Manager, School Leader Recruitment, Selection & Development

Office:

Office of Schools

Date Posted:

7/14/2026

Salary Range:

1-5 / $98,423 - $111,058

NTE Date:

N/A

Position Overview

The Office of Schools is responsible for effective management, operation and achievement of schools and provides leadership to principals, administrators, and teachers to ensure academic excellence for all students.

Divisions/Teams

• Instructional Superintendents are responsible for managing (1) the leadership of their assigned schools, (2) the performance of their assigned schools, and (3) the operations of their assigned schools. The core focus of the Instructional Superintendents is to ensure that high-quality instruction is delivered in their schools, by continually assessing the quality of curriculum, instruction, and assessment at the school level.
• School Leader Recruitment, Selection, and Development leads the strategic vision and implementation of the Equity-Centered Pipeline Initiative, building comprehensive and aligned principal pipelines grounded in the seven critical domains identified by Wallace. Their work ensures DC Public Schools recruits, selects, and develops exceptional school leaders who can bring the district’s vision of equity to life. In addition to designing and delivering robust instructional leadership programs, the team works to strengthen school leader recruitment and selection processes. By aligning these efforts with leadership development, they ensure coherence across the pipeline and improve the district’s ability to identify and support equity-centered leaders. Their programming focuses on instructional excellence, data analysis, targeted intervention, and capacity building within schools. The team also triangulates qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate leadership initiatives and ensure alignment with the developmental needs of school leaders.

School Leader Recruitment, Selection, and Development leads the strategic vision and implementation of the Equity-Centered Pipeline Initiative, building comprehensive and aligned principal pipelines grounded in the seven critical domains identified by Wallace. Their work ensures DC Public Schools recruits, selects, and develops exceptional school leaders who can bring the district’s vision of equity to life. In addition to designing and delivering robust instructional leadership programs, the team works to strengthen school leader recruitment and selection processes. By aligning these efforts with leadership development, they ensure coherence across the pipeline and improve the district’s ability to identify and support equity-centered leaders. Their programming focuses on instructional excellence, data analysis, targeted intervention, and capacity building within schools. The team also triangulates qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate leadership initiatives and ensure alignment with the developmental needs of school leaders.

The Manager, School Leader Recruitment, Selection & Development is responsible for ensuring that key elements of the school leader selection processes are implemented with fidelity by owning key projects and communicating with key stakeholders. The Manager will analyze key recruitment strategies, serve as the primary manager of applications for school-based leadership positions, coordinate selection process, and compile retention data to support strategic decisions. Among other major workstreams, this role will support leadership development initiatives, including but not limited to, project management of events and managing leadership development program data.

This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

The Manager, School Leader Recruitment, Selection & Development will report to the Deputy Chief, School Leader Recruitment, Selection, and Development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Supports the Deputy Chief with implementing key team initiatives, including innovative recruitment strategies, efficient execution of school leader selection processes, and leadership pipeline initiatives.
• Advises the SLRSD leadership team on selection process design and modifications; and helps build competency in other team members.
• Supervises all logistics of selection and leadership development events such as Candidate Assessment Day or AP Summit to ensure operations are smooth for candidates/participants.
• Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to drive collaboration; and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to ensure rigorous and accurate selection processes.
• Creates detailed project plans for the team’s leadership development workstreams; assesses and tracks project progress regularly using various programs and tools; and drives project completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.
• Builds relationships with aspiring and current school leaders and district staff to develop a deep understanding of the unique needs and cultures; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.
• Liaises with successful applicants, other departments in central office, and school leaders to ensure that applicants are well matched to schools and district staffing needs are met.
• Collaborates with the team in executing strategies and overseeing initiatives that support the retention of strong DCPS school leaders.
• Manages communication with potential and current school leader applicants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four to six years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills, as well as exceptional writing and oral communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including keen attention to detail and the ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Excellent time-management and a willingness to work non-standard hours.
• Ability to proactively identify challenges and work to find solutions.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact dcps.eeo-ada@k12.dc.gov.