Director of Innovative Models & Policy

Title: Director of Innovative Models & Policy

State Role Title: Education Administrator III

Hiring Range: Exact Commensurate Based on Qualifications & Experience

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Ed Central Operations

Location: JAMES MONROE BUILDING

Agency Website: doe.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

This role is focused on leading the design and launch of innovative school models, advancing seat time flexibility, and serving as a strategic policy partner across the agency, with a focus on local empowerment, efficiency, regulatory flexibility, and student outcomes.



In collaboration with the Deputy Superintendent of Innovation, Student Pathways and Opportunities, and Office of Innovation team, agency leadership, and external stakeholders, this position will lead current and emerging innovative K-12 models and student-centered initiatives, with particular attention to:



Lead the Development and Support for Innovative High-Quality School Models: Manage the design, approval process, and implementation support for a portfolio of public school models, including public charter school applicants and authorizers; College Partnership Lab Schools; Regional collaborative; public microschools; School-within-a-School concepts; and alternative schools. This position must ensure each model aligns with academic and legal expectations, reduces regulatory burdens that stifle innovation, and capture best practices and successes in partnership with the Office of Excellence and Best Practices and ODU’s Center for Education Innovation and Opportunity. Build out technical supports and assistance for new model design and schools seeking redesign space or school models. This position will serve as liaison with prospective applicants, current applicants, and recently approved models and key partners.

Implement and Scale Seat Time Flexibility Statewide: Lead the development and implementation of Seat Time Flexibility Notices and policies, competency-based pathways, and mastery-based credit systems, allowing schools to better focus on student outcomes. Design tools, guidance, and performance frameworks to ensure quality without micromanagement and launch a learning network for thought partnership, to showcase national exemplars, and prove what’s possible. Work in partnership with Office of Student Performance and Metrics team specializing in competency-based assessments to eliminate any barriers for administering state assessments and with the data and research teams to properly capture students advancing ahead of traditional grade bands.

Provide Cross-Agency Innovation Policy Support: Partner with other offices (e.g. transportation, finance, student pathways, advanced learning) to identify, clarify, and help implement flexibilities that remove outdated barriers and modernize school operations. This could include partnership for professional development, trainings, and network opportunities such as transportation modernization, scheduling waivers, or staffing innovations for the new workforce.

Advance Clear, Cohesive Policy Frameworks for Emerging Models: Develop and maintain policy frameworks that support the growth of alternative and nontraditional models and use of community spaces, including regulatory guidance, model structure examples, performance expectations, and legislative recommendations where needed to help encourage innovation and reduce ambiguity for school leaders and local stakeholders. Design, implement, and coordinate any other innovative initiatives and projects as the Office of Innovation evolves.

To manage and lead a small staff to design, implement, and coordinate innovative initiatives and practices throughout the Commonwealth.

Minimum Qualifications

Deep Knowledge of Innovative and Nontraditional Education Models: Understands the design, approval and operational needs of public charter schools, College Partnership Lab Schools, Regional collaborative education models, microschools, and other hybrid or alternative school models. Understands and appreciates the value of public-private partnership in designing innovative models.

Familiar with personalized and competency-based learning models, seat time flexibility, and other successful redesign approaches, models, and support structures.

Strong grasp of state education statutes, waivers, and rulemaking processes

Skilled in translating policy into practical, field-ready implementation guidance

Capable of leading cross-agency initiatives from design to execution and to communicate complex concepts simply and credibly

Strong planning, documentation, and stakeholder management skills

Comfortable handling multiple complex projects with tight timelines and political visibility

Balances visionary thinking about the future of education with practical attention to policy details

Able to anticipate unintended consequences, legal risks, and operational realities

Skilled in writing:

Policy guidance

Grant or application frameworks

Board of Education Memos

Entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving

Demonstrates ability to think outside the box and troubleshoot barriers with thoughtful solutions.

Sets a tone of urgency, professionalism, and clarity within the team and across partners.

Highly collaborative with both internal staff from varied departments and external stakeholders, including local school divisions, external vendors, and appointed officials.

Additional Considerations

Bachelor’s degree in one of more of the following fields:

Education policy or leadership

Public Administration

Political Science

Law/Legal Studies

Innovation or Technology Policy



Preferred Advanced Education (Not required but strongly valued):

Public Policy (MPP)

Education Leadership (M.Ed.)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Familiarity with:

Public charter school laws and authorization processes

College partnership lab schools

Microschools and/or hybrid learning environments

Code of Virginia

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Pursuant to Sections 2.2-3114 and 2.2-3115 of the Code of Virginia, this position has been designated as requiring you to disclose your financial interests. Financial interests shall be disclosed as a condition of employment and thereafter as required. The mechanism you will use to disclose these interests is called Statement of Economic Interests.

A résumé will be accepted in lieu of a completed state application. Applications submitted via e-mail, postal service, fax or hand-delivered will not be considered. Successful candidates must pass a criminal background check. Commonwealth of Virginia employees may have teleworking options available. Final teleworking agreements will be reviewed and approved upon hire.

Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process:
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to prove their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs.cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview process. For assistance call: (804) 225-2021, [TTY: 786-8389]

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and the VDOE that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply. The Virginia Department of Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resoruces

Phone: N/A

Email: humanresources@doe.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.