Executive Director of Improvement and Innovation - State of Colorado : Job Details

This position is not part of the classified personnel system, applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado. Incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Please Note - As of August 27, 2025, a hiring freeze is in effect for the Colorado Executive Branch. State agencies will be allowed to finalize the hiring process only if a position has been posted by August 27, 2025. Although the hiring freeze does not apply to the Colorado Department of Education, our agency is committed to acting in accordance with the objectives of the hiring freeze and only hiring positions that have been vetted and determined to be an essential need.

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state\'s 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state\'s approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Work Environment:

This position is Full-time, is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office w/requirement to report to Work location per business needs)

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• 20% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs
• LIGHT/Office environment:
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
  • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
  • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree
  • DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary: The Colorado Department of Education is seeking a visionary and experienced education leader to serve as the Executive Director of the newly established Office of Innovation and Improvement. This position will provide strategic leadership and oversight to multiple offices, including those focused on school improvement, charter schools, and blended and online learning. The Executive Director will drive a statewide vision for continuous school improvement, innovation, and support for non-traditional learning environments, with a strong emphasis on leveraging flexibility and innovation.

The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity. In person interviews expected the week of Oct 27 or Nov 3.

District and School Improvement

• Lead the development and implementation of a statewide improvement planning system that provides high-quality technical assistance, support, and accountability for all schools, with a focus on those identified on the state and federal accountability system.
• Lead collaboration with CDE units to ensure various state and federal planning requirements are integrated into the statewide planning system.
• Manage collaboration with CDE units to ensure accreditation systems are implemented in a streamlined and coherent manner.
• Lead collaboration with School and District Transformation and other CDE units to ensure a coherent and effective system of supports for schools identified for improvement.
• Manage the implementation of state board hearings for schools and districts furthest along the accountability clock. Develop planning tools and processes to support district and school leaders in the accountability hearing process.
• Oversee the State Review Panel implementation in support of the state board hearing process.
• Offer strategic direction and guidance to the Charter Schools, Blended/Online Learning, Strategic Transformation, and Continuous Improvement teams in designing effective support for identified schools.
• Collaborate across departments to align efforts in accountability, curriculum, assessment, and educator effectiveness with school improvement strategies.

Innovation and Flexibility

• Oversee support for charter schools, online, innovation, and other non-traditional educational models, fostering innovation and flexibility within state guidelines.
• Ensure effective systems for charter school waiver requests and innovation school application systems, integrating planning requirements for these schools with broader CDE planning systems.
• Lead collaboration with other CDE offices, including school finance, teaching and learning, and Exceptional Student Services to provide clear guidance and technical support to non-traditional models, clearing the way for innovative practices.
• Guide the integration of innovative tools, practices, and models into CDE's interventions, particularly for underperforming schools.
• Build relationships with advocates for school choice and innovative school models, both in-state and nationally.

Policy

• Provide leadership and representation for the department in interactions with the State Board of Education, policy stakeholders, and partner organizations.
• Ensure highly effective annual reporting and public information is available on the impact of innovative school models on student outcomes
• Contribute to the legislative and rulemaking processes specifically related to accreditation, school transformation, and innovative and school choice models (charter, online, blended, and other innovative models).

Team Leadership

• Lead the School Improvement Team, Charter Schools Office, and Blended and Online learning team, providing strong feedback and support to the directors and ensure coordinated efforts across the teams.
• Serve as a lead member of the School Quality and Support team and serve as a member of CDE's Extended Leadership Team.
• Manage the unit budget, including internal and external contracts and budgeting practices.
• Oversee the team responsible for supporting online schools, ensuring program quality and alignment with state standards.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Advanced Degree in Education or equivalent field.
• Required Qualifications - Minimum 12-15 years in K-12 Public Education, must include:
• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated leadership experience at the school, district, and/or state level, including school or district turnaround or improvement work.
• Strong background in policy implementation, systems design, and leading cross-functional teams through change.
• Experience managing senior-level staff and supervising multiple functional teams.
• High level of change management experience with complex and nuanced communication
• Knowledge of Colorado\'s educational landscape, including charter schools, online schools, and state accountability systems.
• Proven experience engaging with a State Board or other governance body on complex education initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Experience designing or supporting innovative instructional models or governance structures.
• Experience supporting rural school districts, including cross-district collaboration.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, innovation, and results-driven school improvement.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (percentage 20%)
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs
• Valid Driver\'s License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

Complete Applications must include

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attach
• Resume: Required - Attach

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].