Description

Overview of Position
This position is open until filled, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review of applications will begin on June 3, 2026. 

The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will create specific conditions to actualize the Seattle Public Schools Strategic Plan and focus on the elimination of systemic opportunity gaps through inclusive services. The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will be a member of the EDS (Executive Director of Schools) Team that reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. SPS is strategically committed to improving how central office leadership shifts its work to support building principals as instructional leaders to create improved outcomes for all students.  The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will also support district and building school improvement efforts directly connected to our district strategic plan and building Comprehensive School Plans (C-SIP).

The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools is committed to improving and supporting principals connected to the Association of Washington Schools Principals (AWSP) Leadership Framework and Seattle Public Schools Principal Attributes. This is an Executive Director central office leadership level position.  This position requires the Executive Director to be a masterful teacher of adult learners - as well as a strong system thinker and collaborator.  The Executive Director's main job is to effectively support Alternative and Non-Traditional school building principals and collaborate and supervise other leaders in the district office to support culturally responsive and inclusive practices, policies, and procedures.
  
The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will be responsible for working collaboratively with district leadership to create the district vision for alternative learning Pre-K-12 this would include any development of new programs and/or schools. The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will effectively build the capacity of leaders and partner with Alternative and Non-Traditional school principals in both one-on-one and group settings. The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools is expected to create and sustain effective Alternative and Non-Traditional school principal communities of practice or professional learning communities.  They are expected to broker resources between Alternative and Non-Traditional school principals and central office leadership.  The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools must effectively oversee Alternative and Non-Traditional schools within Seattle Public Schools, maintaining partnerships with key central office staff that support schools, from various departments including, but not limited to, human resources, budget and finance, curriculum and instruction, enrollment planning, safety and security, and student services. Additionally, the Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools is responsible for leading schools under their supervision and working to raise the outcomes for students related to the superintendent’s Top 5 in 5 – specifically increasing attendance, ELA and math proficiency, and graduation rates and across all Alternative and Non-Traditional schools. 
  
The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will also work as a team and plan with other peers as a part of the EDS Team to plan, align practices and procedures, and problem solve supports to building principals. The Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will partner and be the primary liaison representing all Alternative and Non-Traditional schools and programs with the Curriculum and Instruction department for oversite and implementation of sound instructional practices and strategies related to ELA and math proficiency across appropriate grade levels. Develop and lead the district’s online portfolio of courses and programing. Additionally, the Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional Schools will oversee the district’s Running Start program, including supervision of central office staff associated with Running Start and partner with area colleges to improve programing, student participation and outcomes and overall experience within Running Start program. Finally, the Executive Director of Alternative and Non-Traditional schools will oversee the BRIDGES program as part of the Non-Traditional portfolio of schools/programs and as such will work in partnership with the Special Education department to ensure our students continuing in this program have access to high-quality education, programing and support to meet their development needs.

Requirements

Typical Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Three (3) or more years as a building principal at any level. 
Demonstrated ability to improve student outcomes at the building level.
Master’s Degree in Education or closely related field.
Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the work will be considered.

CERTIFICATION & LICENSES:
Valid Washington State Administrative Credential; 
Valid Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check