Bronx Charter Schools For Better Learning - Executive Director

About the job Bronx Charter Schools For Better Learning - Executive Director

Executive Director

Bronx, New York

About Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning

Since 2003, the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning (BBL) have been guided by two core beliefs: that every child arrives in the classroom already a capable learner, and that great teaching means creating the conditions for that learning to flourish. Founded by a passionate group of educators, parents, and community members deeply inspired by the work of educational philosopher Dr. Caleb Gattegno, BBL set out to prove that a learning-centered, inquiry-driven approach could produce outstanding academic outcomes for every child in the Bronx.

That experiment has worked. Today, BBL operates two elementary charter schools – BBL1 and BBL2 – in the Northeast Bronx, serving approximately 1,000 students in grades Pre-K through 5. BBL has consistently demonstrated strong academic outcomes, while nurturing the independence, curiosity, and love of learning that define the BBL experience.

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of BBL, leading both schools and reporting to the Board of Trustees. This is a broad leadership role – spanning academics, operations, community engagement, and strategy – for someone who is excited to build on a strong foundation and lead a mission-driven organization into its next chapter.

A genuine openness to BBL's distinctive, learning-centered approach to teaching and learning is essential. It is the foundation families choose BBL for and a thread that runs through everything the organization does.

The incoming Executive Director will inherit a distinctive and proven pedagogy that sets BBL apart, a dedicated team of educators and professional developers who believe deeply in the potential of every child, and a warm, family-like culture built on years of trust with staff and families alike. They will also inherit real financial stability – with significant reserves and the opportunity to invest strategically in programming and operations. The Executive Director will be supported by an experienced and committed leadership team across both schools and the central office, and will have the opportunity to leverage and further strengthen this team over time.

BBL is currently engaged in a strategic planning process, and the incoming Executive Director will have the opportunity to meaningfully shape and refine the plan as it is finalized.

This is a role with genuine upside. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of a mission-driven organization with real momentum behind it, strengthen student outcomes while preserving what makes BBL unique, and begin exploring what an expansion into middle school could mean for the students and families BBL serves.

This is not a caretaker role. It is a chance to lead something special – and make it even better.

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Strategic Leadership

• Champion BBL's mission and pedagogy with clarity and conviction – serving as its most visible advocate inside the schools and in the broader community
• Ensure that progress toward BBL's charter goals is regularly measured, reported, and sufficient to secure charter renewal
• Lead the refinement and implementation of the organization's strategic plan, aligning priorities across both schools and functions
• Partner closely with the Board to support effective governance and clear organizational decision-making.
• Shape and communicate a compelling organizational narrative to families, funders, authorizers, and the broader public
• Align people, systems, and resources around coherent, mission-driven priorities
• Seek out and pursue grant funding and strategic partnerships that support BBL's programs, facilities, and long-range plans

Instructional & Pedagogical Leadership

• Develop a deep working understanding of the Subordination of Teaching to Learning pedagogy and serve as a credible advocate of this approach across the organization
• Partner with the professional development team and school leaders to ensure the pedagogy is consistently and faithfully implemented across classrooms at both schools
• Strengthen the systems that transmit and sustain the pedagogy over time, including PD structures, curriculum documentation, and coaching practices
• Support and develop principals as instructional leaders, building their capacity to observe, coach, and foster a culture of continuous improvement across classrooms.
• Balance deep commitment to BBL's model with accountability for strong academic outcomes

Operations & Organizational Leadership

• Assume ultimate responsibility for the successful operation of all aspects of BBL — academic, financial, operational, and cultural
• Clarify and strengthen the organizational structure across the BBL network, defining clear roles, responsibilities, and lines of accountability
• Strengthen and refine systems across finance, HR, technology, and operations to support organizational effectiveness
• Lead and further develop a high-performing senior leadership team, fostering a collaborative cabinet culture focused on shared goals and continuous improvement
• Regularly evaluate and provide substantive coaching and feedback to senior leaders in support of their professional growth and organizational effectiveness
• Oversee financial sustainability, including budgeting and financial planning, and leading fundraising and development efforts in partnership with the Board
• Ensure long-range financial and facilities planning, updating and implementing plans annually in partnership with the Board and cabinet
• Ensure effective use of significant financial reserves and other resources in service of long-term sustainability
• Actively manage BBL's charter authorization relationship with SUNY CSI, ensuring full compliance with charter requirements and positioning the network confidently for renewal

