Executive Director of Education One

Angola, Indiana

Full-time

Summary

Education One at Trine University is seeking a visionary and results-oriented Executive Director of Charter Schools to lead the organization’s charter school authorizing efforts. The Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of charter school authorization, accountability, compliance, and support services, ensuring that Education One continues to maintain a high-quality portfolio of schools aligned with its mission to promote innovation and academic excellence across the charter sector, and to proactively support the vision of Education One to be recognized as a premier higher education institution authorizer.

Under the leadership of the Education One Board and the Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Executive Director serves as a key connector between Trine University and its K–12 charter schools, championing initiatives that put students first. This role is responsible for fostering collaboration, addressing systemic barriers, and leading efforts to align services and policies to ensure every student—from kindergarten through college—has access to the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. Additionally, the Executive Director is responsible for maintaining Education One’s reputation of institutional excellence at both the university and charter school levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

Provide visionary leadership for Education One, aligning all charter authorizing efforts with Trine University’s mission and strategic goals
Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan that fosters innovation, academic excellence, and strong partnerships across the university and charter school sector
Champion educational equity and access, particularly for historically underserved communities
Utilize academic and operational data to guide decision-making, measure impact, and inform continuous improvement efforts
Report quarterly to the Education One Board and university leadership on performance, impact, and areas for growth

Charter Authorization & Accountability

Oversee all phases of the charter school lifecycle, including application review, authorization, renewal, replication and closure
Ensure knowledge and implementation of NACSA’s Principles and Standards
Implement rigorous academic, financial and organizational performance metrics to ensure high standards for all schools
Monitor schools through site visits, annual reports, and data analysis to support continuous improvement and compliance
Attend school board meetings on a monthly basis to monitor for organizational effectiveness
Facilitate school board development and trainings, as appropriate
Meet routinely with school board chairs to discuss their organizational performance, strategic plans, and ensure the organization is on track to meet the goals outlined in their Performance Framework
Ensure the Education One Performance Framework is aligned with Indiana’s Academic Accountability Framework
Collect and review quarterly financials from all Education One schools to assess their financial health
Work directly with the Indiana Department of Education Charter Schools Support Team to ensure effective compliance and oversight of charter schools on a state/federal level
Attend national and statewide charter school conferences

Policy Development & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure all charter schools operate in accordance with Indiana law, federal requirements, and university policies
Lead the development and refinement of policies and procedures to promote efficient, high-quality, and transparent authorizing practices
Provide ongoing legal and policy guidance to schools and internal stakeholders
Work collaboratively to advocate for charter schools legislatively, including educating legislators, advocating to improve the charter landscape, and correcting misconceptions that exist across the state

Stakeholder Engagement

Build and sustain strong, collaborative relationships with charter school leaders, governing boards, university departments, community partners, and state agencies
Represent Education One and Trine University across state and national charter authorizing communities
Actively seek opportunities for partnership that support student success and innovation in K–12 education
Collaborate with university departments to expand dual credit and early college programs for high school students
Design and implement strategies that increase student matriculation from Education One sponsored charter schools to Trine University, including outreach, advising, and scholarship opportunities
Serve as a connector between K–12 schools and higher education resources to support students

Portfolio Development & Innovation

Continue to grow Education One’s portfolio by attracting and retaining high-quality educational applicants
Support and scale innovative educational models that reflect community needs and drive academic outcomes
Develop initiatives that connect charter schools to the university through student support services, and academic programming

Organizational Management

Supervise and support a high-performing team, responsible for school monitoring and oversight, data analysis, partnerships, and operations
Manage departmental budgets and ensure responsible fiscal planning and stewardship
Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within Education One and its schools
Lead communications with media on charter school issues
Oversee the Education One website in order to ensure statutory compliance and communicate a clear message for high quality authorizing
Maintain communication and relationships with all charter school related constituents, including the staff and boards of directors of all charter schools, the Education One Board, regulatory agencies (such as the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Board of Accounts), charter school support organizations and other community partners
Perform additional related duties, as assigned

Qualifications/Required Education

Master’s degree in Education, Public Administration, Policy, or a related field
Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in education, with at least 3–5 years in charter school oversight, authorizing, or school leadership
Deep understanding of Indiana’s charter school law, policy, accountability frameworks, and the authorizing process
Demonstrated success in leading high-performing teams and managing complex educational initiatives
Excellent communication, organizational, problem solving and strategic planning skills
Strong relational skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
Ability to analyze and interpret multiple performance indicators to drive decision making
Commitment to educational equity, innovation and supporting diverse school models to enhance Indiana’s charter sector
Vision oriented and goal driven
Ability to travel regionally and work evenings/weekends, as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working within or in partnership with a university-based charter authorizer
Familiarity with Indiana’s charter school landscape and regulatory environment
Knowledge of innovative education models and effective school improvement strategies

Salary

Salary is competitive will be based on qualifications.

Outstanding Benefits:

Trine University offers a comprehensive benefit package designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Some benefits offered include:

Health - medical, dental, flex spending, HSA accounts
Life insurance - a variety of voluntary life options are available along with an employer paid employee life policy valued at 1 ½ times annual salary
Paid vacation and sick time
Retirement - after one year of full-time service you are eligible for an employer contribution of 5% and up to an additional 5% employer match

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

Are you ready to join Trine?

Trine University is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, genetic information, citizenship status, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law, unless such basis constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification. Trine will comply with its legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs.