Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The Assistant Director for K-12 Engagement will serve as a central liaison between Washington University and critical K-12 partners, including local school districts, charter schools, related government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.

This role is integral to strengthening relationships with external partners and facilitating access to university resources that support K-12 initiatives. Through deep collaboration with WashU departments and local school leadership, the Assistant Director will coordinate resources, identify opportunities for engagement, and enhance support tailored to community and school needs. Additionally, this role will monitor key performance metrics, support governance, and ensure compliance for the university’s sponsored charter schools, including providing oversight for KIPP and aligning charter school support with university priorities.

There is some required travel in the St. Louis, MO area where charter schools are located to participate in board meetings and school evaluation visits. Additional statewide and national travel on a limited basis may also be required.

Job Description

Partnership Support and Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a central liaison between the university and local K-12 district leaders, ensuring effective partnerships and communication.
• Act as a representative for external educational stakeholders, including KIPP charter schools and other regional K-12 entities.
• Conduct proactive outreach to key districts to understand their needs, providing tailored, high-touch support by connecting them with university resources.
• Manage and build strong working relationships with key charter school stakeholders (e.g. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education staff, the Missouri Charter Public School Association, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, departments within the University, etc.).
• Attend board meetings for various public and charter school partners.
   

Convene K-12 Leaders and Facilitate Internal K-12 Collaboration

• Organize and host a quarterly series where local K-12 leaders and educators engage with WashU experts, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration on key educational topics.
• Convene a quarterly roundtable for university leaders involved in K-12 initiatives to improve collaboration, foster connections, and ensure coordination across departments.

Data Collection, Reporting, and Communications

• Partner with Assistant Director, Data and Evaluation to collect, analyze and report institution-wide data to measure the university’s K-12 spending and its impact on local schools, informing strategic decisions and reporting progress to leadership.
• Partner with the Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications to develop and implement a communication strategy for local K-12 leaders, ensuring they receive timely and relevant information about university resources and opportunities.
• Develop a system for monitoring University expenses related to charter schools.
• Develop systems for collecting and sharing updates from faculty and staff working in local K-12 schools, ensuring transparency and alignment of university efforts.
• Provide input/feedback in the development of annual budgets for the University’s charter schools.
• Complete the annual sponsor financial report to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education that details annual expenditures.

School Governance, Compliance and Sponsorship

• Lead, monitor, and report on the effective oversight of WU-sponsored charter schools according to their charter contracts and performance frameworks.
• Establish a state-of-the-art performance review system for University-sponsored charter schools to ensure that all schools within the University’s charter network maintain a high level of performance.
• Monitor changes to charter school compliance best practices and related legal issues at the state and federal level; keep the University apprised of relevant changes; implement appropriate best practices and/or effect necessary system changes.
• Recommend appropriate action on renewal, performance improvement contracts, revocation, or closure of sponsored charter schools to the University; negotiate changes to existing charter contracts and performance frameworks.
• Ensure the University is executing its responsibilities in alignment with its mission of sponsoring high-quality public charter schools and its goal of continuously improving student learning and outcomes. Initiate and/or respond to special requests/projects to help improve the overall quality of the charter school system, as appropriate.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment.
• Ability to travel to various on and off campus locations. Some required travel in the St. Louis, MO area where charter schools are located to participate in board meetings and school evaluation visits. Additional statewide and national travel on a limited basis may also be required.
   

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
   

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Education (5 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• The successful candidate will be familiar with K-12 education, higher education, or education program management, with knowledge of K-12 education systems and challenges, particularly those related to college readiness and equity in education.
• Experience working with charter authorizers, educational regulatory bodies, or governance boards.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Doctorate

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Board Governance, Business Communications, Charter Schools, College Readiness, Data Analysis, Educational Equity, Education Funding, Education Program Management, Financial Oversight, Fundraising, Grant Writing, Organizing, Partnership Development, Primary Education, Program Coordination, Program Evaluations, Regulatory Frameworks, Relationship Management

Grade

G12

Salary Range

$58,400.00 - $99,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.