Job Details

Lead Oakland's Legacy. Shape Its Future.

AIMS K-12 College Prep Charter District is searching for its next permanent leader - and the stakes couldn't be higher or the opportunity more meaningful.

One of Oakland's pioneering charter schools, AIMS has grown into a thriving network of three award-winning schools serving 1,200 students across a vibrant, diverse community. That foundation is hard-won and worth building on. But the next chapter demands more: a bold expansion of Special Education programming, a disciplined systems-level approach to compliance and the AIMS ACOE MOU,and the kind of data-driven instructional leadership that transforms strong schools into truly exceptional ones.

The Executive Director we seek is more than an administrator - they are a unifying force who brings coherence to school communities, models the highest standards of professionalism, and builds the capacity of a talented senior team. They are an experienced systems leader who is passionate about performance management and a trusted strategic partner to the Board. Above all, they hold two things in equal regard: the complexity of leading a multi-school district, and the profound human mission that makes that complexity worthwhile.

If you are someone who leads with both rigor and heart - who believes deeply that every student in Oakland deserves a college-preparatory education that genuinely prepares them for what comes next - we want to hear from you.

The role commences June 1, 2026. The annual compensation ranges from $190-210K based on experience with additional bonus based on performance. AIMS offers generous benefits including health, dental, vision and PERS retirement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership The Executive Director is AIMS's chief visionary and organizational driver - responsible for setting clear direction, aligning people, systems, and structures to the AIMS ACOE MOU, and translating strategy into measurable results. In close partnership with the Board, the Executive Director develops and executes plans that reflect AIMS's unwavering commitment to college preparatory excellence for every student.

ACOE MOU Compliance & Charter Renewal Full and sustained MOU compliance is a defining priority for AIMS's next leader. The Executive Director will build the internal systems that make compliance durable, maintain a proactive relationship with the Alameda County Office of Education, and steward the charter renewal process - ensuring AIMS is positioned to demonstrate its impact and secure its future as a cornerstone of Oakland education.

Special Education Leadership The Executive Director will lead a meaningful expansion of AIMS's Special Education programming, ensuring students with disabilities receive high-quality, inclusive, and legally compliant educational experiences. This means building staffing models, instructional supports, and compliance systems that reflect both best practice and genuine organizational commitment - and developing the internal leadership capacity to sustain that work over time.

Performance Management The Executive Director establishes a rigorous, data-driven culture of accountability across the organization. This includes implementing systems that track progress toward MOU metrics and student achievement goals, conducting meaningful evaluations of school and department leaders, and ensuring that feedback, growth, and high expectations are embedded at every level of the organization.

Operational Oversight From central office to classroom, the Executive Director ensures AIMS runs with excellence. This means strengthening internal processes, maintaining appropriate staffing and role clarity, and building the operational infrastructure that allows school communities to stay focused on what matters most - teaching and learning.

Financial Management The Executive Director holds full fiduciary responsibility for the district - overseeing budget development, ensuring long-term financial sustainability, and maintaining transparent reporting to the Board. Resource allocation decisions are strategic, equitable, and always in service of student outcomes.

Team Leadership & Talent Development AIMS's greatest asset is its people. The Executive Director builds and sustains a high-performing senior team by recruiting and retaining talented leaders, providing meaningful coaching and accountability, and modeling the professional culture expected across the organization. Staff feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow.

Stakeholder Communication & Community Engagement The Executive Director is AIMS's most visible ambassador - building trust with families, staff, students, community members, and civic partners through transparent, timely, and culturally responsive communication. The Board is consistently well-informed and well-positioned to govern; the broader community is consistently reminded of what AIMS stands for and what it delivers.

Skills & Qualifications

Required

• 5-7 years of senior leadership in an educational or nonprofit setting, with a clear record of driving organizational improvement and student outcomes
• Deep knowledge of the charter school landscape, including authorizer relationships, compliance requirements, and renewal processes
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams across complex, multi-site environments
• Strong command of performance management and data-driven decision-making
• Demonstrated experience building or strengthening Special Education programs and systems
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to engage authentically across diverse communities
• Sound financial management skills, including budget development and long-term planning
• A track record of leading organizations through change while sustaining staff morale and momentum

• Direct experience leading a charter management organization or multi-school district network
• Familiarity with the Oakland and/or Alameda County educational landscape
• Experience working with a governing board and a strong understanding of board-executive partnership
• Advanced degree in education, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field