CHIEF OF ACADEMICS

1/15/2026

The Chief of Academics is responsible for providing vision and strategic direction for curriculum instruction and college readiness programs. This role leads the planning and delivery of academic programs to improve student achievement across the district.

Salary

167188 - 204773 USD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

10,001+ employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

The mission of Denver Public Schools is to provide all students the opportunity to achieve the knowledge and skills necessary to become contributing citizens in our diverse society. In DPS, we’re focused on building a system that’s designed to help every student thrive. We’re re-focusing our efforts where they matter most: on creating classrooms that are vibrant centers of learning, where caring teachers are engaging their students in rigorous, culturally responsive experiences in order to lift all students toward a bright horizon. In the last ten years, DPS has experienced unprecedented growth and an expansion of programs. Building on the strong progress we’ve made, we want to continue transforming DPS into a school district grounded in equity. This districtwide focus on equity will be embedded in everything we do, so that we can help break historical patterns and become a school district that is designed to inspire every student to dream big and make their own future. View all of our current career openings here: https://careers.dpsk12.org/

About the Role

** Applications will be received until February 5, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **

About this job:

Responsible for providing vision, strategic direction for curriculum instruction, college and career readiness, and multilingual education programs. Leads the planning and delivery of all academic and instructional programs and services to improve the academic achievement and learning of all students. Aligns academic programs based on best practices, District goals, and state standards.

Reports to the Deputy Superintendent of Schools. As a values-based organization, achieves Board of Education Ends and goals through our shared commitment to Students First, Integrity, Equity, Collaboration, Accountability and Fun. Plans, assigns and supervises the work performed in the areas of responsibility; ensures compliance with District policy and practices and appropriate federal, state and local rules and regulations.

**The Chief of Academics must demonstrate a willingness to sign a confidentiality agreement. This role requires maintaining the highest level of confidentiality regarding all District matters, especially those involving the Superintendent, Chief of Staff, and the Board of Education. Ensuring trust and discretion is paramount to the success and integrity of this position.

What DPS Offers You:

A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
Salary Range: $167,188 - $204,773 annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles.
In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement.

What You'll Do:

Implements the Academic Supports Strategic Plan that is aligned with the District’s academic goals defined in the Denver Plan.
Ensures that the divisions within the department are working in a cohesive manner to successfully implement the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) in all District elementary, middle, and high schools.
Supervises staff, ensuring teams develop and deliver curricular and instructional programs and services for all content areas that are based on best practices and aligned with standards and that teachers and principals have the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver effective academic programming so that students receive a highly personalized, standards-based learning experience.
Aligns staffing and budget with the team’s strategies to ensure goals are achieved; executes financial and human resources management practices (with support from the Budget Office and Human Resources) to ensure resources are optimally used in support of student success.
Develops systems to communicate and collaborate effectively with other members of the team and other District departments; engages the Instructional Superintendents to enthusiastically support the implementation of academic programming.
Remains knowledgeable about and shapes research and best practices regarding leadership and management, implementation of standards, adult learning, personalized learning and student assessments; effectively share knowledge and expertise.
Strategically manages multiple grants and relationships with grant funders, as needed.

What You’ll Need:

Minimum of a Master's Degree in Education.
Ten (10) years of experience and leadership in urban school systems.
Seven (7) years of experience in Management.
Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education.
Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.
Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.

Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun

Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation. DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.

DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth. Learn more at dpsk12.org.

Key Skills

Curriculum DevelopmentInstructional LeadershipStrategic PlanningBudget ManagementTeam SupervisionEducational EquityCollaborationCommunicationGrant ManagementResearchAdult LearningPersonalized LearningStudent AssessmentsComplianceBest PracticesMultilingual Education