Deputy executive director - and operations

Job Title

Position Title: Deputy Executive Director, Selective Admissions and Enrollment Operations

Location: Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

Salary: $111,190 - $159,276

Reports to: Assistant Superintendent, Strategy, Data, and Accountability

Bargaining Unit: N/A

Benefits Eligible: Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility: Eligible for telecommuting up to 20% (one day per week)

Position Summary:

The Deputy Executive Director of Selective Admissions and Enrollment Operations is a strategic leader responsible for overseeing the District's comprehensive enrollment ecosystem, including selective admissions processes for criteria-based schools and programs, as well as general enrollment operations across all DPSCD schools. This critical role ensures equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities while streamlining the enrollment experience for families throughout the District.

As a key member of the Enrollment leadership team, the Deputy Executive Director provides visionary leadership and operational oversight to:

• Design and implement fair, transparent selective admissions processes including waitlist management, priority systems, and ranked choice admissions, with a strategic focus on transitioning to deferred acceptance methodologies

• Serve as the central hub for district-wide enrollment operations, ensuring consistent practices and reducing enrollment congestion across schools

• Coordinate specialized program enrollment including Great Start Readiness Program, McKinney-Vento, Exceptional Student Education, and other targeted programs

• Implement integrated enrollment and application systems that create a single, streamlined experience for families navigating school options

• Analyze enrollment data to identify improvement opportunities and support data-driven strategic investments

The Deputy Executive Director manages multiple teams and works collaboratively with the Family and Community Engagement Office and Communications & Marketing to ensure enrollment is a shared, coordinated function that supports the District's strategic priorities and student success.

We are looking for talented people who are passionate about transforming the District and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees. This position requires:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess and provide evidence of a Bachelor's, with preferred focus in education, public administration, public policy, or related field. Master's degree preferred.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in K-12 education administration, enrollment management, or related field

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience managing multiple teams or equivalent experience successfully leading cross-departmental projects and initiatives

• Demonstrated experience with student enrollment systems, admissions processes, or school choice programs

• Strong analytical skills with proven ability to use data to drive decision-making and process improvements

• Experience implementing or managing complex operational systems serving diverse stakeholder groups

• Excellent communication skills with ability to engage effectively with families, school leaders, and district leadership and teams

• Strong project management skills with experience leading cross-functional initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with selective admissions processes, lottery systems, or school choice frameworks

• Knowledge of stable matching algorithms and their application in school admissions

• Experience working in an urban school district setting

• Familiarity with Michigan education policies and enrollment regulations

• Experience with integrated technology systems for enrollment and application management

• Understanding of equity considerations in enrollment and admissions practices

Essential Functions:

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, Data, and Accountability, the Deputy Executive Director of Selective Admissions and Enrollment Operations will:

• Provide strategic leadership for the Selective Admissions and Enrollment Operations division, developing and implementing a coherent strategy that ensures fair access to educational opportunities while maintaining operational excellence across all enrollment functions.

• Design and oversee the District's selective admissions processes for all criteria-based schools and programs, including developing fair and transparent application procedures, examination processes, waitlist management protocols, and priority systems that align with District values and legal requirements.

• Improve on current admissions methodologies, including researching best practices, building stakeholder buy-in, designing implementation plans, and ensuring successful implementation.

• Serve as the central authority for district-wide enrollment operations, establishing consistent practices, policies, and procedures that reduce enrollment congestion, improve family experience, and ensure schools have the support needed to meet enrollment targets.

• Coordinate specialized program enrollment (GSRP, McKinney-Vento, ESE) while ensuring regulatory compliance.

• Partner with Family and Community Engagement and Communications & Marketing teams to develop integrated enrollment strategies that leverage community outreach, marketing support, and data insights to achieve enrollment goals.

• Implement and improve integrated enrollment systems that create seamless family experiences while generating actionable data for strategic planning

• Establish practices and standards for analyzing enrollment data, trends, and patterns to identify improvement opportunities, inform strategic investments, and provide regular reports to senior leadership on enrollment performance, challenges, and recommendations.

• Build and lead high-performing teams through effective management, coaching, and development of managers and direct reports.

• Develop and manage division budgets while maximizing resources for students.

• Collaborate with district leaders on shared initiatives, proactively identifying and proposing solutions to emerging enrollment challenges, adjusting approaches as priorities shift.

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations regarding enrollment, admissions, and student data privacy.

• Build school capacity through training programs, technical assistance, and user-friendly resource development.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent of Strategy, Data, and Accountability

Security Clearance:

Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application:

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

DPSCD does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.