(DOE-011-26) Assistant Commissioner (Chief Academic Officer) at New Jersey Department of Education

Trenton, Nova Scotia, Canada -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

18 Sep, 26

Salary

181125.0

Posted On

20 Jun, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Curriculum Design, Instructional Leadership, Strategic Planning, Program Management, Special Education Oversight, Professional Learning Design, Stakeholder Engagement, Budget Management, Policy Development, Academic Standards Implementation, Performance Monitoring, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Educational Policy, Grant Management, Equity-centered Practice, Student Support Systems

Industry

Education Management

Description

Notice of Vacancy Reference Number: DOE-011-26 Title: Assistant Commissioner (Chief Academic Officer) Range/Title Code: M98/99985 Salary: $181,125.00 Position Number: TBD Issue Date: June 18, 2026 Closing Date: July 2, 2026 Core Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Location: Trenton, New Jersey Division: Division of Teaching and Learning Services, Office of the Assistant Commissioner Description The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the State Education Department's senior executive responsible for defining, advancing, and delivering the Department’s academic vision, ensuring all students are safe, supported, and successful and achieve academic excellence across New Jersey. The CAO is responsible for the strategic design and statewide implementation of academic standards, high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) adoption, professional learning systems, and district and student support. The CAO serves as a key advisor to the Commissioner on all matters of instructional policy and practice. This is a broad, high-impact executive role requiring deep expertise in curriculum and instruction, special education, and large-scale program management. This role also requires relational skills to build trust with a diverse landscape of district leaders, practitioners, community stakeholders, and state and federal partners. The CAO leads a multi-disciplinary division of curriculum specialists, professional learning designers, and student support staff, and is expected to model the instructional vision they champion across the state. Core Responsibilities: Set and continuously refine the Department’s academic vision and instructional strategy Own a clear, statewide academic vision that defines what high-quality teaching and learning look like across all content areas and grade levels. Translate that vision into a coherent instructional strategy spanning curriculum, assessment, student supports, and educator development. Ensure alignment across priority initiatives (e.g., literacy, tutoring, early childhood, career pathways) so districts experience a unified academic framework. Continuously refine strategy based on research, field engagement, and evidence of implementation and impact. Ensure instructional coherence through standards, curriculum, and high-quality materials Oversee the development and implementation of academic standards aligned to current research and equity-centered practice. Lead the statewide system for high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), including review, and adoption support. Design and drive implementation models that connect curriculum, assessment, and professional learning into coherent instructional systems. Ensure consistency across content areas so schools are not navigating fragmented or competing instructional priorities. Translate national research on instructional quality into actionable state policy, guidance, and tools. Oversee a comprehensive system of student supports, including special populations Define and lead a statewide approach to integrated student supports that ensures all students can access grade-level content and succeed. Oversee alignment of academic interventions (e.g., tutoring, MTSS) with core instruction to create cohesive systems at the school level. Ensure strong integration of supports for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and other special populations into the academic strategy—not as separate systems. Coordinate across divisions to align academic, mental health, and school climate supports around student needs. Drive clarity on how districts implement supports so that policy translates into effective, consistent practice in schools. Lead the full educator pipeline from preparation through development and retention Oversee a coherent strategy for the educator pipeline spanning preparation, certification, induction, professional learning, and career development. Design and implement statewide professional learning systems that are job-embedded, evidence-based, and aligned to instructional priorities. Establish rigorous standards for selecting and evaluating professional learning providers and programs. Ensure educators have access to high-quality tools, resources, and digital platforms aligned to current academic priorities. Align educator workforce strategy with instructional goals, ensuring teachers and leaders are equipped to deliver high-quality instruction at scale. Drive delivery, performance, and field engagement to ensure impact on student outcomes Establish clear success metrics tied to academic outcomes (e.g., proficiency, growth, access to supports) and monitor progress through regular performance routines. Lead the design and execution of academic initiatives, ensuring effective implementation across diverse district contexts. Serve as the Department’s academic lead with districts, educators, and stakeholders, building trust and ensuring state strategy reflects classroom realities. Provide executive-level leadership to a division spanning teaching and learning, students support, and the educator pipeline to ensure coherence across the department’s academic agenda and avoid fragmentation. Recruit, develop, and retain top instructional talent, building a team culture that is collaborative, evidence-driven, equity-centered, and accountable for results. Develop and manage the division’s budget, including federal education grants, state appropriations, and contracted services, and ensure resources are allocated in alignment with strategic priorities. Requirements Education Master's degree or higher in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Education Policy, or a closely related field. Experience A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in curriculum, instruction, or academic program leadership, with at least five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role. Demonstrated expertise in K–12 curriculum design, standards development, and the selection and implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Proven experience designing and scaling professional learning systems for educators and instructional leaders. Track record of building and sustaining effective district support relationships in a state agency, regional education service center, or large district central office context. Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in a government or complex organizational setting. Preferred Education/Experience Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, or a related field. Prior experience in a state education agency or large urban district central office with responsibility for academic programming at scale. Deep knowledge of foundational literacy research, structured literacy approaches, and evidence-based early reading instruction. Experience leading statewide or multi-district HQIM adoption initiatives, including navigating the political and cultural dimensions of curriculum change. Familiarity with federal education law and grant requirements relevant to academic programs, including Title I, Title II, Title III, and ESSA consolidated planning requirements. Track record of publication, conference presentation, or recognized leadership in the national curriculum and instruction field. Employee Benefits As a NJ State Department, NJDOE offers a comprehensive benefits package including: • Pension • Deferred Compensation • Health (medical, prescription drug, dental & vision care) and Life Insurance • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) • Tuition Reimbursement* • Flexible and Health Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA) • 13 paid holidays • Benefit Leave (vacation days, sick days and administrative leave days) • Telework* • Alternate Work Week Program* *Pursuant to Department’s policy, procedures, and/or guidelines. Open to the Following In accordance with the New Jersey First Act P.L. 2011 c.70, effective September 1, 2011, new public employees are required to obtain New Jersey residency within one (1) year of employment. Applicants must meet the requirements listed above. Interested candidates may apply via: https://www.nj.gov/education/careers/. Authorization to Work Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorships for work visas. SAME Applicants If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program, visit their website at: nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: CSC-Same@csc.nj.gov, or call the Civil Service Commission at (609)-292-4144, option 3. EOE/AA Statement The New Jersey State Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer, has an Affirmative Action Program, and will not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, religion, color, national origin/nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy), marital status/civil union partnership, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, domestic partnership status, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, disability, (including perceived disability, physical, mental, and/or intellectual disabilities), or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and is committed to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Responsibilities

The Chief Academic Officer defines and delivers the state's academic vision, overseeing instructional strategy, standards, and high-quality instructional materials. They lead a multi-disciplinary division to ensure student success and provide executive guidance to the Commissioner on instructional policy.