Rocky Mountain Prep, Chief Executive Officer

ORGANIZATION

Rocky Mountain Prep (RMP) is a vibrant, values-driven public charter school network serving more than 5,000 students from early childhood through 12th grade across 12 schools in the Denver metro area. Formed through the 2023 merger of two beloved local networks—RMP and STRIVE Prep—RMP is one of Denver’s only unified ECE–12 public charter systems and one of the most dynamic school communities in the region.

Our mission is to empower every student to reach their full potential through a rigorous, loving, and transformative academic experience. We believe in joy and challenge in equal measure, and we are unapologetically college-preparatory—preparing all scholars not only to succeed in college, but to thrive as compassionate, courageous changemakers in their communities and beyond.

At RMP, our PEAK values—Perseverance, Excellence, Adventure, and Kindness—guide everything we do. We embrace high expectations with deep care, academic excellence with equity, and innovation with discipline. With an annual budget of nearly $100 million and a team of more than 600 exceptional educators and staff, RMP is redefining what’s possible for public education in Denver.

To learn more, visit www.rockymountainprep.org.

OPPORTUNITY

Rocky Mountain Prep stands at an extraordinary moment in its journey. With a unified ECE–12 model, deep community roots, and an unapologetic commitment to college-preparatory excellence, RMP is poised to lead Denver into a new era of educational opportunity and impact. The next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will harness this momentum—aligning vision, people, and systems to ensure every scholar experiences the life-changing power of an RMP education. This leader will bring clarity out of complexity, unify diverse teams under shared goals, and continue to infuse the organization with focus, optimism, and purpose.

With the goal of creating pioneering, exemplary, adventurous, and kind learners and leaders, the next CEO will possess an unshakable belief that all students can achieve at high levels. They will unabashedly champion academic quality across all campuses, ensuring instruction is rigorous, joyful, and excellent, and will partner closely with a strong executive team to drive sustained improvement. This leader will operate at the right strategic altitude—providing instructional credibility while empowering and developing an exceptional senior leadership team that reflects the size and ambition of a unified ECE–12 network.

The CEO will strengthen internal organizational health, deepen trust among staff and families, and bring cohesion and clarity to a network still completing its merger—unifying RMP into one thriving, mission-driven community. In the pursuit of becoming a more anti-racist organization, the ideal candidate will lead with deep cultural competence and humility, foster an inclusive, equitable, and affirming environment that honors the diversity of students, staff and families. They will model resilience and continuous learning, embrace feedback, and lead with humility, conviction, and a strong moral compass. Guided by RMP’s mission and PEAK values, they will ensure that equity, belonging, and excellence are never mutually exclusive.

At the same time, the CEO will navigate a complex and evolving public education landscape in Denver and Colorado. This leader will bring political acumen, maturity, and gravitas—building collaborative relationships with Denver Public Schools, authorizers, civic partners, and community organizations; stewarding RMP’s influence within the statewide charter ecosystem; and representing the network with credibility in an environment facing declining enrollment and increasing scrutiny of charter schools. With disciplined leadership, strategic clarity, and deep belief in what is possible for students, the next CEO will inspire and propel the RMP community toward extraordinary outcomes for every scholar.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As the leader of Rocky Mountain Prep, the CEO is responsible for ensuring high-quality education for the communities we serve and for the strategic growth and operational sustainability of the organization. In order to do so, the CEO's key responsibilities include:

Vision & Strategic Direction

• Lead and champion the development of a bold, inspiring long-term vision and strategy that positions the network for exceptional student outcomes and continued innovation.
• Serve as the chief architect of instructional excellence—cultivating rigorous, coherent, and research-aligned practices across all schools and amplifying strengths in literacy, academics, and whole-child learning.
• Set clear, ambitious goals across academics, growth, operations, finances, people, and culture—creating the conditions for sustained excellence and expansion of impact.
• Ensure strong systemwide alignment—connecting vision to disciplined planning, stable priorities, and clear systems that elevate family confidence and strengthen RMP’s position in Denver’s school choice landscape.
• Act as a unifier and culture builder, fostering clarity, trust, shared purpose, and a future-oriented mindset that embraces opportunity and navigates challenges with optimism and strategic foresight.
• Demonstrate an unwavering conviction that the organization can and will meet audacious goals, relentlessly persevere through challenges, and balance a resolute confidence to lead with deep personal humility and empathy.

Talent, Culture & Staff Sustainability

• Continue to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, high-performing executive and instructional leadership team that drives exceptional outcomes.
• Identify, recruit, and empower extraordinary academic leaders to ensure the network has the talent and expertise to excel.
• Lead executives, network teams, and school staff toward ambitious academic, operational, and financial success through aligned support and accountability.
• Champion staff well-being and sustainability—promoting balance, recognition, and long-term career growth.
• Foster a culture of belonging, continuous feedback, and professional learning that builds leadership capacity at every level.
• Invest in systems and structures that elevate joy, purpose, and creativity in teaching and learning while maintaining high expectations.

