Executive Director of Special Programs

Location: Hattie Mae White

Department: Special Programs

Area:District Wide

Contract Months:12

Salary Range: $170,000.00 – $195,000.00

Academic Year: 26-27

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director for Special Education Curriculum & Instruction is a transformational leader within the Office of Special Education Services, driving HISD’s mission to ensure equitable access to high-quality instruction and services for all students. This role plays a critical part in HISD’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation, ensuring students with disabilities receive the specialized support needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

As part of HISD’s high-performance culture, this position requires a visionary leader with deep expertise in special education regulations, best practices, specially designed instruction, and dyslexia services. The Executive Director fosters collaborative partnerships across stakeholder groups to ensure every student receives the support necessary to thrive in the Year 2035 workplace.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Lead with Impact: Provide sustained leadership, guidance, and support to an assigned Division, ensuring alignment with HISD’s vision for educational transformation. Act as a liaison between the division and the Office of Special Education Services to drive excellence in programming and compliance.

2. Develop & Empower Talent: Lead, mentor, and supervise assigned staff, fostering a high-performance culture built on continuous improvement, accountability, and results-driven leadership.

3. Data-Driven Excellence: Provide regular updates to the Deputy Chief for Special Education on compliance, progress, and areas of concern. Use real-time feedback and performance data to drive strategic decisions and continuous program improvement.

4. Innovate & Elevate: Monitor and assess the effectiveness of special education programming, making data-driven recommendations to enhance student outcomes and instructional practices.

5. Strengthen Workforce Readiness: Identify and address staffing needs within the Division, collaborating with district leadership to recruit, hire, and develop high-quality special education professionals.

6. Advance Curriculum Development: Oversee the design, adaptation, and evaluation of special education curriculum, including dyslexia services, ensuring alignment with best instructional practices and future-ready learning goals.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

7. Invest in Professional Growth: Plan and oversee dynamic, high-impact professional development for special education teachers, teacher assistants, and administrators, reinforcing HISD’s commitment to excellence in instruction.

8. Fiscal Stewardship & Strategic Planning: Develop and manage budgets related to special education curriculum & instruction, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to maximize student impact.

9. Commit to Continuous Improvement: Implement a results-oriented, continuous improvement process that enhances compliance, strengthens instructional effectiveness, and supports student success at scale.

10. Champion HISD’s Vision: Serve as a key advocate and leader in HISD’s transformational work, ensuring that special education programming reflects the district’s bold commitment to narrowing achievement gaps and preparing students for the future.

11. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Master's degree or higher in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or relevant field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

5+ years of successful experience as a leader, preferably within special education.

Special Education Teaching experience preferred.

Proven effectiveness as a campus and/or district leader with a strong record of results.

SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION

Valid Texas mid-management or Principal certificate.

Valid Texas Special Education EC-12 certificate and/or certification in relevant field.

Proficiency in interpreting and applying federal, state, and local laws, guidelines, and procedures pertaining to special education.

Expertise in functioning within collaborative team settings.

Effective communication skills and adeptness in decision-making, particularly in challenging situations, with the capacity to engage and influence stakeholders across all levels.

Track record of successfully leading and managing diverse teams, promoting collaboration,

cultivating high-performance organizational cultures and instigating positive transformations.

Strategic thinking abilities, adeptness in critical analysis of complex issues, and capacity to make well-informed decisions.

Dedication to the district’s mission and a firm commitment to fostering positive impacts within the community.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic oversight for department and/or a major division or for the entire district. Regularly provides project management, team leadership, and supervises staff. Using in-depth knowledge of multiple disciplines, identifies and evaluates high-impact issues, and provides strategy and direction to department.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT

Work is non-standardized and widely varied, involving many complex and significant variables including significant time spent planning, evaluating complex solutions and issues, and negotiating outcomes. Strong analytic ability and inductive thinking are frequently required to devise new approaches to situations where previously accepted solutions have proven inadequate. The position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the division. Supervision received typically consists of providing periodic coaching, advice and feedback.

BUDGET AUTHORITY

Participates in a group plan and/or budget development.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Decisions are made with greater freedom and discretion, including recommendations that are subject to approval on matters that may affect multiple departments across HISD. Job is frequently expected to recommend new solutions to problems, to improve existing methods/procedures/services and generate new ideas. May also review decisions made by other individuals on more routine matters.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS

Decisions have considerable impact to multiple divisions or the organization district causing risks or improvements to relationships, significant efficiencies, or delays in operations, and/or significant financial gains or expenses. Errors are serious and difficult to discover, normally involve decisions not subject to detailed review and will result in excessive costs and/or significant project delays.

COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS

Negotiate and influence - interprets department strategies and services, resolves conflicts, influences outcomes on matters of significance for the division, conducts final negotiations and coordinates approvals/decision making below the executive level. Interactions are typically with customers and Top Management.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Leads others in resolving highly sensitive and confidential issues on the department's behalf. Acts as a trusted advisor and becomes involved in the customer's decision-making process including presenting alternatives and information and applying persuasion and negotiation skills in the resolution of problems. Monitors customer service standards.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any hazardous or unpleasant elements.

Ability to carry and/or lift less than 45 pounds.

Houston Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer.