DREAM · 1 week ago
Managing Director of Academics
New York, NY
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$165K/yr - $180K/yr
7+ years expDREAM is an organization dedicated to serving youth through education and community programs. The Managing Director of Academics provides leadership for the K–12 academic program, focusing on curriculum implementation and teacher development while overseeing a team responsible for instructional quality and academic achievement.
Education
Responsibilities
Own and steward the network-wide instructional vision, ensuring alignment with DREAM’s 5-Year Curriculum Vision and Graduate Profile
Partner closely with the network Education Leadership Team and school leaders to ensure strong instructional coherence and fidelity of implementation
Set clear instructional priorities that emphasize rigor, culturally and historically responsive education, constructivist learning, and joyful classrooms
Provide executive oversight of curriculum selection, adaptation, and implementation across all grade levels and content areas
Lead the next phase of high school curriculum development, including ELA, math, science, social studies, and emerging disciplines (e.g., AI, computer science, design)
Lead the instructional implementation of DREAM’s innovative, project-based learning (PBL) strategy across grade levels
Partner with the Managing Director of Student Supports to proactively differentiate Tier 1 curriculum materials for diverse learners and select and adapt a research-based Tier 2 and 3 Intervention program
Ensure curriculum materials include clear guidance for teachers, embedded differentiation, performance-based assessments, and alignment to standards
Collaborate with the Network Director of Curriculum Strategy and Operations to ensure high-quality production, distribution, and continuous improvement of materials
Serve as the network’s lead instructional expert, modeling best practices in teaching, coaching, and adult learning
Design and lead (or oversee the design and facilitation of) high-impact professional development for principals, Academic Deans, and teachers
Coach and develop direct reports and skip-level leaders, with a focus on instructional leadership, content expertise, and effective coaching practices
Build systems that support consistent, high-quality instructional feedback and learning across schools
Partner with the Data and Assessment team to analyze student achievement data and instructional trends
Use data to refine curriculum, adjust professional learning priorities, and support schools with targeted action planning
Ensure assessment systems balance rigor with flexibility and multiple demonstrations of learning
Lead the Curriculum and Instruction Team to analyze network-wide, school, and class level data and craft and lead implementation of multi-week, network-wide action plans
Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership of the Curriculum and Instruction Team (CIT), ensuring clarity of vision, priorities, roles, and accountability across all workstreams
Plan, facilitate, and lead monthly Curriculum and Instruction Leadership Team and whole team meetings and annual Curriculum and Instruction Team Institutes that drive instructional coherence, content expertise, identity development and a culture of belonging, cross-team collaboration, data reflection, and progress toward annual goals
Manage the CIT budget in partnership with Finance and the Network Director of Curriculum Strategy and Operations, ensuring resources are strategically allocated to maximize instructional impact
Build, refine, and steward team systems, strategy, communications, and operations to support high-quality curriculum development, implementation, and professional learning
Invest in a joyful, inclusive team culture characterized by high expectations, high support, continuous learning, psychological safety, and shared ownership of outcomes
Collaborate with the network Talent, Operations, Finance, Advancement, Communications, Student Supports, Extended Learning and Enrichment, and SEL and Mental Health teams, and external partners to support effective academic implementation
Provide thought partnership to senior leaders on network-wide academic strategy
Serve on the network's Learning Team, Educational Leadership Team, and Management Team to set organization-wide strategy
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required
7+ years of school or network academic, curriculum and/or instructional leadership experience, required
2+ years of network or central office leadership experience, required
Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to set detailed vision and direction across large, complex sets of work
Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a proven ability to meet and exceed ambitious goals
Exceptional relationship management and influence skills; a proven servant leader
Effective written and verbal communication, with strong active listening skills
A deep understanding of the Common Core standards
A deep understanding of Humanities and STEM pedagogies, programs, and effective practices
Exceptional self-motivation, entrepreneurial spirit, and team orientation
Collaborative decision-making style, with a proven track record of working effectively with diverse individuals to drive decision-making and results
Self-awareness and absolute integrity
Exemplary curriculum and assessment writing skills
Ability to deliver impactful professional development to leaders and teachers
Insistence on academic excellence and rigor
Dedication to doing whatever it takes to help all students achieve academic success
Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude
Preferred
Master's degree in Educational Leadership or a related field, preferred
Charter school experience, highly preferred
Experience teaching and leading multiple grade bands and content areas, highly preferred
Benefits
Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children
The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs
Dental and vision plans
Disability benefits
Life insurance
Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave
Flexible spending account options
Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit)
Fitness and entertainment discounts
A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP)
403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure
Referral, performance, and tenure milestones bonuses
Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program
Tuition reimbursement support
Access to a professional development fund
All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays
Benefits are subject to change
Company
DREAM
Originally founded as Harlem RBI, DREAM traces its beginnings to 1991, when a group of volunteers transformed an abandoned, garbage-strewn lot into two baseball diamonds for the youth of East Harlem.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
John Kim
Director of Special Projects to the COO
Raymie Fernandez
Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase