Executive Director
Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, us, 02714
Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) is seeking a highly qualified and dedicated Executive Director to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Collaborative. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the successful candidate is responsible for the overall planning, development, operation, and performance of the organization, and will inspire, lead, guide, and direct all administrative, supervisory, instructional, and support staff in achieving the highest standards of excellence. The Executive Director ensures that each individual enrolled in the Collaborative is provided with an academically complete, socially meaningful, and personally rewarding education commensurate with their needs.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of five years of central office experience with a focus on special education and/or district administration.
Minimum of five years experience teaching or other relevant direct care experience with students with special needs.
Earned Master’s Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership or an allied field; Advanced degree preferred.
Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator of Special Education and/or Superintendent of Schools.
Responsibilities Leadership
Develop, coordinate and administer all programs and services offered by the Collaborative.
Conduct needs and program quality assessments and analysis of resulting data.
Select and recommend for approval by the Board of Directors all personnel to be employed by the Collaborative.
Supervise all personnel employed by the Collaborative, in conjunction with program supervisors.
Ensure that all staff members employed by the Collaborative are evaluated on a regular basis.
Possess a combination of personal confidence, insight and skill as a group process manager and demonstrate the ability to inspire, organize and lead others.
Represent the Collaborative on various local and state professional organizations, committees and advisory boards as appropriate.
Possess and share a working knowledge of all relevant laws, regulations and guidance and ensure compliance with same.
Secure legal advice pertaining to Collaborative management procedures whenever necessary and appropriate.
Demonstrate knowledge of current educational research and theory with respect to best practice.
Recommend, implement and maintain policies approved by the Board of Directors.
Support, implement, and interpret the policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors with the staff, families, consumers, students and the community at large.
Head the central office team in collaborative problem solving and strategic planning.
Act as a resource for member district administrators, state agency staff and Collaborative colleagues.
Evaluate senior leadership.
Accept any other responsibilities assigned by the Board of Directors.
Fiscal
Demonstrate successful techniques in educational and/or human resources financial management, grant administration, and program fiscal evaluation.
Serve as the Collaborative’s Chief Procurement Officer and authorized signatory.
Demonstrate effective use of skills and knowledge in budget preparation, allocation of resources, cost effectiveness, effective public procurement and financial reporting.
Oversee the development and presentation of an annual budget and periodic budget updates to the Collaborative Board of Directors.
Prepare and present an annual report to the DESE and Board of Directors concerning the effectiveness of all Collaborative programs and services and financial expenditures.
Negotiate facility and equipment purchases and leases and authorize all expenses.
Oversee and administer the use of Collaborative facilities, properties and funds with a maximum of efficiency and a minimum of waste, and with an ever-present awareness of and concern for the impact upon each individual student’s education and adult consumer’s support services and the associated cost to the towns and state agencies served by the Collaborative.
Communication
Disseminate information concerning the Collaborative to all constituents, the public media and the community.
Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and positively with diverse groups, including staff, administrators, Board members, district and agency personnel and school committees.
Demonstrate the ability to be an active listener and a fair and effective negotiator.
Effectively implement Board actions and recommendations and develop and maintain regular communication systems with the Board.
Communicate and operate from strong ideals and beliefs about education and services for persons with disabilities and engender trust in the organization among staff, districts, state agencies, families and legislators.
Support, interpret and communicate the policies of the Board of Directors to the staff, parents and the community at large.
Demonstrate wisdom and good judgment, as well as skill, in oral and written communication.
Salary $150,000 – $170,000, depending on experience and subject to negotiation.
Benefits This is a year-round position. Benefits Eligible (Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurances, 457b/403b). This position qualifies for the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS). Local travel between programs is required to support students and staff at different school buildings.
Interview Dates Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place during the weeks of March 23rd and March 30th.
Application Deadline To ensure full consideration and confidentiality, please submit all application materials by 12:00pm on March 9, 2026 via email to:
arodrigues@smecollaborative.org Audrey Rodrigues Human Resources Manager
Application Package
A cover letter indicating interest in the position
A current resume
A minimum of three recent letters of professional reference
College transcripts indicating degrees earned
Documentation of professional licensure.
EOE
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Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of five years of central office experience with a focus on special education and/or district administration.
Minimum of five years experience teaching or other relevant direct care experience with students with special needs.
Earned Master’s Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership or an allied field; Advanced degree preferred.
Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator of Special Education and/or Superintendent of Schools.
Responsibilities Leadership
Develop, coordinate and administer all programs and services offered by the Collaborative.
Conduct needs and program quality assessments and analysis of resulting data.
Select and recommend for approval by the Board of Directors all personnel to be employed by the Collaborative.
Supervise all personnel employed by the Collaborative, in conjunction with program supervisors.
Ensure that all staff members employed by the Collaborative are evaluated on a regular basis.
Possess a combination of personal confidence, insight and skill as a group process manager and demonstrate the ability to inspire, organize and lead others.
Represent the Collaborative on various local and state professional organizations, committees and advisory boards as appropriate.
Possess and share a working knowledge of all relevant laws, regulations and guidance and ensure compliance with same.
Secure legal advice pertaining to Collaborative management procedures whenever necessary and appropriate.
Demonstrate knowledge of current educational research and theory with respect to best practice.
Recommend, implement and maintain policies approved by the Board of Directors.
Support, implement, and interpret the policies and procedures established by the Board of Directors with the staff, families, consumers, students and the community at large.
Head the central office team in collaborative problem solving and strategic planning.
Act as a resource for member district administrators, state agency staff and Collaborative colleagues.
Evaluate senior leadership.
Accept any other responsibilities assigned by the Board of Directors.
Fiscal
Demonstrate successful techniques in educational and/or human resources financial management, grant administration, and program fiscal evaluation.
Serve as the Collaborative’s Chief Procurement Officer and authorized signatory.
Demonstrate effective use of skills and knowledge in budget preparation, allocation of resources, cost effectiveness, effective public procurement and financial reporting.
Oversee the development and presentation of an annual budget and periodic budget updates to the Collaborative Board of Directors.
Prepare and present an annual report to the DESE and Board of Directors concerning the effectiveness of all Collaborative programs and services and financial expenditures.
Negotiate facility and equipment purchases and leases and authorize all expenses.
Oversee and administer the use of Collaborative facilities, properties and funds with a maximum of efficiency and a minimum of waste, and with an ever-present awareness of and concern for the impact upon each individual student’s education and adult consumer’s support services and the associated cost to the towns and state agencies served by the Collaborative.
Communication
Disseminate information concerning the Collaborative to all constituents, the public media and the community.
Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively and positively with diverse groups, including staff, administrators, Board members, district and agency personnel and school committees.
Demonstrate the ability to be an active listener and a fair and effective negotiator.
Effectively implement Board actions and recommendations and develop and maintain regular communication systems with the Board.
Communicate and operate from strong ideals and beliefs about education and services for persons with disabilities and engender trust in the organization among staff, districts, state agencies, families and legislators.
Support, interpret and communicate the policies of the Board of Directors to the staff, parents and the community at large.
Demonstrate wisdom and good judgment, as well as skill, in oral and written communication.
Salary $150,000 – $170,000, depending on experience and subject to negotiation.
Benefits This is a year-round position. Benefits Eligible (Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurances, 457b/403b). This position qualifies for the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS). Local travel between programs is required to support students and staff at different school buildings.
Interview Dates Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place during the weeks of March 23rd and March 30th.
Application Deadline To ensure full consideration and confidentiality, please submit all application materials by 12:00pm on March 9, 2026 via email to:
arodrigues@smecollaborative.org Audrey Rodrigues Human Resources Manager
Application Package
A cover letter indicating interest in the position
A current resume
A minimum of three recent letters of professional reference
College transcripts indicating degrees earned
Documentation of professional licensure.
EOE
#J-18808-Ljbffr