Executive Director of Instruction (2026-2027 SY)

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Instruction plays a critical leadership role in HISD's high-performance culture by overseeing and supporting approximately 6-10 schools. This position is responsible for leading a cross-functional team to ensure each campus delivers rigorous, high-quality instruction while addressing the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. The Executive Director is accountable for improving instructional quality and student outcomes across a feeder pattern by coaching, evaluating, and developing principals through a pay-for-performance framework rooted in clear, data-informed metrics.

As a key member of the leadership team, this role partners with Division Chiefs and other district departments to align resources and supports for schools, ensuring principals are equipped to lead instructionally excellent campuses. This position embodies HISD’s vision for system-wide transformation by building capacity, removing barriers to success, and ensuring all students are on a pathway to long-term economic opportunity and civic participation.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

    
List most important duties first
1. Build and supervise a team of campus support leaders to develop and grow effective instructional leadership at every school, ensuring a unified focus on instructional quality and classroom impact across the feeder pattern.
2. Provide leadership in principal coaching and performance management, supporting data-driven decision-making and continuous instructional improvement to elevate academic outcomes and student well-being.
3. Champion equity and inclusivity by supporting principals in addressing the needs of all student populations—including students with disabilities, English learners, and those experiencing poverty—with intentional strategies and targeted resources.
4. Foster positive school culture and stakeholder engagement by guiding principals in driving satisfaction among families, staff, and students while maintaining a relentless focus on student academic growth.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

5. Serve as a cross-functional leader, ensuring schools receive effective and timely operational support—including human capital, finance, facilities, transportation, nutrition, and services for special populations—aligned with instructional priorities.
6. Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations by supporting principals in meeting safety, academic, and operational accountability standards across all school operations
7. Perform other job-related duties as assigned, contributing to the district's broader mission of excellence and transformation through responsive, high-quality service to schools.
8. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

5+ years of successful experience as principal or other related position, ideally 
Thorough knowledge of board policy and procedures; working knowledge of federal and state laws regulations, policies and procedures 
Proven effectiveness as coach or mentor of others in leadership positions

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Microsoft Office
Teacher Certification
School Administrator Certification
School Principal leadership preferred

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs two or more levels of management deploying ongoing key initiatives covering multiple areas of discipline with direct accountability for results in terms of effectiveness, costs, methods, and employees. Establishes achievement objectives and assignments for multiple disciplines/functional areas and possibly departments. Evaluates recommendations of others, deciding on course of action in ambiguous situations, and oversees the deployment of innovative solutions. Collaborates with senior leadership to develop strategies and broad departmental objectives; establishes methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for projects, programs and people in the achievement of strategic objectives. Directly supervises principals and indirectly supervises all teachers in the feeder-pattern(s). Full management responsibilities for multiple schools including all aspects of line responsibility.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant