SAILS Program Director

The Program Director for Seamless Alignment & Integrated Learning Support (SAILS) is responsible for strategic planning, statewide operationalization, fiscal accountability, programmatic reporting, team supervision & professional development, and internal/external communication for the program. The Program Director safeguards academic and program integrity, while building and maintaining a strong K-12/Higher Education partnership model. This position performs high-level management/administrative work under the direct supervision of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities:

INNOVATION – Creates a long-term vision for sustaining and scaling program to other markets (example: charter schools, middle school career exploration, CTE programs). Inspires and collaborates with Academic Affairs teams (curriculum strategist and workforce alignment teams) to explore and integrate the SAILS model/content with other TBR initiatives (example: Competency Based Education (CBE), Correctional Education Initiative, TNeCampus).

PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION – Ensures student and school progress and success in each region across the state, while maintaining program fidelity and academic integrity. Partners with the EPSO team to strengthen student learning outcomes and better prepare students for college mathematics. Works with articulation and transfer entities to maximize transferability and acceptance of SAILS statistics and algebra components. Works with TBR college CAOs and math faculty to continuously adapt/align math standards to prepare students for college and career success.

SUPERVISION AND TRAINING – Provides ongoing supervision, support, and training of all Directors, Field Coordinators and other SAILS personnel. Maintains a positive, respectful culture to promote professional development and career success for all team members. Creates a team infrastructure to facilitate quality support to all LEAs, students, parents, and colleges.

COMMUNICATION – Builds and maintains the high school/community college/SAILS partnership model through frequent and effective communication between all participants at the regional, district, and school levels. Opens and sustains communication channels with other state agencies, LGIs, TICUA, UT System institutions to create better awareness of program benefits to students. Participates and presents at inter-institutional committee meetings and conferences (ex: Consortium for Cooperative and Innovative Education, We All Rise, Learning Support, Joint AA/SA Sub-councils, High School Programs Advisory Group).

INFORMATION AND REPORTING – Gathers and disseminates information about the SAILS Program including student learning outcomes to individuals and stakeholder groups, both internal and external. Provides data and other information to members of the General Assembly as requested, and collaborates with the Office of Policy and Strategy to make information available on digital dashboards and other media.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY – Creates annual budget based on recurring allocated funds and maintains expenditures within approved budget.   Monitors all related grant contracts and complies with TBR Policy and other state finance and administrative regulations. Negotiates with vendors to maximize value to state, system, and students.

Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• learning management systems (D2L) and other instructional technologies
• secondary and higher educational organizational structures in Tennessee
• general principles of mathematics pedagogy and curriculum alignment
• Tennessee Board of Regents mission and strategic plan
• Issues/barriers facing students matriculating from HS to college

Skill in:

• oral and written and listening communication
• Apple/PC platforms
• office software/technology such as Microsoft Office Suite, TEAMS/ZOOM, Google Drive and Adobe Professional
• interpersonal communication consistent with establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• teaching and training
• building and sustaining a culture of collaboration and innovation
• developing and leveraging individuals’ strengths to maximize team success

Ability to:

• present information clearly and concisely
• work independently & take initiative
• identify and solve complex problems
• work with a diverse population
• manage a large, remote team using multiple communications and technology platforms
• generate, interpret, and present data to multi-sector audiences

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s  Degree in Education or closely-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years experience in either 1) teaching and/or administration in the K-12 or Higher Education environment or 2) management of regional or statewide programs.
• 5+ years experience in advising or other student support activities

Preferred Qualifications:

Ed.S. or Ed.D./Ph.D.  in Education or closely-related field

• 10+ years of higher education program administration experience
• Successful project management history
• Evidence of innovation and change agency