Join to apply for the Executive Director role at Rooted School

A variety of soft skills and experience may be required for the following role Please ensure you check the overview below carefully. 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the Executive Director role at Rooted School This range is provided by Rooted School. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Base pay range $120,000.00/yr - $140,000.00/yr Position: Founding Executive Director Location: Columbia, South Carolina 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 industries—they 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. What Network Membership Means: You're implementing the Rooted School model as part of a growing network with shared standards, resources, and accountability—not 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: C ollaborate 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 Requirements What You Bring While no one person will embody every trait, we're looking for a leader who brings many of the following: Mission-Critical Experience and Qualifications Deep commitment to Rooted's mission of economic mobility and unwavering belief in young people's power to shape their own futures 10+ years of professional experience in fields serving children and families (excluding volunteer time and unpaid internships) Significant management responsibility: current or recent experience as school leaders, program managers, deputies, department heads, directors, or executives Startup environment expertise: comfort navigating ambiguity, frequently changing scenarios, and building systems from scratch We Especially Welcome Leaders Who: Have lived experience navigating educational or economic barriers and bring that perspective to creating opportunity Come from non-traditional leadership pathways including community organizing, workforce development, or social innovation Reflect the diversity of Columbia's communities and bring deep understanding of local assets, challenges, and opportunities Have experience in sustainability, workforce development, or innovative educational models Bring bilingual/multicultural competencies and understanding of first-generation college or career experiences Preferred Qualifications Experience with career and technical education, workforce development, or industry partnerships Knowledge of South Carolina's educational landscape and economic development priorities Grant writing and community-based fundraising experience Understanding of charter school authorization and compliance processes Experience with project-based learning, mastery-based assessment, or innovative pedagogical approaches Seniority level Seniority levelExecutive Employment type Employment typeFull-time Job function Job functionEducation IndustriesEducation Administration Programs Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Rooted School by 2x Sign in to set job alerts for “Chief Executive Officer” roles.Vice President of Underwriting AdministrationChief Development Officer & Executive Director, SCSM FoundationNurse Practitioner - Medical Director - YC Columbia, SC $242,000.00-$274,000.00 2 days ago Columbia, SC $161,300.00-$229,800.00 1 day ago Director Commercial, Markets and Structuring West Columbia, SC $176,000.00-$204,000.00 1 week ago Senior Associate Director of Athletics (52757) Columbia, SC $90,800.00-$154,400.00 1 week ago Vice President, Procurement and Supply Chain Columbia, SC $242,000.00-$274,000.00 1 week ago Director, Premier Client Acquisition and SupportDirector, Premier Client Acquisition and Support Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Area $1.00-$2.00 3 days ago Private Wealth, Western Canada – Senior Market Leader, Vice President Columbia, SC $100,000.00-$150,000.00 1 week ago Director, Agency Education and Development Columbia, SC $150,000.00-$200,000.00 2 weeks ago Assistant Vice President - CommissioningAssistant Vice President - CommissioningLead Director of Case Management - Behavioral HealthVice President of Finance and AccountingAssistant Vice President for Communication & Marketing (50117) Columbia, SC $150,160.00-$225,700.00 5 days ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. 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