships with the LAUSD Charter Office, local leadership, school faculty and staff, students, parents, community members, partner businesses and organizations, and current and prospective supporters

 

Academics—

The Executive Director shall select and work with the school principals to set overall budgets and priorities for each school in fulfillment of our mission. The ED will not directly hire or supervise teachers and intra-school staff, unless personnel issues affect overall LCS policies and/or have a serious potential impact on the viability and reputation of the schools.

 



Qualifications

Management and Leadership Experience

The ideal candidate will have extensive management experience with a record of success in leading and sustaining a reputable organization, fundraising, budgeting, government relations, and marketing. The effective leader will be focused on the next phase of the school’s evolution. S/he will have the ability to inspire excellence from a diverse staff and to leverage the talents of the Board of Directors. S/he will be a confident decision-maker and possess the ability to facilitate collaboration and teamwork.

 

As the charter landscape is changing quickly, there will be many opportunities to take a leadership role in shaping the future of the charter school movement through partnering, innovation, and persuasion. The ideal candidate will have experience forming, cultivating, and expanding partnerships within the public and private sectors. 

 

Passion for Educational Equality 

While experience in educational leadership and, specifically, in the charter school movement are pluses, they are not required. However, the candidate must demonstrate an ability to raise funds, communicate a genuine passion for advancing educational achievement in diverse communities and embody the mission and vision of LCS. Knowledge of the California and LAUSD education, government, and nonprofit funding environment would be valuable in this position.

 

The Executive Director must be able to make a compelling case for resources in an increasingly competitive environment. S/he must see building and maintaining relationships with individuals, foundations, members of the private sector, and government grant makers as an essential part of his/her role. Staying abreast of changing funding opportunities and challenges and working them to the school’s advantage will be a critical component of this position. The ideal candidate will demonstrate significant past success with fundraising.

  

To Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit two documents: a resume and a cover letter, the latter to include, in part, how a candidate’s background and experience supports his or her application for the position of Executive Director of Larchmont Charter School.

 

Please send all materials to:   jobs@larchmontcharter.org .

 

For more information about Larchmont Charter School please go to www.larchmontcharter.org   Larchmont Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.