Executive Director CareerTechnicalVocational Education (Anticipated Vacancy) (SY26-27

This position is an anticipated vacancy. It is expected to be vacant by3/31/2026 However the current incumbent has a right to rescind their retirement leave or resignation up until the day of the expected vacancy date. Your hire will not be confirmed until the position is vacated and you may start the year as a Long-Term Substitute if the position does not become vacant by the start of the school year.

REPORTS TO: Assistant Superintendent of College Career and Life Readiness

OVERVIEW:

Boston Public Schools (BPS) founded in 1647 as the nations first public school district serves approximately 48000 students representing more than 141 countries. With nearly 10000 employees including 4800 educators BPS is the largest and one of the most diverse districts in Massachusetts. The Office of College Career & Life Readiness leads districtwide efforts to expand Student Re-Engagement Services Educational Options Postsecondary Initiatives & Partnerships Career and Technical Education (CTE) Early College (EC) and School Counseling. Our mission is to design enriching equitable school experiences that enable every student to develop and achieve their individual vision of success.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

BPS seeks an Executive Director for Career Technical and Vocational Education. The Executive Director provides strategic instructional and operational leadership for all career technical and vocational programs across BPS driving their growth to advance the college career and life readiness of every student. This role oversees the full implementation of CTE programming districtwide ensuring that all participants progress toward meaningful employment and/or postsecondary opportunities within a defined Career Pathway. The Executive Director also serves as the districts primary liaison to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and is responsible for all required CTE reporting and compliance.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute a comprehensive vision for CTE that expands access identifies opportunities for new pathways improves program quality and advances equitable outcomes for all BPS students.
• Lead multi-year planning process with school teams for program innovation expansion and sustainability aligned with workforce needs and district priorities.
• Use data to assess overall program performance close opportunity and achievement gaps and prescribe actions for continuous improvement.
• Establish and provide leadership for a collaborative team to ensure that curriculum and instruction initiatives are student-focused and aligned with DESE requirements BPS mission and beliefs and school goals and improvement plans
• Stay current with educational and workforce development research and make recommendations for long-term adjustments additions and deletions in programs to meet changing student interest job trends and needs
• Represent BPS at local regional and state meetings and workshops as required and appropriate

Program Management & Oversight

• Partner with school administrators to implement quality Chapter 74 non-Chapter 74 CTE programs and Innovation Career Pathways
• Ensure programs meet DESE standards and industry expectations including curriculum updates credential alignment and safety requirements.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and in-service training to CTE directors and teachers
• Monitor grants implementation to ensure compliance with objectives and guidelines
• Coordinate with the leadership at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and support the implementation of programming at the site
• Work with the Madison Park Co-Op Coordinator and the BPS Legal Office to facilitate cooperative education placements for juniors and seniors in accordance with DESE regulations.
• Coordinate with adult education and support adult vocational technical programs
• Work with school counseling staff to implement career interest assessments as part of each students My Career & Academic Plans (MyCAP) and update four-year plans for grades 9-12

Partnerships & Postsecondary Pathways

• Cultivate partnerships with employers unions higher education institutions community organizations and workforce boards.
• Work to identify and define local internship and job opportunities and the role of the schools in connecting students to opportunities
• Strengthen alignment between CTE programs Early College dual enrollment advanced placement and postsecondary pathways.
• Maintain and develop program articulations with colleges
• Establish advisories/committees with special emphasis on program planning assessment evaluation placement and follow-up

Budget & Resource Management

• Work collaboratively with Assistant Superintendent CCLR to manage all related budgets (CTE Perkins Grant funds etc.)
• Develop and coordinate the use of Perkins funds to ensure compliance with federal law
• Ensure effective allocation of equipment technology and facility resources across programs
• Seek out and apply for federal state and private grants to support technical/vocational education

Compliance & Reporting

• Serve as the districts primary point of contact with DESE for all matters related to CTE.
• Oversee timely submission of required DESE and federal reporting including Chapter 74 applications renewals and annual reports.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable regulations including safety standards credentialing requirements and civil rights compliance.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of CCLR Chief of Schools and/or the Superintendent.

Supervise two (2) district managerial FTEs

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED:

• Massachusetts Vocational Technical Education Administrator or Vocational Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent License
• Masters degree in Education Educational Leadership or related field
• Three (3) years of successful teaching experience
• Five to seven (5-7) years of successful educational administration and supervision in CTE
• Demonstrated commitment to the academic achievement of urban students
• Experience with curriculum and universal design
• Familiarity with national state and district educational goals and standards
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage multiple complex projects
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with minimal supervision and within tight deadlines
• Proven ability to design and facilitate high-quality professional learning experiences
• Strong data literacy including the ability to analyze student-level or implementation data and apply findings to improve practice
• Technological proficiency including the ability to create user-friendly systems tools and communications
• Excellent interpersonal written and oral communication skills
• Clear evidence of leadership in eliminating racial opportunity and achievement gaps and the ability to examine systems and policies through a racial equity lens

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED:

• Demonstrated leadership qualities and interpersonal attributes necessary to work effectively with diverse groups of students families teachers administrators and partners
• Experience with developing programs serving high school youth and familiarity with public school environments policy and operations
• Successful experience measuring outcomes troubleshooting and producing desirable results
• Strongly held belief that all students are capable of succeeding in school and beyond
• Ability to think strategically and execute responsibilities effectively
• Capacity for accuracy and accountability
• High enthusiasm strong organizational skills and a strong work ethic

TERMS: Managerial D71 ($149720)

The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race color age criminal record (inquiries only) disability homelessness sex/gender gender identity religion national origin ancestry sexual orientation genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Required Experience:

Director