Executive Director

The Executive Director is responsible for overall student and school performance and organizational management, and will be the primary person responsible for maintenance of the school’s culture and the viability of the school over time. The Executive Director is hired, evaluated by, and will report directly to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director will oversee all operations carried out by the Directors of the Middle and High School and other school leaders. The Executive Director will also be the primary external representative of the school.

Responsibilities:

• Communicate the school’s vision and implement a plan to consistently achieve that vision
• Collaborate with school leaders concerning student achievement and student assessment (internal and external)
• Oversee, continually evaluate, and remain accountable for all school programs, finances, facilities, and operations through the management and oversight of all day-to-day activities of the school
• Develop and implement the school budget in collaboration with school leaders, the Soulsville Foundation CFO, TSCS’s financial firm, and the school Board
• Oversee school-wide strategic planning
• Ensure compliance with school charter and with requirements set forth by the Memphis-Shelby County School District (e.g., accountability plan, budget reports, annual report)
• Ensure compliance with local, state and federal regulations
• Oversee and collaborate with school leaders regarding faculty and staff recruitment, selection, orientation, development, evaluation, supervision, retention, and dismissal
• Oversee student recruitment and enrollment
• Collaborate with Middle and High School Directors concerning student discipline cases regarding withdrawal
• Promote the school in the community and in the media
• Build and maintain relationships with the Soulsville Foundation staff, the community, and organizations external to the school
• Articulate and model the school’s values to students, families, staff, and the community
• Maintain strong communication with the Board of Directors through participation in full board and board committee meetings and monthly reports to the Board on the financial and academic health of the school.
• Provide support to the Board by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials
• Ensure adequate funding of the school
• Identify and evaluate the risks to people (school leaders, staff, management, volunteers, students), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks
• Raise funds from public and private sources to supplement state and local revenue

Characteristics and Qualifications:

• A commitment to The Soulsville Charter School and its values; an understanding of its mission and unwavering commitment to fulfill it
• A capacity to motivate others within the school to daily achieve the mission and to reach the goals set forth in the charter
• An analytical problem-solver who is solutions-oriented
• A high level of personal integrity and professionalism
• Openness to feedback, and a willingness to take personal responsibility for the affairs of the school
• Business and/or management experience in an academic or corporate setting
• Experience with educating urban youth
• Experience managing a team
• Experience with successful completion of multifaceted projects
• Able to communicate effectively with a team and with students and parents
• Bachelor’s degree is required, advanced degree is preferred

School Overview

The Soulsville Charter School (TSCS)’s mission is to prepare students for success in college and life in an academically rigorous, music-rich environment. Located in the inner-city neighborhood of Soulsville, USA, in Memphis, TN, TSCS is adjacent to the site of historic Stax Records, where the Stax Museum of American Soul Music now celebrates and preserves the Stax story.  TSCS began with sixty sixth graders in 2005 and now serves 660 students in grades 6-12 with about a third of the students living in the Soulsville community and majority economically disadvantaged.  TSCS is a tuition-free, public charter school that is about changing kids’ life trajectories.

TSCS is one of the Memphis charters outperforming traditional neighborhood schools. –Stanford CREDO Study

The Soulsville Charter School’s unique college-prep programming and school culture includes:

• Mission-Aligned Team
• Focused Approach to Instructional Culture
• Character Education
• School-Wide Culture: Consistency for Students and Staff
• College Guidance and Alumni Support
• Band, Choir, and Orchestra Programs for Grades 6th-12th
• Summer Growth Experiences for All Students
• Unique Exposure Opportunities for Students
• Community Partnerships