Program Director-OKAPS - 998872

Position Overview:

Plans, designs, develops, executes, and manages programs of the Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute to ensure successful implementation and continuation of network services and programming. Ensures the programs follow the guidelines, and that specifications, policies, and procedures are enforced and followed. Provides direct oversight and vision for the programs’ technological and educational needs and goals. Provides information to and facilitates communication between administrators, faculty, staff, students, independent contractors, and stakeholders concerning programs/services. Maintains relevant databases, spreadsheets, and document collections to ensure accurate and accessible records. Prepare reports summarizing statistical data or describing program objectives and accomplishments. Performs needs-assessment, planning, data collection, and analysis in order to make continual improvement to on-going programs. May develop, design, and or coordinate curriculum and requirements for the programs. Assists the Executive Director in budgeting, grant writing, and securing annual funds through other means.

Department Specific Essential Job Functions:

This person will provide implementation of the strategic direction collaboratively developed by the Executive Director, the OKA+ of Advocacy, and staff. Oversees the day-to-day activities of programs and projects of the Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute, and delegates regional projects to identified employees when appropriate. Provides operational leadership and coordination for a cooperative statewide creative and cultural educational reform initiative, with the main project being the A+ Network of schools. Provides direct supervision and oversight to OKA+ Regional Coordinators. Recruits and trains project teaching independent contractors (Fellows). Recruiting is ongoing throughout the year and is done primarily from the project schools with classroom observation, through referrals, and through out-of-classroom observations. Responsible for oversight of and feedback, along with the Regional Coordinators, to Fellows in a continual feedback cycle to ensure quality of the dissemination of all project workshops, events, summits, retreats, etc. Works with the Executive Director to recruit and guide the application processes of potential new schools to the network. Provides support to participating network schools with assistance from the Regional Coordinators. Directs planning and implementation of project workshops, retreats, summits, guest lectures, and events of OKA+ network. Includes determining needs of participating schools through surveys, visitations, and personal interactions; meeting with Regional Coordinators and Fellows in small task groups to develop content and format; coordinates with conference planners to select event sites, needs, and specifications; attends and/or directs implementation of each workshop, retreat, summit, and event; conducts meetings after events to review feedback from participants; provides assessment and feedback reports of events and incorporates results for subsequent workshops, retreats summits, and events. In collaboration with the Regional Coordinators, develops and maintains follow-up processes with participating schools. Develops documents/calendars/procedures for all aspects of programming of the OKA+ Schools Institute. With assistance from the Regional Coordinators, develops fellows teams to follow up with specific schools. Assists the Executive Director with long range planning and development, including the development and management of annual budgets and payment processes for program, schools, and fellows development. Assists the Executive Director in hiring, evaluation, day to day office operations, and supervision of OK A+ staff. Assists with multiple projects including assessment, publicity, fieldwork, celebrations, and events. Attends and travels to quarterly National A+ Schools Consortium meetings, both in person and virtually as required, with Executive Director. Attends and presents at state and national conferences. Responds to requests for work outside of Oklahoma, both nationally and internationally, and works with Executive Director to develop implementation plans and cost/revenue analysis and development for associated work. Travels as needed to develop and oversee work across the state, nation, and world. Develops and distributes required reports. Maintains open communication and cooperative relationships with numerous universities, foundations, institutes, agencies, and school systems. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience Required:

Requires a bachelor's degree in related field plus 7+ years of experience with leading planning, including program development and innovation, and assessment in this field, or equivalent combination of experience and education. Extensive knowledge and comprehensive understanding of functional area. Appropriate profession accomplishments and credentials.

Qualifications/Experience Preferred:

Master's degree. A record of successful teaching, educational and supervisory experience. Must have minimum of 5 years related experience. Experience working with, or as an educator in, a member school of the OKA+ Network or another A+ Network. Understanding of Arts Integration, Integrated Learning, Concept Based Teaching, and similar educational initiatives. Supervisory experience, particularly within the educational setting. Understanding of, and experience with, adult professional development, particularly with schoolteachers. Understanding of, and experience with, networks, at many levels (from small networks within a school building to large statewide networks among many schools). Understanding of, and experience with, large-scale, statewide program development and large-scale professional development for adults. Experience working effectively with a variety of educational constituencies including parents, students, faculty, staff, and community groups. Capacity for growth and leadership.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

An ability to manage development of complex projects while navigating the ambiguity of early-stage partnerships and projects. An entrepreneurial approach to the start-up of new ventures. An understanding of, and commitment to, the role of the arts in the development of children, in particular, and society, in general. Superior organizational and time management skills. Ability to multi-task, addressing and pursuing several projects simultaneously. A high degree of energy, creativity, initiative, and flexibility. A readiness and ability to work collaboratively. An accurate attention to detail. The ability to travel. Excellent computer skills. Excellent communication skills.

Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.