Driving Performance & Operational Excellence

• Execute organizational strategy by deploying the right mix of people, systems, tools, and culture to achieve excellent and equitable results.
• Encourage creative and data-driven approaches to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Develop disciplined change management practices to ensure predictable and transparent implementation across campuses.
• Advance the organization's financial plan for long-term sustainability.
• Address uneven school performance by setting clear expectations, building capacity for school turnaround, and ensuring targeted support for historically underperforming campuses.
• Monitor enrollment trends and implement strategies that strengthen school demand and competitiveness in a declining enrollment environment.

Equity, Community, & Visibility

• Translate equity from principle to practice through measurable action, accountability, and results.
• Be a visible, accessible, and trusted presence in schools and communities, engaging directly with students, staff, and families.
• Strengthen authentic partnerships with families, community organizations, civic and government leaders, and education advocates to elevate community voice and advance RMP’s mission and legacy in Denver.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools leadership and staff—navigating a challenging political environment, and engaging proactively with district partners on facilities, special education, transportation, and enrollment.

Communication, Influence, & Leading Change

• Ignite and inspire through powerful communications and compelling narratives to mobilize people behind the organization’s vision.
• Build trusting and authentic relationships with key stakeholders, including across lines of difference.
• Lead and champion change efforts aligned with organizational strategies, considering diverse perspectives and ensuring transparency.
• Navigate complex political and policy dynamics, representing RMP with maturity, diplomacy, and gravitas as one of Colorado’s most visible charter leaders.

Board Management & External Leadership

• Oversee the recruitment, development, and management of a strong and engaged Board of Directors to execute organizational governance.
• Drive fundraising efforts in concert with the Board and leadership team.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with authorizers and civic leaders across the state, positioning RMP as an influential voice in Colorado’s charter ecosystem and a partner of choice for communities seeking high-quality schools.

Functional Knowledge

• Partner with and manage senior executives overseeing key functional areas, including academics, advocacy, fundraising, data and technology, finance, operations, strategy, and talent.
• Demonstrate political acumen and the ability to operate effectively within a complex district context marked by declining enrollment, shifting board priorities, and an increasingly challenging environment for charter schools.

Requirements

The ideal candidate for CEO will demonstrate:

• 10+ years of senior leadership experience in education or a mission-driven, multi-site organization, with strong strategic and operational acumen across budgets, systems, and people.
• Demonstrated track record of driving exceptional student outcomes and learning experiences, supported by deep instructional leadership expertise and a proven ability to select, develop, evaluate, and empower senior academic leaders who deliver consistently high-quality instruction.
• Proven success leading organizational transformation—including growth, merger, integration, or turnaround—using disciplined change management to rebuild trust, unity, and stability with measurable impact.
• Deep commitment to educational equity and excellence, with a track record of translating equity values into measurable results that close opportunity and achievement gaps and strengthen staff engagement and retention.
• Demonstrated success driving academic excellence across multiple schools, including improving uneven performance, leading turnaround efforts, and developing and positioning exceptional academic leaders.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and community leadership skills, with authentic, visible engagement in urban, multilingual, and multicultural contexts, including strong partnerships with families and school communities.
• Experienced collaborator with Boards of Directors and external partners, with the ability to expand fundraising, civic engagement, and ecosystem relationships to elevate RMP's presence and impact in Denver and Colorado.
• Ability to quickly build local credibility and trusted relationships, serving as a unifying and inspiring organizational presence.

YEAR-1 PRIORITIES

1. Elevate Academic Excellence & Equity - Strengthen performance in underperforming schools by driving a powerful, system-wide commitment to rigorous, joyful learning for every student, aligning instruction, data, and equity goals to ensure consistently excellent outcomes and meaningful growth across all campuses.
2. Inspire & Invest in Extraordinary People - Create an environment where talented educators and staff can do their best work — and want to stay. Improve balance, recognition, and professional growth while infusing joy, purpose, and belonging into every role.
3. Deepen Partnerships with Families & Communities - Be a visible, authentic ambassador who listens, learns, and leads alongside families and community partners. Elevate their voices as true co-creators and champions of Rocky Mountain Prep’s mission and future.
4. Strengthen Unity & Shared Purpose - Build relational trust with principals, teachers, staff, and families—reconnecting the organization and fully completing the RMP–STRIVE merger into a unified identity—while inspiring a cohesive, values-driven culture rooted in trust, collaboration, and transparency. Foster a shared vision that connects campuses, staff, and families in pursuit of RMP’s mission.
5. Build Strong Systems for Sustainable Growth - Rebuild and strengthen a robust, well-functioning senior leadership team that reflects the size and complexity of an ECE–12 charter network, while designing and implementing clear, empowering systems that bring consistency and focus across the organization. Build the structures, rhythms, and accountability that enable campuses to thrive and stay focused on what matters most — students.

Benefits

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position offers a competitive salary range of $275,000 - $325,000, and robust benefits including:

• Flexible PTO
• Bonus eligible
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA
• Executive life and disability insurance
• PERA Contribution
• Twelve weeks of paid Caregiver Leave (after 1 year at the organization)
• Professional Development Budget

More details can be provided upon request.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume online at https://apply.workable.com/j/78B8FE59F6/ .

Rocky Mountain Prep is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. Recruiting staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Candidates are evaluated solely on their qualifications to perform the work required.