Primary School Academic Director; Principal Pool

Uplift

Education:

Primary School Academic Director (Principal) Pool (26-27)

Uplift’s mission is to create and sustain public schools of excellence that empower each student to reach their highest potential in college and the global marketplace and that inspire students a life‑long love of learning, achievement, and service in order to positively change their world.

The Primary School Academic Director is the leader of the school, working with the Operations Director to manage all aspects of the school’s operation. The Director sets the instructional and academic vision aligned with Uplift’s IB vision for excellence, establishes a supportive learning environment, and guides the leadership team to develop talent that achieves strong academic and cultural outcomes. The Director partners effectively with campus leaders and network leaders to realise Uplift’s mission for the communities served.

• Develop and execute on a strategic vision that aligns with network priorities.
• Establish and maintain a shared vision of success for staff and students.
• Outline clear goals and create target‑aligned strategies to improve outcomes through staff effectiveness.
• Maintain a culture of continuous improvement.
• Serve as a visible campus leader in the community with families, partners, and board members.

• Implement systems and protocols to assess instruction regularly and effectively.
• Coach and develop Deans, teacher leaders, and portfolio teachers.
• Observe staff regularly and provide targeted feedback.
• Monitor team progress through debriefs and data review checkpoints.
• Create, deliver, and manage professional development aligned to campus priorities.
• Facilitate data meetings and action planning with leadership and teams.
• Analyze and synthesize school, teacher, and student data to plan course corrections.

• Establish norms for people managers around management and development.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, and retain high‑quality staff.
• Define performance expectations and goals across all job areas.
• Provide day‑to‑day feedback and coaching.
• Guide professional development planning for direct reports.
• Observe, record, and evaluate employee performance continuously.
• Supervise discipline situations and make termination or suspension decisions.

• Publish and apply the student handbook and Code of Conduct per Uplift guidelines.
• Ensure consistent rule implementation and equitable discipline using restorative practices.
• Support the Dean in meeting preparations with parents, scholars, and teachers.
• Conduct high priority meetings for repeated violations and recommend expulsion when appropriate.
• Create systems for scholar services and management (e.g., support services, discipline).
• Encourage and foster strong family relationships and community involvement.

• Model highest professional conduct and ethical decision making.
• Engage in learning opportunities for holistic leadership development.
• Attend network leadership meetings, academies, and conferences.
• Implement learned practices, monitor effectiveness, and share findings with leaders.

• Manage resources (people, financial) to support school and organizational goals.
• Utilise funds in compliance with all guidelines to achieve school objectives.
• Establish systems for scholar and teacher management and retention.
• Coordinate daily activities with leadership and staff.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Master’s degree desirable but not required.
• Valid teaching certification and/or principal certificate in Texas preferred.

• Minimum five years in education, including at least two years of primary‑school instruction.
• Minimum three years as a Dean or Assistant Principal.
• Teaching or leadership experience at an IB World School preferred.
• Experience leading a school through IB authorization/evaluation preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual in…