Head of School Management - SPARK Schools Rosebank at SPARK Schools

Purpose of Role:

The Head of School Management is the most senior instructional leader at SPARK Schools, responsible for the management of our schools, as well as school leadership development. This role drives network-wide excellence and consistency in school leadership and culture, data-driven instruction, and stakeholder experience. The Head of School Management leads School Achievement Managers, who coach and manage groups of Principals to drive scholar achievement.

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Requirements

• Drives achievement in schools through the School Achievement Managers in the following areas:

  • School Leadership

    • Creates a united team of school leaders who live the SPARK Schools mission, vision and values daily through their appropriate decision-making and behaviours.

    • Models effective coaching and management practices for ongoing network-wide leadership development.

  • School Culture

    • Envisions, plans, implements, and monitors a consistent, high quality network-wide school culture that leads to thriving SPARK scholars and staff.

    • Creates tools to evaluate school culture and determine targeted improvement plans.

  • Data-Driven Instruction

    • Establishes network-wide protocols for data meetings that result in evidence-based planning and instructional decisions.

    • Ensures the integrity and credibility of scholar achievement data through comprehensive moderation procedures.

    • Establishes a comprehensive instructional and leadership development program that prepares instructional staff in all roles to fulfill their duties and excel in service to scholars and their families.

  • Parent and Family Engagement

    • Develops and maintains mechanisms to inform, involve, and consult our scholars’ parents and families.

    • Engages parents and families through platforms for feedback, used to inform stakeholder experience initiatives.

• Builds a regular rhythm of school visits and observations, in order to evaluate consistency and quality across SPARK Schools network, as well as identify the highest leverage network-wide and school-specific action steps for implementation.

• Champions the student information system, as well as any other systems related to school administration and stakeholder communication.

• Creates and maintains a rhythm of accountability within the School Achievement team, including quarterly data analysis and regular team meetings.

• Collaborates with the Head of Efficacy and Regional Operations Managers to ensure high quality outcomes in all five key drivers of the SPARK Schools model.

• Identifies, recruits, and engages in the selection of new School Achievement Managers and instructional school leaders, who are able to successfully lead school growth and continuous improvement efforts.

• Provides feedback on the learning model and highlights areas of success and areas of improvement.

• Collaborates with all departments in SPARK Support, in order to build and maintain relationships between schools and the Support office.

• Ensures alignment of instructional practices across the network and in line with SPARK Schools practices, policies, and core values.

• Interprets and ensures compliance of both academic and operational standards as per current South African legislative requirements.

• Provides relevant reports and analytics to the Chief Executive Officer and other relevant stakeholders regarding the SPARK Schools network.

• Ensures the integrity of academic and student data.

• Enforces compliance with ethical standards guided by the company values and mission.

• Participates actively in staff development opportunities as a member of the SPARK Schools team.

• Conducts self in a professional manner at all SPARK Schools events and to all stakeholders.

• Updates job knowledge by participating in conferences and educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations.

Qualifications and Criteria:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and criteria:

• Degree in education, a postgraduate qualification advantageous

• SACE accreditation

• At least 3 - 5 years of experience leading a team in school management and instruction with evidence of high achievement

• At least 3 years managing other managers

• Experience and practice with labour laws

• Comprehensive knowledge of the South African Primary School CAPS curriculum

Competencies:

• Critical thinking skills applied to strategic planning, data analysis, collaborative problem-solving, and confident decision-making.

• Professional, clear, and concise written and verbal communication, which can be tailored by audience and brief.

• Ability and willingness to take initiative, in order to drive one’s own development and team leadership in a fast-paced environment;

• Calm and resilience to lead self and others through challenges;

• Strong organisational skills that allow a detail-oriented approach, while maintaining a “big picture” view.

• Ability to consolidate feedback in order to clearly communicate highest leverage action steps.

Qualities:

• Grit: Persistence through challenges.

• Excellence: A track record of high expectations personally and professionally.

• Mission and Vision Alignment: Understanding of and passion for the SPARK Schools mission to provide excellent education at an affordable cost.

• Self­ Reflection: Finding the capacity to bring your best self to challenges and opportunities.

Values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, Kindness

Benefits

SPARK offers:

• fair market linked remuneration

• performance-based annual bonuses and increases

• above average/good annual leave

• life, disability and funeral cover

• employee wellness support

• educational support & study leave

• individualised professional development, support and mentorship

• employee discount on school fees

• opportunities for career growth

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa

SPARK Schools may expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.

Kindly note that should you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date please consider your application unsuccessful.