Talent & Culture

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing, mission-aligned team across both schools and the central office
• Foster a culture that balances strong relationships with clear expectations and accountability – honoring BBL's warmth while raising its bar
• Recruit and develop educators who reflect the student community and bring the skills BBL needs
• Strengthen leadership pipelines and create clear pathways for staff growth and development
• Reinforce a culture where both students and adults are continuously learning and improving

Community Engagement & External Relations

• Serve as a visible, trusted leader within the Bronx community, accessible to families, students, and community partners
• Deepen authentic relationships with families and the neighborhoods BBL serves
• Strengthen enrollment through authentic community connection and a clear, compelling value proposition
• Represent BBL with integrity in public forums, with policymakers, and with charter sector leaders

Board Partnership & Governance

• Cultivate a strong, transparent, and productive partnership with the Board of Trustees
• Provide the Board with the information, analysis, and strategic framing needed to make sound decisions
• Manage key governance responsibilities, including charter compliance, financial reporting, and strategic accountability

Key Priorities in the First 12–24 Months

• Listen, learn, and build trust — with staff, families, the Board, and the communities BBL serves; approach BBL's culture and pedagogy with genuine curiosity and humility
• Develop a deep working understanding of the Subordination of Teaching to Learning, and build credibility with the PD team, teachers, and principals as an authentic champion of the approach
• Conduct a thorough assessment of BBL's progress toward its charter goals and establish a clear accountability framework for ongoing monitoring and reporting
• Lead implementation of BBL's strategic plan, establishing clear priorities and milestones across the network
• Begin exploring the possibility of middle school expansion – assessing feasibility, engaging key stakeholders, and laying the groundwork for informed decision‑making
• Deepen instructional alignment – building collaborative structures, coaching systems, and a coherent model of principal support
• Clarify organizational roles, responsibilities, and accountability structures to ensure the cabinet and school teams are operating with clear expectations
• Strengthen enrollment and community engagement, building BBL's pipeline and deepening its presence across the Bronx communities it serves
• Engage the Board as a thought partner, and begin work to strengthen Board practices and governance structures

Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

• 7+ years of progressively senior leadership experience in K–12 education, with a strong preference for urban public or charter school contexts
• Meaningful classroom or school-based instructional experience – this is a school community that values people who have taught
• Experience as a school or system-level executive (e.g., Executive Director, Head of School, Chief of Schools, Principal, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and interpersonal effectiveness, with the ability to build trust, navigate complex relationships, and lead with both empathy and clarity
• Strong judgment and decision‑making skills, with the ability to engage diverse perspectives, weigh input thoughtfully, and make clear, timely decisions
• Experience overseeing organizational finances, including budgeting and resource allocation in support of long‑term sustainability
• Track record of strengthening organizational systems and building structure within a complex organization
• Familiarity with constructivist, inquiry-based, or learning-centered pedagogical approaches and genuine openness to BBL's specific philosophy
• Experience managing board relationships and navigating governance complexity
• Understanding of charter school accountability, finance, and compliance; New York City or New York State experience preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and to supporting students from underserved communities
• Master’s or terminal degree required or equivalent

Why Join BBL

Leading the Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning is a rare and meaningful opportunity. This is a school community where:

• Students are joyful, engaged, and deeply respected as learners
• Families are invested, present, and genuinely partnered with the school
• A distinctive pedagogy creates real space for innovation and lasting impact
• Long-tenured educators bring deep institutional knowledge and genuine commitment to the mission

The next Executive Director will also have the opportunity to:

• Build the systems and structure needed for long‑term organizational success
• Shape the future direction and growth of the network, including possible middle school expansion
• Strengthen student outcomes while preserving — and deepening — what makes BBL unique
• Leave a lasting mark on public education in the Bronx and beyond

The salary range for this position is $200,000 - $250,000, commensurate with experience. BBL provides a competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement contributions; and professional development support. This is a full-time, in-person role based in the Bronx, New York.

Application Process

This search is supported by JoHo Talent Network. The application deadline is April 30, 2026, and applications should be submitted through the JoHo portal.

Bronx Charter Schools for Better Learning is an equal opportunity employer. We hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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