Executive Director of Alternative Programs

Executive Director of Alternative Programs

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary:

The Executive Director of Alternative Programs provides visionary leadership and operational oversight for the district’s alternative education offerings, including Aspire MS/HS, Virtual Academy, T3 (Trauma\-Informed Therapeutic Teaching), and the Day Treatment Center. This role ensures high\-quality instruction, supports student achievement, fosters safe and supportive environments, and aligns program operations with district goals and regulatory requirements.

The Executive Director of Alternative Programs, under minimal supervision, performs senior\-level work with extensive decision\-making discretion, overseeing the school organization, its operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment that promotes belonging and academic success. The Executive Director of Alternative Programs provides decisive leadership grounded in strong instructional knowledge, effective management practices, and a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. Employee performs highly advanced and supervisory work to carry out Board of Education policies and procedures under the direction of the Superintendent

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in educational leadership, administration, or related field.
• SC Principal Certification or eligibility to obtain required
• Minimum of three (3\) years' experience as a building or district administrator preferred
• Proven experience in school or program leadership, with increasing levels of responsibility in alternative education preferred.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education

Preferred Qualifications:

• Secondary administrative experience with demonstrated success improving academic achievement, graduation rates, and postsecondary readiness.
• Proven ability to establish fair, consistent discipline systems and create a safe, orderly learning environment.
• Strong instructional leadership in secondary scheduling, MTSS/RTI, college and career pathways, and data\-driven decision\-making.
• Demonstrated success building trust through visibility, accessibility, and accountability.
• Proven ability to elevate staff professionalism, morale, collaboration, and instructional quality.
• Exceptional communication skills with experience engaging families in academics, graduation planning, and postsecondary transitions.
• Demonstrated success fostering student voice, leadership, school pride, and meaningful community partnerships.
• Strong commitment to equity, inclusion, character education, and holistic student development.

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures
• Support and uphold the mission, vision, and strategic priorities of the district
• Oversee the academic success and well\-being of each student by facilitating the development, communication,/ implementation, and evaluation of a shared vision of learning that reflects excellence and equity
• Lead the development and alignment of the organizational, instructional, and assessment strategies that enhance teaching and learning
• Initiate and maintain strategies to promote collegiality and collaboration among the staff to ensure high expectations for professional work, ethical and equitable practice, child\-centered education, and continuous individual and organizational improvement
• Build and sustain productive partnerships with public and private sectors, such as businesses and institutions of higher learning, to promote school improvement and student learning
• Collaborate with school and district staff to plan and implement professional development activities that promote the achievement of school and district goals
• Use data from multiple sources to monitor student learning, guide instructional decisions, and close achievement gaps
• Provide meaningful feedback, coaching, and evaluation in accordance with state and district policies and procedures
• Oversee and monitor the implementation of emergency operations and crisis response plans
• Oversee and manage the program budgets in accordance with local, state, and federal laws
• Complete local, state, or federal surveys and reports accurately and promptly
• Facilitate/participate in professional development workshops and leadership training
• Create an inclusive environment with positive communication/public relations
• Perform related work as assigned or required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive in\-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of public\-school administration
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements applicable to public school administration Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of school\-based management, curriculum, organizational patterns, school operations, and student services
• Thorough knowledge of county and school board policies, procedures, and standards regarding school administration
• Ability to maintain professional and emotional control under stress
• Ability to reflect appropriate responses to situations, while maintaining a professional and personal demeanor
• Ability to learn and use specialized tools, equipment or software related to business needs
• Ability to develop and monitor a budget
• Ability to direct and evaluate the work of others
• Ability to implement local, state, and federal rules, guidelines, and procedures into daily business operations
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to reason, make judgments, and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to employ positive communication skills in all settings/mediums
• Ability to solve problems by utilizing sound judgment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding school system business
• Ability to develop related charts, graphs, reports, and records pertaining to school planning and strategy
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and exercise sound judgement
• Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate new and/or current programs
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed work, planning, risk assessments, and associated risk mitigation actions
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a deadline\-driven, rapidly changing team environment

Leadership and Program Oversight:

• Oversee the strategic planning, daily operations, and continuous improvement of all alternative education programs.
• Supervise and evaluate program directors, administrators, and staff.
• Serve as building\-level administrator for the Flexible Learning Center, including responsibility for facilities and maintenance coordination.
• Lead program alignment efforts to ensure each initiative reflects district mission, equity goals, and strategic priorities.

Instructional Leadership and Student Support:

• Promote a culture of high expectations, equity, and academic success for all students.
• Ensure alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment with state and district standards.
• Support teachers through professional development, PLCs, coaching, and collaboration.
• Guide re\-entry planning and transition strategies for students moving between alternative and traditional school settings.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director of Secondary Service Team to integrate counseling and therapeutic services.

School Safety and Climate:

• Administer and ensure compliance with district, state, and federal school safety regulations.
• Establish and reinforce standards for positive student behavior and respectful conflict resolution.
• Foster a caring school climate through family engagement, culturally responsive practices, and student\-centered supports.

Data\-Driven Planning and Accountability:

• Lead the development and evaluation of data\-informed school improvement plans.
• Monitor academic performance, attendance, behavioral trends, and other key metrics.

Evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for innovation and refinement.

Fiscal and Resource Management:

• Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets to ensure responsible use of funds.
• Oversee the implementation and compliance of federal and state grant funding.
• Write and manage grants to support alternative program initiatives.
• Coordinate with external vendors and partners, including SFE and the Boys and Girls Club.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Act as liaison between alternative programs, district departments, families, and the community.
• Facilitate communication with stakeholders through meetings, reports, and presentations.
• Represent the district in forums that promote alternative education and community partnerships.

Administrative Duties and Special Projects:

• Chair and participate in district committees (e.g., curriculum, safety, equity).
• Maintain an updated schedule of school site visits and monitor building\-level operations.
• Delegate tasks effectively to ensure efficiency and alignment with strategic goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by district leadership.

Special Requirements:

• Must have and maintain a valid Driver’s License or ability to provide own transportation.
• May be required to travel to school district buildings and professional meetings.
• The normal place of work is on the premises used by Rock Hill Schools.
• Rock Hill Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require.
• Prior to beginning employment, negative TB test results must be provided.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten pounds of force
• Work regularly requires exchange of accurate and detailed information through oral and written communication
• Constantly operates a computer and other office business equipment
• Ability to remain in stationary position for required meetings/work
• Ability to move to other work locations
• Visual acuity requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating standard office equipment, and the use of advanced technology
• Work may include constant interruptions, inflexible deadlines, and changes to normal routines
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions
• Must be adaptable to performing under mild to high levels of stress
• Must be on\-call as a regular part of the job

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts, three professional references with at least one supervisory reference and a copy of the appropriate credentials as part of the application process.

Pre\-Onboarding Requirements

As a condition of employment and prior to onboarding, the district will conduct a criminal history background check. The recommended candidate will be required to provide personal information necessary to complete the background check such as date of birth, gender, and race to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job. Job description is sourced from employee interviews, internal documents, representative job descriptions in similar districts, and other state/federal agencies.

*Rock Hill Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.*

Updated 2026