Founding Executive Director

Position: Founding Executive Director

Location: Columbia, South Carolina

Compensation: $120,000$140,000 + comprehensive benefits

Our Mission in Action

Rooted School Columbia is pioneering a groundbreaking educational model that proves students don't have to choose between academic excellence and real-world career readiness. We're creating innovative pathways where students graduate with both college acceptance letters and job offers, equipped with the credentials, connections, and confidence to build economic mobility while contributing to a sustainable future.

We're building something revolutionary: a school where rigorous academics meets hands-on career preparation, where students don't just learn about emerging industriesthey actively participate in South Carolina's growing economy while preparing for prestigious higher education opportunities. Our students graduate ready to lead in both college classrooms and professional workplaces, positioned to build generational wealth while staying rooted in community.

The Leadership Opportunity

As Founding Executive Director, you'll serve as both the community steward of Rooted's mission and the chief architect of how our nationally-recognized model takes root in Columbia's unique educational, cultural, and economic landscape. This is a rare opportunity to build something transformational from the ground up: an instrumental agent of change in supporting the Rooted School Network's early development in South Carolina.

Working directly with our Board Chair, Board of Directors, RSF CEO, and national team, you'll spend your planning year (August 2025 - May 2026) learning "The Rooted Way" while building the relationships, systems, and community trust essential for our August 2026 launch. You'll help us determine how we fulfill the Rooted Promise in Columbia's context, ensuring our model serves and reflects the diverse communities we're honored to serve.

Your Founding Year Priorities (August 2025 - May 2026):

• Work in collaboration with RSF and authorizer to develop and meet clear strategic priorities and compliance requirements
• Recruit a values and mission-aligned team of staff, teachers, families, and students for our founding community
• Engage local businesses, employers, and leaders in the successful launch of Rooted School Columbia

What You'll Lead: Four Essential Domains

1. Manage Rooted School Columbia Pre-Opening Requirements Through Completion

The Work: Lead planning and execution of our pre-opening phase, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are met on time. Secure facilities aligned with operational and instructional needs. Drive student recruitment to meet target enrollment through community engagement and effective enrollment strategies. Navigate state and local regulatory requirements, including authorizer authorization processes. Deliver on our partnership with RSF by fulfilling services agreements and utilizing technical assistance from RSF leadership.

Your Success Profile: You bring operational readiness and compliance expertise paired with the ability to build teams and cultivate community trust. You understand that successful school launch requires both regulatory precision and deep community partnership.

2. Bring Strategic Initiatives from Idea to Execution

The Work: Collaborate with RSF CEO to define and align Columbia's vision and strategic milestones with RSF's overarching plan, setting quarterly, annual, and 5-year goals. Lead communication efforts with key stakeholders including school teams, boards, and community partners. Coordinate across internal teams, contractors, and RSF leadership to meet strategic milestones. Develop cohesive data and organizational systems to track performance metrics and drive strategic decision-making.

Your Success Profile: You excel at strategic execution while serving as a Rooted model steward: adapting national playbooks for local context without losing the essence of what makes our approach transformational.

3. Champion Rooted School's Academic Model

The Work: Lead design and implementation of curriculum and instructional frameworks that prepare students for both college and career success. Ensure alignment with South Carolina graduation requirements while incorporating best practices for high-quality instruction. Partner with RSF to evaluate and implement Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) that provide meaningful career pathways aligned with local workforce needs. Develop school calendar, daily schedules, and assessment plans. Foster collaboration with other Rooted campuses to continuously improve instructional practices.

Your Success Profile: You understand model fidelity and program design while being a talent development leader who coaches toward instructional excellence and student success outcomes.

4. Lead Fund Development and Ecosystem Engagement

The Work: Collaborate with RSF and fund development contractors to prepare compelling funding proposals and reports. Provide accurate, timely data to support fundraising efforts grounded in measurable outcomes. Proactively identify funding opportunities, build relationships with potential donors and partners, and advocate for resources addressing current and future school needs. Stay informed about emerging trends in education and philanthropy.

Your Success Profile: You're a strategic storyteller and advocate who can inspire support while being a philanthropy-aligned operator balancing opportunity with stewardship.

Network Integration & Expectations

What Network Membership Means:

You're implementing the Rooted School model as part of a growing network with shared standards, resources, and accountabilitynot launching an independent school.

Network Support & Resources:

• Model Assets: Curriculum, assessment tools, operational playbooks, and compliance guidance
• Leadership Development: Executive coaching, peer learning with other EDs, professional development programs
• Technical Assistance: Pre-opening support, specialized expertise (legal, financial, academic)

Network Contributions Expected:

• Monthly: Network ED calls and operational data reporting
• Quarterly: Network convenings and strategic planning participation
• Ongoing: Implement network-wide initiatives within 30 days, document best practices for network benefit
• Annual: Conference participation and thought leadership representing RSF

Shared Commitments:

• Model Consistency: Collaborate on implementing core academic framework, DDO culture, and assessment systems
• Collaborative Leadership: Balance local community needs with network learning and shared resources

Professional Growth:

• Green Balloon Fellowship: Complete leadership training modules and implement local employer partnerships
• Network Leadership: Opportunities for mentoring future EDs and potential regional roles
• National Platform: Represent RSF at conferences and contribute to policy discussions

Bottom Line: Your success strengthens the entire network, and network resources amplify your local impact. You'll have significant autonomy while contributing to a proven model that's scaling nationally.