Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing charter public schools that are closing the academic achievement gap and preparing students from historically underserved communities for success in college and beyond. Uncommon currently manages 55 schools serving more than 20,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at rates far higher than their peers. We believe that every child deserves an outstanding education, and we are committed to working beyond the walls of our schools to achieve that goal through our professional development workshops, books, and district partnerships. 

Position Overview

The Senior Manager of Science, 5-8 is responsible for leading middle school Science. An essential member of the K-8 Curriculum and Assessment Team, they will drive high quality middle school Science curriculum and assessment, provide network-wide professional development, support school-based middle school Science Deans of Curriculum and Instruction (DCI) and DCI Fellows, instructional leaders and teachers, and lead data analysis and response to ensure all middle schools are driving towards key Science outcomes.

Curriculum Planning

• Lead and manage 5th-8th Science curriculum:
  • Finalize and manage the 5th-8th Science curriculum scope and sequence and pacing calendars, aligning to the standards
  • Delegate work to and manage all planners in the creation of unit plans, daily lesson plans, assessments, and instructional coaching resources
  • Meet regularly with planners to guide creation of quality plans and coaching resources including consistent feedback to the quality of plans and coaching resources
• Periodically observe lesson plan execution to collect feedback and inform improvements to the curriculum.
• Actively drive the process of ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in the curriculum
• Research latest curriculum and assessments and build relationships with other CMOs/school districts to integrate impactful practices into Uncommon’s curriculum and assessments.
• Manage relationships with external curriculum vendors

Project and Workstream Management

• Partner with and advise Director of Curriculum and Assessment, K-8 on curriculum and assessment initiatives and key workstreams including prioritization of needs
• Tee up key information and recommendations for critical decisions for K-8 CAT’s Director of Curriculum and Assessment including supporting data and rationale.
• Create and manage cross-regional/network level projects related to curriculum and assessment that include stakeholder management (ASups, Principals, DCIs, external vendors, Operations, etc.), communication, change management, and creation of new content/assessments.
• Manage stakeholders on projects, ensuring timely and qualitative communication, facilitating meetings as needed
• Communicate important curriculum, instruction, and assessment dates, deadlines, and revisions to the Senior Associate Directors of Operations and/or relevant stakeholders

Strategic Planning

• Drive implementation of Chief Schools Officer’s (CSO’s) strategic plan related to middle school Science curriculum and assessment
• Manage middle school Science annual strategic planning including opportunities for highest impact student achievement growth and adjustments for growth/scale including action steps, owners, and timelines not driven by the CSO’s strategic plan

Data Driven Instruction

• Lead the creation of 5th-8th Science assessments and supporting resources
• Drive 5th-8th Science assessment cycles at the network level including communicating instructional goals and providing support on content (i.e. scoring/norming)
• Analyze data for 5th-8th Science assessments
• Create network-level action plans to address 5th-8th Science data:
  • Adapt network instruction to address IA data
  • Guide effective reteach lessons for key concepts
  • Design new approaches to instruction as needed

Observation and Feedback

• Support development of DCIs and DCI Fellows through observation and feedback of key instructional and leadership levers
• Conduct middle school Science content walkthroughs and action plan with Assistant Superintendent and/or principal
• Participate in school inspections.
• Manage and implement school support plans for highest need schools
• Support new leaders in developing middle school Science content and assessment expertise
• Support the annual hiring and evaluation process for DCIs and DCI Fellows

Professional Development

• Write and deliver high-quality, highest lever Science professional development that addresses network observational and data needs
• Lead and/or participate in working groups, both internally and externally

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to the Director of Curriculum and Assessment, K-8
• Provide in-school and in-region support to build relationships with school/regional leaders and assess the effectiveness of CAT initiatives on-the-ground
• Proactively builds impactful relationships with CAT, ASups, Principals, DCIs, and Lead Lesson Planners to maximize the ability of Uncommon Schools to support students’ academic success
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

• Outstanding ability to lead, including influencing and motivating others
• Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed
• Exceptional and creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning skills with the ability to think beyond one’s own place in the organization
• Strong time and task management skills, enabling multiple projects to be completed on time
• Excellent team player: always puts the team’s goals first and works to support and motivate peers
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to speak and write clearly and to differentiate messaging to a variety of stakeholders
• Ability to move comfortably between high level strategic thinking and intricate details
• Excellent ability to drive change and build buy-in through relationship building
• This role may require travel up to 25% time and requires travel to all Uncommon regions

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred (but not necessary)
• 3-5 years of instructional experience including teaching, coaching, creating and leading professional development, creation of curriculum and assessment with exceptional content expertise and proven track record of student achievement as both a teacher and a leader.

Uncommon Schools offers salaries commensurate with experience and a very generous benefits and vacation package. All staff members receive extensive professional development, and are equipped with a laptop computer and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.