Job Title: Leadership Support Specialist

Licensure: Professional Educator License with Administrative or Principal Endorsement

Reports To and Evaluation by: Superintendent

Terms: 12-month position 

Salary Range: Salary to be established by the Board on an annual basis: $100,000-$110,000

The Leadership Support Specialist serves as a dedicated coaching and capacity-building resource for the district's administrative and instructional leadership teams. This position is designed to strengthen the instructional and operational effectiveness of school leaders across Zion Elementary School District 6, with a primary and deliberate focus on the professional growth of principals and assistant principals.

The Leadership Support Specialist works collaboratively with district directors and school leadership teams to build coherent systems of support, establish consistent leadership practices, and foster a culture of continuous improvement that positively impacts student achievement and organizational effectiveness.

Primary Function
The Instructional Support specialist provides support for and assists the principal in fulfilling the following responsibilities:

• Living a Mission and Vision Focused on Results
• Leading and Managing Systems Change
• Improving Teaching & Learning
• Building & Maintaining Collaborative Relationships
• Leading with Integrity & Professionalism
• Creating & Sustaining a Culture of High Expectations

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field required.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrative or Principal Endorsement, Curriculum and Instruction, or a closely related field required.
• Doctoral Degree and/or Superintendent Endorsement preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as a principal or assistant principal in an elementary or K�8 setting required.
• Demonstrated experience providing instructional coaching, mentoring, or leadership development for administrators preferred.
• Experience working in an urban, diverse, or high-needs school district preferred.
• Knowledge of Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards, school improvement requirements, and compliance expectations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of evidence-based instructional practices, curriculum development, assessment systems, and school improvement frameworks.
• Expertise in adult learning theory, leadership coaching, mentoring, and professional growth practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to establish trusting relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to provide candid, constructive, and growth-focused feedback.
• Ability to analyze multiple forms of student, staff, and organizational data to inform leadership support and decision-making.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive leadership practices.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing responsibilities and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency with technology platforms used for communication, data analysis, leadership development, and professional learning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Principal and Assistant Principal Development and Instructional Leadership Coaching

• Provide ongoing individualized coaching and support to principals and assistant principals through scheduled coaching cycles, goal-setting conferences, reflective practice sessions, and observation debriefs.
• Support school leaders in developing and refining their instructional leadership vision and their ability to identify, articulate, and model effective teaching and learning practices.
• Coach principals and assistant principals in conducting meaningful classroom observations and delivering actionable, growth-oriented feedback aligned with district evaluation frameworks.
• Guide leaders in analyzing student achievement and school performance data to inform instructional decisions and school improvement efforts.
• Assist principals and assistant principals in designing and facilitating effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and staff professional learning opportunities.
• Leadership Capacity Building
• Design and facilitate professional learning experiences for principals and assistant principals, including leadership retreats, workshops, collaborative learning labs, and leadership academies.
• Support assistant principals in preparing for principalship through individualized growth plans, mentoring opportunities, job shadowing experiences, and expanded leadership responsibilities.
• Assist newly appointed principals and assistant principals with onboarding, orientation to district systems, and transition into leadership roles.
• Coach building leaders in strategic planning, school culture development, family and community engagement, and effective staff management.
• Facilitate networks of principals and assistant principals focused on collaborative problem-solving, professional learning, and shared leadership development.
• Evaluation and Leadership Growth Planning
• Collaborate with the Superintendent or designee to develop individualized leadership growth plans for principals and assistant principals.
• Conduct periodic reviews of leadership growth goals and adjust supports based on performance data, observations, and self-reflection.
• Maintain documentation of coaching sessions, leadership goals, and professional learning activities.
• Support leadership evaluation processes by providing coaching perspectives while maintaining appropriate distinctions between coaching and evaluative responsibilities.

District Director Support

• Collaborate with district directors to align departmental goals and priorities with the district's strategic plan and instructional vision.
• Support district leaders in strengthening facilitation, communication, and team leadership skills.
• Assist in designing and delivering cross-departmental professional learning initiatives that build organizational coherence and leadership capacity.
• Partner with district directors to develop systems and structures that support building leaders in achieving school improvement goals.
• School Leadership Team Support
• Facilitate school leadership team meetings, retreats, and planning sessions focused on instructional excellence and organizational effectiveness.
• Coach leadership teams in implementing shared leadership practices, distributed leadership models, and collaborative decision-making structures.
• Support teams in analyzing data, identifying school needs, establishing measurable goals, and monitoring implementation of improvement strategies.
• Build internal coaching and mentoring capacity within leadership teams to ensure sustainable support systems for teachers.
• Model evidence-based leadership practices and provide tools, resources, and frameworks that strengthen team effectiveness.

School Leadership Team Support

• Facilitate school leadership team meetings, retreats, and planning sessions focused on instructional excellence and organizational effectiveness.
• Coach leadership teams in implementing shared leadership practices, distributed leadership models, and collaborative decision-making structures.
• Support teams in analyzing data, identifying school needs, establishing measurable goals, and monitoring implementation of improvement strategies.
• Build internal coaching and mentoring capacity within leadership teams to ensure sustainable support systems for teachers.
• Model evidence-based leadership practices and provide tools, resources, and frameworks that strengthen team effectiveness.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain confidentiality and professional discretion in all coaching relationships and leadership interactions.
• Remain current on research, best practices, and emerging trends in educational leadership, instructional coaching, and school improvement.
• Represent the District at professional conferences, leadership networks, and learning communities.
• Collaborate with the Superintendent's Office on strategic initiatives and special projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

Mental Demands:

• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) with parents, colleagues, administration and all other members of the educational community.
• Ability to instruct students effectively and capably.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to use web-based programs, e-mail, and technology (laptop, Smartboard, etc.) effectively.

Working Conditions:

The work of this position is primarily performed in school and office environments. The Leadership Support Specialist must be able to travel regularly between district schools, offices, and professional development locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Indoor classrooms/School, exposure to: student noise, lawn mowing, music, odors of food, mowed grass and possible communicable diseases.
• Outdoor schoolyard and grounds, field trips; exposure to; temperatures (hot warm, cool, cold), and exposure to mowed grass.
• Regular and consistent work attendance.