Cherry Creek School District No. 5, Denver, CO Superintendent

Position Description for Cherry Creek Schools Arapahoe County Colorado

The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education in Arapahoe County Colorado is seeking a highly qualified Superintendent.

McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C. Executive Recruitment and Development has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the governing board in identifying and screening the candidates.

Enrollment:52000

Location: Denver-metro area: Cities of Centennial Aurora Cherry Hills Village Greenwood Village Foxfield Glendale and Englewood as well as areas of unincorporated Arapahoe County Colorado.

The Qualifications:

The candidate must be a visible high-integrity equity-focused and student-centered leader who models transparency and builds trust across many constituencies leads strategy manages complex operations and brings people together to execute a clear vision for improved student outcomes.

The Board of Education has identified the following core leadership qualities and priorities as essential criteria for success:

Core Character and Ethics

• Integrity honesty and a strong moral compass.
• Transparency and accountability as expected norms.
• Courage to make difficult decisions while staying student-centered.

Student-Centered Vision and Equity

• Commitment to equity multiculturalism and closing achievement gaps.
• Unwavering focus on students as the driver of all decisions.
• Clear instructional vision tied to demonstrated student growth and achievement.

Strategic and Instructional Leadership

• Ability to articulate and execute a forward-looking vision in a changing education landscape.
• Demonstrated success driving measurable student achievement.
• Committed to action and ability to lead meaningful change.
• Capacity to lead strategic plans while adapting to funding constraints and enrollment shifts.

Communication and Public Presence

• Clear effective communicator internally and externally.
• Ability to serve as a visible ambassador for the district.
• Public speaking community engagement and responsiveness.

Collaborative Relationship-Driven Leadership

• Strong engagement with diverse stakeholders.
• Emphasis on listening and fostering shared ownership.
• Skilled in board relations and political awareness without being political.

Organizational and Team Leadership

• Ability to build develop and retain a high-functioning leadership team.
• Prioritizes staff morale culture and motivation.
• Success managing complex systems and multiple constituencies simultaneously.
• Strong financial stewardship budgeting and taxpayer accountability.

Additional Requirements: CCSD Superintendent Job DescriptionCCSD Superintendent Job Description

Compensation: $295000 - $335000 subject to negotiation and comprehensive benefits package.

Search Timeline (subject to change):

Closing date for applications:October 15 2026 (11:59 p.m. central time)

Preliminary Interviews: December 8-9 2026

Selection of Finalist: January 11 2027

Selection of new Superintendent:To Be Determined

Contact information:

McPherson & Jacobson L.L.C.

11725 Arbor Street Suite 220

Omaha NE 68144

Email:

District Website:

Dr. Steve Joel

Dr. Walt Cooper

Dr. Deborah White

Dr. Randy Zila

Cherry Creek School District 5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex age national origin family composition; parental status marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression ancestry creed or disability and when needed will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Anyone requesting reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process please contact McPherson & Jacobson at the address/phone/email above.