WCASS- Executive Director - Vacancy ID: 226174

Position Description:

The Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Services (WCASS)  is seeking a visionary and dynamic leader to fill the role of Executive Director. This individual will be responsible for overseeing governance, strategic planning, operations, member engagement, advocacy, and business development to advance the mission and vision of WCASS. The role requires a proven leader with deep expertise in special education and student services, strong business acumen, and the ability to build meaningful partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities (review of CAE exam foci impacts this area) 

• Governance: Support the board to attain mission and vision, establish and follow clear roles and responsibilities, establish succession plan for BoD positions

• Executive Leadership: Make operational and strategic decisions grounded in ethics, inclusion and growth mindset

• Organizational Strategy: Manage, analyze and leverage data to meet mission and vision

• Operations: Manage organization resources

• Support and supervise staff to ensure program goals are met

• Oversee management and operations to ensure effective operations and sustainable resource management

• Business Development: Establish non-dues or member fee-based revenue sources

• Member and Stakeholder Engagement: Grow strong member and stakeholder relationships to achieve the organization’s mission and goals

• Grow partnerships with organizations whose work aligns with and strengthens support for members so they can meet the needs of the families they serve

• Advocacy: Build coalitions and relationships to advocate for the needs of members (examples: deepen relationships with DPI including Cabinet, Directors of DLS and consultants, serve on Board of Directors for School Administrators Alliance (SAA) to advocate for and align legislative priorities of WCASS members)

• Marketing and Communications: Establish, implement and evaluate marketing and communication plans

Key skills and attributes: Ethical leader with

• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency with multiple virtual meeting platforms and technology needed to conduct day-to-day operations, Comment end . 

• Track record of leading that fosters professional, collegial relationships.

• Growth mindset that extends to business opportunities that serve members.

• Ability to work independently, with teams and board members.

• Deep understanding of and successful experience leading special education and/or student services teams.

• Curiosity leading to lifelong learning. 

• Experience navigating state-level engagement in mission related work.

Qualifications: This position requires at least seven years of experience: 

• Leading high functioning, effective teams. 

• Adeptly designing, facilitating and implementing strategic work to meet mission and vision.

• Effectively supervising adults with clear expectations for program impact. 

• Coaching for growth and building collective efficacy.

• Evaluating implementation and improvement of programs for impact.

• Leading mission oriented work.

• Systematically using data to implement and improve products, services and operations.

• As a licensed Director of Special Education and Pupil Services