Chief Academic Officer

KLR Executive Search Group is proud to partner with YouthBuild Preparatory Academy (“YBPA” www.ybprep.org) to recruit the Organization’s new Chief Academic Officer. Located in Providence, RI, YouthBuild Preparatory Academy is a stand-alone, independent high school, open to all students with a particular focus on serving the underserved and disenfranchised boys and young men of color youth. YBPA is a model for educational pipelines in which students graduate high school with advanced skills and the social/emotional wellbeing needed for college acceptance, civic engagement, and future success.

YBPA has achieved high-performing scores in student attendance, retention, completion, and in students earning a diploma and certification. YBPA provides our students with 39 sustainable skills in the realms of academia, social and emotional stability, and civic engagement. Students graduate poised for success in high-wage and high-skills jobs, ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Mission: “Our mission is to provide a liberating educational experience to all students, with a focus on engaging young men of color, preparing them to be confident, civically engaged leaders. We emphasize interdisciplinary learning and community action projects, equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”

The Opportunity:

• Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) will play a pivotal role in leading academic programming, staff development, and student achievement.
• Focused on empowering boys and young men of color, the CAO will ensure that the school fosters an environment of trust, high expectations, and respect while integrating social justice principles into every aspect of the curriculum.
• The CAO is responsible for coordinating and preparing students for success in post-secondary education, technical careers, and beyond.
• The core values driving this work include People & Relationships, Community, Self-determination, Health & Wellness, and Liberatory Education.
• The CAO must be an adaptive, solution-oriented leader committed to continuous improvement and collaboration, overseeing staff, students, and academic operations in alignment with YouthBuild's mission.

Job Qualifications:

Experience

• Minimum of three years of teaching experience or related in-school experience.
• Experience with project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, and social justice education.
• Proven ability to engage and support students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs.
• Demonstrated success in raising academic achievement in diverse student populations.
• Strong leadership experience, particularly in school start-ups, restructuring, or educational innovation.
• Experience managing school schedules, budgets, and staff evaluations to align with the school’s vision.

Personal Qualities

• Visionary leadership with a passion for empowering students and helping them realize their potential.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build productive relationships with students, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Accountability for school performance and a commitment to ensuring student success.
• Humble and approachable, fostering trust and mutual respect.
• Highly organized, ensuring efficient management of tasks and responsibilities.
• Creative thinker with a talent for developing innovative solutions and strategies.
• Possesses a "can-do" spirit, demonstrating optimism and resilience in challenging situations.
• Collaborative by nature, thriving in team environments and valuing input from others.
• Enjoys sharing wisdom and knowledge to inspire and develop those around them.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and drive impactful initiatives.
• Skilled problem solver with expertise in finding alternative solutions that align with educational regulations and compliance requirements.
• Effective teambuilder, capable of uniting individuals around a shared vision and cultivating a positive, productive environment.

Education

• Master’s degree in education or a related field required.
• Possession of or eligibility for a Building Level Administrator certification.