Senior Advisor on Special Projects

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is working to develop a multiyear strategic plan in alignment with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, which is a landmark piece of legislation that includes comprehensive changes to Maryland’s entire Pre-K through 12 education system. Maryland’s State Superintendent of Schools is executing on a comprehensive set of strategies that designed to realize the Blueprint’s vision.

The Senior Advisor on Special Projects will support the planning and performance management of key strategies aligned to MSDE’s multiyear strategic plan and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. This includes developing roadmap for execution, establishing planning and performance management tools, routines, and infrastructure, and supporting routine review and strategy calibration with MSDE’s executive team leading for key strategies identified in the essential functions.

The Senior Advisor on Special Projects will focus on 3 key strategies: 

College and Career Ready (CCR) Curriculum Review Strategy

· Facilitate the development of the delivery chain and implementation roadmap for CCR Curriculum Review with the project owners and key stakeholders

· Support project owners is establishing processes to review High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) by convening content review teams that represent the state of Maryland and deeply understand Maryland College and Career Ready Standards (MCCRS).

· Establish planning and performance management infrastructure for the program and support the implementation of quality project management practices and structures, including goal setting, project plan, key milestones, data collection and monitoring

· Establish routinized review cycles with program and department leadership to include status updates, surface capacity concerns and facilitate policy decisions to ensure overall project stays on track to meet project goals

· Support project owners in planning and navigation of interagency processes, systems and requirements to enable successful development of instructional materials portal.

Implementation of the organizational structure of the Office of Teaching and Learning

· Partner with the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and learning to support the implementation of new organizational structures in the Office of Teaching and Learning

· Establish short cycle routines for implementation review and facilitate sightlines for key leadership team members and stakeholders

· Develop plans to facilitate change that are rooted in in evidence-based change strategies and support all staff to align on organizational mission and strategic direction

· Establish systems and processes to help teams collaborate within and across offices and divisions

· Support the development of reciprocal capacity-building and alignment in other offices across MSDE to support the work of the Office of Teaching and Learning

Advisory and capacity-building support for MSDE’s continuous improvement systems

· Provide advisory support to the State Superintendent of Schools on capacity-building strategies for the department on organizational approach to continuous improvement

· Propose, design, and support the implementation of internal trainings, systems, and structures that strengthen MSDE’s organizational foundations to implement its strategic priorities

· Advise on the development of continuous improvement routines and structures that are instituted to progress monitor the Department's key priorities and enablers.

· 10+ years of experience in K-12 education administration

· Strong background in planning and performance management systems

· Experience with strategic planning and executing complex public education programs at scale

· Share the belief that all Maryland students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military.

· Ability to think strategically and support planning and executing on large and complex initiative

· Ability to lead through influence and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups.

· Ability to provide skill development, support and feedback, and capacity building on performance management templates, processes, and best practices with knowledge around adult learning techniques. 

· Skill in managing and prioritizing multiple projects with varied timelines.

· Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to create and deliver compelling presentations to diverse groups of stakeholders.

· Demonstrated commitment to ambitious goals for student performance and equity.

· Ability to apply and receive constructive feedback.

· Ability to support program teams in a consulting capacity and help drive initiatives to achieve results

· Knowledge of change management practices.

· Strong facilitation skills

· Ability to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues

· Analytical skills and problem-solving ability with meticulous attention to detail

· Highly organized; ability to balance the demands of multiple projects at different stages of development while maintaining quality and consistency across all work

· Ability to break down complex information into component parts, ask questions, synthesize, and analyze

· Exercise strong judgement in making decisions

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback, and continuously improve