Senior Director of Multilingual Learner Instruction

Team: Special Services
Job Level: Senior Director
Reports To: Associate Chief
Location: NY, CT
Standard Work Hours: 8a-5p
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Salary Range: $130,842
Start Date: Immediate

About Achievement First

Achievement First (AF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that currently supports 41 public charter schools in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Consistently rated as one of the top charter school networks in the country, AF is committed to continuous improvement, programmatic evolution, and student success. The majority of our students are Black and Latinx children from low-income families who will be the first in their families to graduate from college. AF currently employs more than 2,200 staff—64% of whom identify as Black, Latinx, or multi-racial—who collectively educate nearly 15,000 students across our regions.

The mission of Achievement First is to deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity for all children. AF believes that every child, regardless of race, zip code, or economic status, deserves access to a high-quality education. Our students develop the skills they need to graduate from high school, succeed in college, and thrive in a competitive world. At AF, students and staff embark on a shared journey to fulfill their full potential.

Your Impact

The Senior Director of Multilingual Learner (MLL) Achievement will play a pivotal role in developing and leading Achievement First’s Language-Enriched Instructional Program (LEIP) at the network level while directly supporting MLL students and school-based leaders across regions. This leader will research and implement best practices, ensure compliance with Title funding and grant budgets, and build out the LEIP program over the next four years. They will also facilitate professional development and track MLL data to drive student achievement.

Reporting directly to the Associate Chief of Special Services you will be responsible for:

Manage and Coach 

• Directly manage the Director of MLL Achievement for Rhode Island, with the possibility of overseeing a NY/CT Director beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
• Coach and support school-based leaders across regions to ensure they effectively differentiate and customize curriculum for MLLs.

Budget Management 

• Collaborate with the finance and development teams to manage Title funding and grant budgets for MLL initiatives.

Lead MLL Program Strategic Initiatives 

• Research and codify best practices for MLL LEIP programs.
• Develop and implement a K-12 LEIP program aligned with AF’s strategic priorities over the next four years.
• Identify and recommend curricular materials necessary for the expansion and success of the MLL program.

Facilitate Professional Development 

• Design and facilitate professional development for school-based leaders and teachers to enhance MLL instruction.

Data Analysis and Systems Development 

• Analyze MLL data and develop systems to track progress across the network.

Skills You’ll Have

All candidates for this position will support AF core values, lead innovation, and manage projects to ensure our team, like our schools, are setting a high bar in all areas and pursuing it relentlessly. Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience in a similarly, fast-paced work environment.

Travel may be required to and among our schools and offices at various locations (New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). 

An ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualification:

Experience and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in education, linguistics, TESOL, or a related field preferred.
• Must hold a TESOL certification in NY, CT, or RI, or be willing to obtain reciprocity.
• At least 5 years of experience in multilingual learner instruction, program design, or educational leadership.
• Proven ability to manage teams, coach school-based leaders, and implement instructional strategies for MLL success.
• Strong financial management experience, particularly with grants and Title funding.
• Experience designing and facilitating professional development for educators.
• Proficiency in analyzing student data to inform instruction and program decisions.

Skills and Characteristics:

• Deep commitment to Achievement First’s mission and the belief that all students can succeed.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute long-term plans.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a data-driven approach.
• Highly organized with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Compensation

Achievement First sets salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on the requisite skills, education, and experience relevant to the role.  The salary for this position is $130,842, with no flexibility.  Additionally, Achievement First offers to all regular, full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid Family Leave.

Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/