Goethe International Charter School (GICS), Executive Director

ORGANIZATION

Since 2009, Goethe International Charter School (GICS) has been offering a unique learning program with an international focus. GICS is a tuition-free independent charter school located in Los Angeles and authorized by LAUSD that provides a rigorous curriculum for all students that challenges the mind and nourishes the heart. Named after poet, playwright, and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (pronounced “Gurta”) GICS is an authorized International Baccalaureate World School and includes dual language German immersion and Language Acquisition (Spanish and German) programs which underscore the school’s global perspective. Goethe International Charter School has earned recognition as a California Distinguished School in 2023 and 2014, a Gold Ribbon School in 2016, a Green Ribbon School in 2017, and has also earned full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Its approach to learning is based on Inquiry and encourages critical thinking for all students. 

To learn more about Goethe International Charter School, please visit www.goethe charter school.org. 

OPPORTUNITY

The Executive Director will lead, manage, and oversee all functions of GICS, partnering with other leaders to ensure the school maintains high-quality educational programs, student performance, sound fiscal management, school operations, community relations, facilities development, positive working relationships with LAUSD, recruitment, and retention of staff. This is an excellent opportunity for an exceptional academic and operational leader with a deep commitment to providing a relevant and engaging, internationally inspired, and dual language learning experience for a diverse group of students and families in West Los Angeles. GICS’ students come from families where dozens of home languages are spoken and everyone on campus values its international focus and commitment to ensuring all students and families feel welcome and included.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative and Organizational Leadership:

• Collaborate with the leadership team to define, establish, and uphold GICS policies
• Hire and supervise leadership team, and other staff positions as needed
• Ensure a well-run, welcoming, and professional culture that includes comprehensive and thoughtful development and evaluation processes to help all staff reach goals and improve their performance

Finance and Operations: 

• Develop and implement financial strategy; facilitate budgeting, monitoring, cash management, vendor negotiations, risk management, and financial/tax/other external reporting and audits
• Oversee leaders in charge of school operations and facilities
• Lead fund development strategies, raising funds to supplement state, federal, and local revenues

Academic Leadership: 

• Manage and collaborate with the principal and other instructional leaders to ensure the school’s dual language and IB curriculum are implemented at a high level for all students
• Support instructional leaders in developing excellent academic practices school-wide, across grade levels, and individually

Community Engagement: 

• Ensure effective and frequent communications and engagement across multiple stakeholder groups (parents, Board of Directors, staff, students, district authorizers, etc.)
• Serve as primary liaison to the Board and to the larger community

School Culture and Climate: 

• Develop and maintain a positive and inclusive school climate
• Ensure systematic interventions occur whenever students are struggling
• Monitor the quality and effectiveness of interventions to ensure they are rigorous, disciplined, and high-impact

Requirements

• An accomplished leader with 5+ years of success in educational leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree required; CA administrator credential preferred.
• A passionate advocate for all students and families who has a commitment to maintaining a strong culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated commitment to GICS’ mission to provide a rigorous curriculum for all students that challenges the mind and nourishes the heart. 
• A seasoned professional and experienced manager who knows how to recruit, coach, and develop teachers and staff at all levels.
• Knowledgeable about the academic and social-emotional needs of students, especially those of different racial, linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Experience with financial management, lease negotiation, compliance, regulatory reporting, legal, policy development/implementation, and risk management; experience with CA schools preferred.
• Dynamic and versatile, able to engage a variety of stakeholders in dialogue and speak in a clear, compelling, and authentic manner both about the school’s goals and priorities and the leader’s decision-making process and plans towards meeting them.
• Culturally competent and a self-reflective leader who understands the effects of race, class, ethnicity, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and other issues of difference in society and is able to lead direct conversations about them.
• Experience with International Baccalaureate and/or dual language immersion programs preferred.

Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $160,000-$190,000 and robust benefits including medical, dental, and retirement. More details can be provided upon request.

For additional questions about this position or to speak with someone about your interest, please contact Mara Cooper at [email protected].

Goethe International Charter School is an equal-opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.