Senior Associate Commissioner for District and School Assistance

The Senior Associate Commissioner of District and School Assistance will be responsible for the overall management and strategy related to the improvement of persistently low-performing schools in the commonwealth. The position is a senior level position, serving on cabinet, and reporting to Deputy Commissioner Lauren Woo.

The position oversees the Commissioner's Accelerating Achievement Initiative, a new school improvement support initiative targeting a set of selected low-performing schools. To facilitate more sustained improvement in these schools the office will develop and implement a more rigorous approach to improvement planning in these schools and a refined support and assistance model.

To accomplish this initiative, under the direction of the senior associate commissioner, the office will:

- Engage these schools in a planning process that is tightly aligned to a framework for school improvement, anchored in the Department's decades of research on successful school improvement practices.

- Support the schools in undertaking a multi-year improvement planning and implementation process

- Incubate and incentivize innovative models and programs to support academic achievement and school improvement.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Provide administrative leadership and supervision to assigned unit offices, including the development of operational plans, oversight of day-to-day operational activities, allocation of budgetary and staffing resources, and supervision and mentoring of subordinate managers to attain goals.

Strategic planning, including the evaluation of existing programs and the development of new programs, initiatives, and activities to achieve the Department's mission and/or improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Department operations to positively impact students, including incubating and incentivizing innovation.

Direct oversight and leadership responsibility of major projects assigned by the Commissioner and/or Deputy Commissioner which involve staff from other Department units and/or staff from other agencies.

Provide oversight and direction on policy development and implementation on school improvement programming across the agency including coordination across offices within DESE. Support the coordination and development of policy related to key governmental agencies and bodies, including the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Maintain a high level of expertise in the assigned areas of work, including attendance at national conferences, review of relevant research and studies, and discussions with officials in the U.S. Department of Education and other state education agencies, to ensure that Department programs and activities are informed by data-driven research and best practices.

Ensure that supervised staff, staff elsewhere in the Department, and outside stakeholder groups are communicating effectively together in a productive, collegial relationship.

Other duties as assigned by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner (e.g responding to constituents, presenting at Board Meetings, etc.)

Represent DESE at meetings with external groups as needed, including presenting at the BESE meetings.

Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth may be required.

The position will report to the Everett office 5 days/week.

Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be referred to Maureen O'Brien @ maureen.t.o'brien@mass.gov

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough understanding of public policy and educational practice at the district and state level;

• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of secondary school programming;

• Ability to articulate a clear vision of high-quality education for persistently low performing schools;

• Experience in implementing state and federal laws and program standards;

• Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively establish dialogue with all stakeholder groups; and,

• Experience and background in a leadership position in school or district or educational organization.

• 5-10 years of experience with senior level leadership in an educational setting;

• Extensive experience in education policy development and program implementation;

• 5-10 years of experience in supervising professional education-related staff.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Client-provided location(s): Revere, MA

Job ID: Commonwealth_of_Massachusetts-25000846

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2025-12-09T18:36:10