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Executive Director of Professional Learning

Director Department of Education

Recruitment #25-005054-0001

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Introduction

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.

***This position is a Promotional Opportunity open to MSDE Employees Only!***

GRADE

State Salary Grade 25
Salary Range: $109,247 - $176,552
*State Salary Guidelines apply for current State employees.

 

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

LOCATION OF POSITION

Nancy S. Grasmick Education Building
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Executive Director of Professional Learning provides visionary leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating high-quality professional learning experiences for prekindergarten through grade 12 programs. This role ensures that professional learning — whether in-person or virtual — is evidence-based, aligned with professional learning standards, and tailored to enhance educator effectiveness and student outcomes. The position oversees statewide initiatives, including continuous development of teachers and school leaders through relevant, job-embedded professional learning, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance.

The Executive Director leads the design of a framework for educator growth, ensures continuous improvement through implementation evaluation, and builds organizational structures to support professional learning. This role develops efficient systems for communicating professional learning opportunities and works closely with the Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Instructional Programs and Services to align strategies with MSDE’s overarching goals and initiatives.

The Executive Director collaborates with LEAs, early learning providers, and key stakeholders—such as higher education institutions, nonprofits, and community-based programs—to develop and implement professional development that prepares Maryland educators to better support historically underserved students. Additionally, this position works with MSDE content teams to analyze evaluation data from professional learning efforts, using insights to refine opportunities. The role contributes to advancing MSDE’s multiyear Strategic Plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

The Executive Director oversees compliance monitoring, technical assistance, and evaluation of programs for the federal Title IIA grant which includes LEA sub-grants. This includes ensuring grant recipients comply with federal requirements and utilize evidence-based strategies, evaluating budgets and spend-down rates, and conducting risk assessments. This position also provides technical assistance to LEAs, develops processes for maintaining historical documentation, and compiles data for required reports.

POSITION DUTIES

Directs, leads and supports the design, implementation, and evaluation of high-quality professional learning experiences aligned to State and National Standards and evidence-based practices.

  • Facilitates the development for deploying and maintaining a multi-year plan for professional learning that is informed by data, input from stakeholders, and aligned with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and multiyear Strategic Plan. 
  • Provides strategic leadership in working collaboratively with offices, departments, and branches to plan, coordinate, evaluate, and align professional learning.
  • Facilitates the process for formatting, revising, editing, and preparing professional learning documents for publication.
  • Leads the process for monitoring and updating professional learning resources on the MSDE website and ensures the use of social media and press releases to celebrate and promote professional learning opportunities in close collaboration with MSDE’s Office of Communications and Community Engagement.  
  • Leads focus groups, committees, and work groups related to developing state-wide professional learning initiatives.
  • Oversees deployment of differentiated professional learning opportunities rooted in evidence-based practices for improving educator effectiveness and accelerating student achievement.
  • Facilitates opportunities to collaborate with MSDE’s Office of Educator Effectiveness to provide feedback on teacher preparation programs and develop high-quality mentor and new teacher professional learning and supports grounded in national research.
  • Leads and supports compliance monitoring, technical assistance, and evaluation of programs for the Title IIA federal grant and ensures compliance monitoring for LEA federal sub-grants, to include interim reports, annual reports, and on-site monitoring visits.
  • Organizes monitoring for the strategies, initiatives, and interventions of grant programs regarding the use of evidence-based strategies.
  • Evaluates LEA sub-grants for adherence to federal guidance, use of evidence-based strategies, and outcomes. 
  • Monitors and evaluates the LEA sub-grant budgets for spend-down rates and provides risk assessments. 
  • Provides technical assistance to LEAs in developing and implementing their programs for the federal grants, as appropriate.  Develops statewide and differentiated professional development rooted in evidence-based practices (i.e., HQIM, content knowledge development; etc.), especially for accelerating student achievement for historically undeserved students and communities

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related area from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years or more years of experience in managing and leading educator professional development, professional learning or related programs for school leaders and teachers in prekindergarten through 12 settings. One year of this experience must include supervising and/or coaching professional education staff.

Notes:
  1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in Education, Education Administration, professional development or a related area for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Please include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.
  • Knowledge of prekindergarten through 12th grade professional development programs for prekindergarten-12 educators and school leaders.
  • Knowledge of grant programs and initiatives related to professional development.
  • Knowledge of best-in-class professional development experiences aligned to State and National Standards and evidence-based practices.
  • Knowledge and experience with leading collaborative groups, such as professional learning communities, data-dialogue, lesson study, peer coaching/mentoring, and peer observation.
  • Knowledge of national standards, trends, regulations, policies, and issues affecting educator professional development.
  • Knowledge of federal Title IIA grants and professional learning standards that support the adoption implementation, and educator usage of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).
  • Skill establishing a design framework for educator professional development, assessing implementation for continuous improvement, developing organizational structures needed to support high-quality professional learning, and building an efficient infrastructure for publishing and communicating professional learning opportunities.
  • Skill collaborating with diverse communities and organizations for the purpose of implementing programs and strategies.
  • Skill in developing and delivering research-based and best-in-class professional development programs. 
  • Skill in implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and providing high-quality and service-level-based support and technical assistance for education programs.
  • Skill collaborating with diverse communities and organizations for the purpose of implementing programs and strategies.
  • Skill in developing and delivering research-based and best-in-class professional development programs. 
  • Ability to align and create professional development related to the implementation of prekindergarten through 12 high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).
  • Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Ability to interpret and apply learning standards, policies, and regulations.
  • Ability to work as a team member and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified. The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one year.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must complete the MD State Government online application for employment and submit their professional resume. The application and resume must clearly demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the position. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.

If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application. Postmarks will not be accepted.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. 

All application materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.



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