River Charter Schools, Executive Director

ORGANIZATION 

River Charter Schools (RCS) is a mission-driven, student-centered charter school network rooted in Yolo County, California. Our schools—including Delta Elementary Charter School and Lighthouse Charter School—are known for their nurturing environments, strong community ties, and commitment to academic excellence. RCS provides high-quality, public TK–8 education that engages students through whole-child learning models, project-based instruction, and robust music and arts programming.

Founded on the belief that children thrive in small, inclusive, and innovative learning communities, River Charter Schools is dedicated to developing students who are not only academically successful but also socially responsible and emotionally grounded. With a focus on equity, creativity, and collaboration, RCS empowers educators, supports families, and builds partnerships that ensure every student is prepared for a lifetime of learning and leadership.

To learn more about River Charter Schools, please visit www.rivercharterschools.org. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the executive leader of River Charter Schools (RCS), overseeing and enhancing all operational functions to ensure the organization delivers outstanding performance while maintaining financial sustainability. The ED leads central office teams across human resources, data, technology, operations, leadership development, and academic management. This role also plays a critical part in shaping and executing the organization’s long-term strategic vision, ensuring alignment with RCS's mission, values, and commitment to equity and transparency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The ED shall perform the duties prescribed by the laws of the State of California and Board policy. The ED shall implement all Board decisions and shall have primary responsibility for making recommendations to the Board regarding matters in finance, human resources, operations, and contracting.

Budget & Financial Oversight

• Manage annual operating and capital budgets totaling between ten and fifteen million dollars.
• Support the Special Education Coordinator, and school principals in budget development and financial monitoring.
• Ensure all fiscal operations are aligned with internal policies and long-term financial health.

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the central cabinet, actively contributing to strategic planning and execution.
• Guide the continuous improvement of support systems and communication across schools.
• Foster a high-performance culture through strong recruitment, training, and retention strategies.
• Support school principals and act as a key contact for addressing operational needs.

Central Operations

• Supervise and support the home office staff in delivering high-quality, compliant services including procurement and vendor management.
• Lead the implementation of continuous improvement processes across the organization.
• Facilitate regular opportunities for staff feedback to enhance operational effectiveness.

Governance & Board Relations

• Facilitate meetings of the Board of Directors and present regular updates on organizational progress.
• Maintain and update Board policies to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Board on finance, operations, and human resources matters.

Compliance & Governance

• Participate as a cabinet-level member of the River Charter Schools Leadership Team, contributing to system-wide policies and initiatives.
• Ensure that site operations adhere to the school’s charter, RCS policies, safety procedures, and applicable statutes and regulations.
• Maintain transparency and accountability through clear communication and effective reporting.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic leadership and organizational planning skills to guide multi-departmental teams toward mission-aligned goals.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including presenting to Boards and facilitating cross-functional collaboration.
• Proven ability to manage complex operational systems across HR, finance, IT, data, and academic support services.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills with the ability to foster trust and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change management efforts and cultivate a high-performance, equity-centered culture.
• High-level project management capabilities, with attention to detail, organization, and the ability to prioritize competing demands effectively.
• Capacity for independent problem-solving and proactive decision-making in a dynamic educational environment.

Essential Knowledge & Competence

• Deep understanding of public education operations, with emphasis on charter school governance, compliance, and finance.
• Knowledge of TK–8 educational systems, enrollment strategies, and academic operations.
• Proficiency in organizational performance metrics, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Comprehensive knowledge of California education laws, public meeting regulations (e.g., Brown Act), and board governance standards.
• Competence in human resources leadership, including workforce development, staff
• engagement, and policy implementation.
• Familiarity with procurement practices, vendor management, and resource optimization within a nonprofit or educational setting.

Education, Training, & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, Education, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in operational management in the Education environment.
• Experience working in or with charter schools is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with school-based operational structures strongly preferred.

Travel & Work Conditions

• Hybrid role with regular travel to River Charter Schools and within the broader community.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position will include office and school environments. The employee must be able to:

• Lift, carry, push and/or pull items with a strength factor relevant to the work performed.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone is required.
• The ability to see/read a variety of materials and observe safety hazards is required.
• Possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
• Sit, stand, or walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend at the waist, kneel or crouch to file materials.
• Reach above shoulders to file materials.
• Climb a stool/ladder.

Decision-Making Authority

• In accordance with policies of the Board, the ED shall have power within the limits of major appropriations approved by the Board to approve and direct all purchases and expenditures.
• The ED shall have the power to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Governing Board (Education Code 35035). The Governing Board shall delegate this power to the ED by a majority vote. (Education Code 39656).

This position offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 to $180,000, commensurate with experience. The benefits package includes medical, dental, 12 paid sick days, a 210-day contract, and participation in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). Additional details are available upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/F75EA496E3/.

Riv er Charter Schools 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.