POSITION OVERVIEW

Detroit Country Day School seeks an experienced, dynamic, and innovative academic leader to serve as its Chief Academic Officer (CAO). The CAO leads the educational direction of the school, ensuring the highest standards of excellence across all grade levels (PK-12). This position continuously evaluates and advances the school’s academic programs, with specific focus on pedagogy, curriculum, co-curricular programs, technology, learning support, external and global partnerships, and professional development.
The most qualified candidate is a proven academic leader with significant teaching experience, a deep understanding of PK-12 curriculum and pedagogy, and a clear vision for navigating educational challenges and opportunities in independent schools.
The CAO reports directly to the Head of School and is a member of the highly collaborative and experienced Senior Administrative Team. The CAO works closely with and provides leadership and counsel to the Head of School, Division Directors, and Department Chairs.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Detroit Country Day School seeks a Chief Academic Officer who is:
Visionary · Strategic · Experienced · Curious · Inspirational · Engaging ·
Collaborative · Big Thinker · Authentic · Empathetic · Creative · Resilient ·
Dedicated · Thoughtful · Motivated · Disruptive · Bridge Builder · Charismatic

The ideal candidate possesses the following qualifications and personal attributes:

• A deep understanding of the developmental needs of K-12 students.
• A team player with a comprehensive grasp of best practices in independent schools.
• High emotional intelligence and a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in leading curricular change.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to establish strong partnerships with academic administrators, and develop authentic relationships with members of the faculty, all of whom are deeply passionate about providing the best learning outcomes for their students.
• An understanding of and commitment to being current with emerging educational pedagogies and practices.
• An ability to propose bold initiatives but do so in a way that strikes an inviting and welcoming tone.
• An understanding of the importance of traditions and customs as well as leading academic growth and evolution in schools.
• Confidence and humility needed to advocate for and welcome new ideas, invite and process disagreement, and receive and offer feedback.
• Effective at being the public face and voice of an institution.
• A compelling public speaker with a strong intellect, as well as a fair-minded, transparent, and engaged leader who values interpersonal relationships and genuinely enjoys working with faculty, students, and their parents.
• Experience developing and implementing curriculum in PK-12 schools.
• The institutional eye and ability to be aware of the day-to-day while also being strategic.
• A systems thinker and a coherence maker.
• An understanding of learning support programs and neurodiversity in schools.
• An understanding of education technology, including Artificial Intelligence, and the impact it has on advancing teaching and learning.
• Passion for remaining current with research on Mind, Brain, and Education (MBE).
• The ability to be a coach and/or leader of leaders.
• A warm and visible leader with a sense of humor.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• An advanced degree, as well as a demonstrated commitment to professional development and growth.
• Significant experience as a classroom teacher, preferably across a range of ages, and as a curricular leader within a multi-division school with a deep knowledge of current best practices in pedagogy and curriculum development.
• Significant leadership experience in an academically rigorous school.
• Experience on a senior administrative team and working closely with a Head of School.
• Experience managing a team, setting clear goals, responsibilities, expectations, and clear methods of accountability.
• Ability to supervise and manage multiple departments and personnel.
• Creative and strategic thinker who identifies and implements growth and improvement opportunities to better the institution and/or improve organization-wide productivity.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills to successfully engage with the full range of school constituencies.
• A personal and professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, global citizenship, and intercultural competence and the skill set and mindset to model civil discourse and contribute to developing belonging within a school community.
• Interest in participating actively and regularly in a fast-paced and lively school environment.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and vision of Detroit Country Day School.

The CAO has a broad portfolio of daily leadership and management responsibilities focused on evaluating and advancing the School’s academic framework and footprint. Working with school leadership, this position drives the academic engine of the school, safeguarding DCDS’s rigorous and immersive academic programs while identifying and implementing strategic initiatives, enhancing teaching and learning, and fostering an environment of educational excellence and continuous growth. In addition, the CAO has direct oversight of education technology, learning support, professional development, and global and external partnerships, as well as leadership of the Curriculum Leadership Council (CLC) and Teaching & Learning Council (TLC).
Specific position responsibilities include: