Executive Director
MN Association of Charter Schools, Saint Paul, MN, United States
Kimberly Hackett
Director of Operations & HR
TCGIS seeks an experienced educator and administrator to serve as Executive Director — the school's senior leader responsible for academic excellence, operational soundness, and long-term fiscal health. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads the administrative team and drives implementation of the school's strategic plan in a model that integrates academic vision with operational discipline.
The Executive Director is supported by a Director of Operations, an Academic Leadership Team, and a supportive finance infrastructure. The role requires building on recent improvements to operational systems and policies while creating new opportunities for professional growth across the organization.
Success in this position means a leader who removes barriers, directs resources strategically, and maintains a school culture where innovative instruction and German language immersion thrive — all while communicating clearly, responding decisively to feedback, and maintaining the trust of a diverse school community.
Key Responsibilities 1. School & Organizational Leadership
The Executive Director sets the tone for school culture, implements board policy, and leads a unified administrative team.
Implement the school’s strategic plan and Board policies; provide clear direction to staff on policy questions.
Mentor administrative staff at all career stages through timely, constructive, and actionable feedback.
Maintain a structured, positive, and inspiring organizational culture grounded in equity, diversity, and belonging.
Work collaboratively, build strong professional relationships, and support solution‑oriented practices across departments.
Lead the administrative team in executing initiatives related:
Enrollment, communications, and marketing
Diversity & Belonging programming
Athletics, before/after-school programming, and transportation
Facilities management and long‑term campus planning
Community and volunteer engagement
Bring forward policy recommendations to the Board as needed.
2. Operational Leadership
The Executive Director drives operational improvement and ensures alignment across all organizational functions.
Manage continuous operational improvement across school functions.
Recommend and implement improvements to systems, processes, and policies in support of the school’s mission.
Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments to ensure organizational alignment.
Maintain open communication with staff and employee groups.
3. Financial Management
The Executive Director is the school’s fiscal steward, working in close partnership with the Board and finance team.
Lead annual, quarterly, and monthly budget development and management in collaboration with the Board Treasurer, Finance Committee, Director of Operations, business manager, and outsourced CFO.
Contribute to long‑term financial planning with a focus on sustainability and mission alignment.
Identify and pursue additional revenue streams, including grants, fundraising, and school programs.
Monitor student enrollment, recruitment, and related record‑keeping.
Ensure full compliance with the Minnesota Department of Education, the authorizer contract, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Manage contracts and renewals for third‑party vendors and service providers.
Complete and file all required financial and authorization reports on a timely basis.
4. Academic Leadership
The Executive Director provides strategic direction for all academic programming, in partnership with the Academic Leadership Team.
Ensure academic programs are consistent with the educational philosophy established by the Board of Directors.
Champion a school culture that values and integrates the perspectives of both international and domestic staff.
Provide strategic guidance to staff responsible for implementing the following:
Curriculum development and alignment to Minnesota State Standards
German language immersion best practices
Student assessment and data‑informed instruction
Social‑emotional learning, student life, and discipline
Special education services and compliance
Lead the Academic Leadership Team in executing school‑wide initiatives, including:
Student achievement and instructional leadership
Intern programming for international teaching students
Capstone exchange program
5. Board Relations
The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison between school operations and the Board of Directors.
Serve in an ex officio capacity on the Board of Directors.
Collaborate with the Board on budget development, mission‑based strategy, marketing, fundraising, and community outreach.
Develop and present regular reports for Board use, covering the school’s financial condition, operations, student achievement, and key performance indicators defined in the authorizer contract.
Maintain a proactive, transparent, and constructive relationship with the Board and its committees.
Maintain and proactively manage the school’s relationship with its authorizer, including preparation for and participation in charter renewal processes.
6. Community & Family Relations
The Executive Director is the face of TCGIS to its families, alumni, and broader community.
Cultivate and sustain positive relationships with families, community partners, and the broader St. Paul community.
Provide proactive, transparent communication to build trust with the school community.
Collaborate with the parent council and maintain open, responsive communication.
Maintain and grow relationships with German cultural, educational, and governmental partners in the U.S. and abroad to strengthen the school's international identity and programming.
7. Employee Management & Culture
The Executive Director directly supervises the Academic Leadership Team and the Director of Operations.
Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding of staff in partnership with the Academic Leadership Team for instructional positions.
Foster a workplace culture where employees feel valued, heard, and connected to their peers and the school’s mission.
Ensure professional growth opportunities are equitably distributed across the academic leadership team.
Model a collaborative, feedback‑oriented leadership style that supports staff retention and development.
Compensation & Benefits: TCGIS offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract mission‑aligned leaders with the depth of experience this role demands. The final salary offer will reflect the candidate’s years of relevant leadership experience, scope of prior budget management, and demonstrated outcomes in comparable roles. TCGIS is committed to pay equity and transparency.
Working Conditions:
Primarily office‑based with regular presence throughout the school building and campus.
Work schedule is flexible and will regularly extend beyond school calendar days and standard hours, including evenings and weekends for school events, board meetings, and community engagement.
Must be comfortable working in a range of environments: classroom, office, gymnasium, and outdoor settings in all seasons.
Some tasks require extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Visual perception and discrimination required for reviewing documents and data.
Occasional light physical activity related to school events (e.g., setup/breakdown); reasonable accommodations available as needed.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, administration, or a closely related field.
Prior experience as a building‑level Administrator in a Minnesota elementary or K–8 school, or similar experience in a non‑profit organization.
Demonstrated success in managing multi‑million dollar organizational budgets.
Demonstrated success in personnel management, mentorship, and team development.
Successful experience managing complex projects within budget and on time.
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, gender equity, economic equity, and building a culture of belonging and respect.
Strong creative problem‑solving skills with the ability to develop and improve organizational processes.
Proven ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups, including families, staff, board members, and community partners.
Ability to interpret and apply complex documents, including budgets, contracts, grant applications, statutes, curriculum guides, and board policies.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences — parents, staff, students, board members, and the general public.
Working knowledge of Minnesota Department of Education requirements and MN State Statutes.
Preferred Qualifications
3+ years of leadership experience as a K–12 administrator in a charter school setting.
Current Minnesota K–12 administrative license (or eligibility for licensure by start date).
Experience in language immersion education (any language).
Experience living or working in other countries.
Fluency in German.
Fluency in any language in addition to English.
Institution Description The Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS) is an innovative, tuition‑free K‑8 charter public school in St. Paul, MN. Its signature strengths are an excellent teaching and learning environment rooted in German language immersion, highly engaged students, international staff, and strong community engagement. TCGIS is the largest public German language immersion school in North America and has consistently ranked among Minnesota's most academically successful schools.
Our Mission: Innovative education of the whole child through German immersion.
Our Vision: Andere hören, andere sehen, weltoffen denken und handeln — Hear others, see others, think and act with an open mind.
Application Instructions/Comments TCGIS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.
To apply, please submit the following materials as a single PDF to the TCGIS Board Search Committee at ed-applications@tcgis.org:
Cover letter (2 pages max) addressing your vision for German immersion education, your leadership philosophy, and why TCGIS is the right fit for your next role.
Current résumé or curriculum vitae.
Leadership and equity statement (1 page max) describing your approach to building an equitable, inclusive school culture — including specific examples from your professional experience.
Copy of Minnesota administrative license, if currently held.
Reference checks will be conducted for successful candidates. Application Deadline: April 27, 2026 | Target Start Date: July 1, 2026 or as agreed upon.
Questions about the position or search process may be directed to Jens Lindner at edsearch@tcgis.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
TCGIS seeks an experienced educator and administrator to serve as Executive Director — the school's senior leader responsible for academic excellence, operational soundness, and long-term fiscal health. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads the administrative team and drives implementation of the school's strategic plan in a model that integrates academic vision with operational discipline.
The Executive Director is supported by a Director of Operations, an Academic Leadership Team, and a supportive finance infrastructure. The role requires building on recent improvements to operational systems and policies while creating new opportunities for professional growth across the organization.
Success in this position means a leader who removes barriers, directs resources strategically, and maintains a school culture where innovative instruction and German language immersion thrive — all while communicating clearly, responding decisively to feedback, and maintaining the trust of a diverse school community.
Key Responsibilities 1. School & Organizational Leadership
The Executive Director sets the tone for school culture, implements board policy, and leads a unified administrative team.
Implement the school’s strategic plan and Board policies; provide clear direction to staff on policy questions.
Mentor administrative staff at all career stages through timely, constructive, and actionable feedback.
Maintain a structured, positive, and inspiring organizational culture grounded in equity, diversity, and belonging.
Work collaboratively, build strong professional relationships, and support solution‑oriented practices across departments.
Lead the administrative team in executing initiatives related:
Enrollment, communications, and marketing
Diversity & Belonging programming
Athletics, before/after-school programming, and transportation
Facilities management and long‑term campus planning
Community and volunteer engagement
Bring forward policy recommendations to the Board as needed.
2. Operational Leadership
The Executive Director drives operational improvement and ensures alignment across all organizational functions.
Manage continuous operational improvement across school functions.
Recommend and implement improvements to systems, processes, and policies in support of the school’s mission.
Facilitate communication and collaboration between departments to ensure organizational alignment.
Maintain open communication with staff and employee groups.
3. Financial Management
The Executive Director is the school’s fiscal steward, working in close partnership with the Board and finance team.
Lead annual, quarterly, and monthly budget development and management in collaboration with the Board Treasurer, Finance Committee, Director of Operations, business manager, and outsourced CFO.
Contribute to long‑term financial planning with a focus on sustainability and mission alignment.
Identify and pursue additional revenue streams, including grants, fundraising, and school programs.
Monitor student enrollment, recruitment, and related record‑keeping.
Ensure full compliance with the Minnesota Department of Education, the authorizer contract, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Manage contracts and renewals for third‑party vendors and service providers.
Complete and file all required financial and authorization reports on a timely basis.
4. Academic Leadership
The Executive Director provides strategic direction for all academic programming, in partnership with the Academic Leadership Team.
Ensure academic programs are consistent with the educational philosophy established by the Board of Directors.
Champion a school culture that values and integrates the perspectives of both international and domestic staff.
Provide strategic guidance to staff responsible for implementing the following:
Curriculum development and alignment to Minnesota State Standards
German language immersion best practices
Student assessment and data‑informed instruction
Social‑emotional learning, student life, and discipline
Special education services and compliance
Lead the Academic Leadership Team in executing school‑wide initiatives, including:
Student achievement and instructional leadership
Intern programming for international teaching students
Capstone exchange program
5. Board Relations
The Executive Director serves as the primary liaison between school operations and the Board of Directors.
Serve in an ex officio capacity on the Board of Directors.
Collaborate with the Board on budget development, mission‑based strategy, marketing, fundraising, and community outreach.
Develop and present regular reports for Board use, covering the school’s financial condition, operations, student achievement, and key performance indicators defined in the authorizer contract.
Maintain a proactive, transparent, and constructive relationship with the Board and its committees.
Maintain and proactively manage the school’s relationship with its authorizer, including preparation for and participation in charter renewal processes.
6. Community & Family Relations
The Executive Director is the face of TCGIS to its families, alumni, and broader community.
Cultivate and sustain positive relationships with families, community partners, and the broader St. Paul community.
Provide proactive, transparent communication to build trust with the school community.
Collaborate with the parent council and maintain open, responsive communication.
Maintain and grow relationships with German cultural, educational, and governmental partners in the U.S. and abroad to strengthen the school's international identity and programming.
7. Employee Management & Culture
The Executive Director directly supervises the Academic Leadership Team and the Director of Operations.
Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding of staff in partnership with the Academic Leadership Team for instructional positions.
Foster a workplace culture where employees feel valued, heard, and connected to their peers and the school’s mission.
Ensure professional growth opportunities are equitably distributed across the academic leadership team.
Model a collaborative, feedback‑oriented leadership style that supports staff retention and development.
Compensation & Benefits: TCGIS offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract mission‑aligned leaders with the depth of experience this role demands. The final salary offer will reflect the candidate’s years of relevant leadership experience, scope of prior budget management, and demonstrated outcomes in comparable roles. TCGIS is committed to pay equity and transparency.
Working Conditions:
Primarily office‑based with regular presence throughout the school building and campus.
Work schedule is flexible and will regularly extend beyond school calendar days and standard hours, including evenings and weekends for school events, board meetings, and community engagement.
Must be comfortable working in a range of environments: classroom, office, gymnasium, and outdoor settings in all seasons.
Some tasks require extended periods at a keyboard or workstation.
Visual perception and discrimination required for reviewing documents and data.
Occasional light physical activity related to school events (e.g., setup/breakdown); reasonable accommodations available as needed.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in education, administration, or a closely related field.
Prior experience as a building‑level Administrator in a Minnesota elementary or K–8 school, or similar experience in a non‑profit organization.
Demonstrated success in managing multi‑million dollar organizational budgets.
Demonstrated success in personnel management, mentorship, and team development.
Successful experience managing complex projects within budget and on time.
Demonstrated commitment to racial equity, gender equity, economic equity, and building a culture of belonging and respect.
Strong creative problem‑solving skills with the ability to develop and improve organizational processes.
Proven ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholder groups, including families, staff, board members, and community partners.
Ability to interpret and apply complex documents, including budgets, contracts, grant applications, statutes, curriculum guides, and board policies.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences — parents, staff, students, board members, and the general public.
Working knowledge of Minnesota Department of Education requirements and MN State Statutes.
Preferred Qualifications
3+ years of leadership experience as a K–12 administrator in a charter school setting.
Current Minnesota K–12 administrative license (or eligibility for licensure by start date).
Experience in language immersion education (any language).
Experience living or working in other countries.
Fluency in German.
Fluency in any language in addition to English.
Institution Description The Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS) is an innovative, tuition‑free K‑8 charter public school in St. Paul, MN. Its signature strengths are an excellent teaching and learning environment rooted in German language immersion, highly engaged students, international staff, and strong community engagement. TCGIS is the largest public German language immersion school in North America and has consistently ranked among Minnesota's most academically successful schools.
Our Mission: Innovative education of the whole child through German immersion.
Our Vision: Andere hören, andere sehen, weltoffen denken und handeln — Hear others, see others, think and act with an open mind.
Application Instructions/Comments TCGIS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. We actively encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.
To apply, please submit the following materials as a single PDF to the TCGIS Board Search Committee at ed-applications@tcgis.org:
Cover letter (2 pages max) addressing your vision for German immersion education, your leadership philosophy, and why TCGIS is the right fit for your next role.
Current résumé or curriculum vitae.
Leadership and equity statement (1 page max) describing your approach to building an equitable, inclusive school culture — including specific examples from your professional experience.
Copy of Minnesota administrative license, if currently held.
Reference checks will be conducted for successful candidates. Application Deadline: April 27, 2026 | Target Start Date: July 1, 2026 or as agreed upon.
Questions about the position or search process may be directed to Jens Lindner at edsearch@tcgis.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr