School Executive Director at Solterra School, LLC – Norfolk, Virginia

About Solterra School, LLC

Solterra School exists to redefine education through holistic inclusion—blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and integrated therapeutic supports within an eco-conscious environment that honors each learner’s unique rhythm of growth.

Mission Statement Alignment

Solterra School exists to redefine education through holistic inclusion—blending Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and integrated therapeutic supports within an eco-conscious environment that honors each learner’s unique rhythm of growth.

The Executive Director (Instructional Leader) advances this mission by ensuring a safe, compliant, high-quality learning environment where students with disabilities receive consistent instruction, integrated supports, and stable leadership through strong systems, staff accountability, and family partnership.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (Instructional Leader) serves as the onsite School Administrator responsible for daily leadership, instructional oversight, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance at Solterra School. This role ensures the school meets all applicable requirements under Virginia regulations governing private schools for students with disabilities, and that instructional and therapeutic services are delivered safely, consistently, and professionally.

In addition to day-to-day school leadership, the Executive Director plays a key role in staff accountability, HR-adjacent compliance (license/credential tracking), IEP participation, and ongoing communication with families and stakeholders.

This role requires a calm, systems-driven leader who can manage complexity, provide clear expectations, and ensure a stable learning environment for students with diverse support needs.

Core Responsibilities

1. Onsite Instructional Leadership & Academic Execution

Serve as the onsite instructional leader responsible for academic leadership and campus-based decision-making during school operations Ensure consistent implementation of curriculum, instructional expectations, and student supports aligned with Solterra’s academic program and VDOE requirements Monitor classroom instruction, student engagement, and daily academic continuity across the school day Support educators in effective planning, differentiated instruction, and progress monitoring Partner with the CAO to implement professional development, coaching systems, and instructional priorities

2. Campus Operations & Service Continuity

Lead daily campus operations to ensure safe, organized, and consistent service delivery Maintain stable routines and systems that support student regulation, learning readiness, and predictable school functioning Coordinate staffing coverage and daily schedules to ensure classrooms and services are appropriately supported Serve as the onsite authority for real-time decision-making and urgent response needs Support smooth coordination between education and clinical supports throughout the school day

3. Compliance, Documentation & Regulatory Readiness

Maintain ongoing compliance with VDOE-related requirements and Solterra school policies Ensure accurate and timely documentation practices, including student attendance, records, incident reports, and required postings Coordinate internal readiness for inspections, licensing reviews, site visits, and audits as applicable Ensure emergency preparedness expectations are implemented and drill schedules are followed and documented Partner with corporate leadership to ensure the campus remains audit-ready at all times

4. Staff Accountability, Oversight & HR-Adjacent Administration

Provide onsite leadership for staff expectations, performance, professionalism, and campus culture Support consistent accountability practices, including attendance expectations, role clarity, and follow-through on responsibilities Partner with People Ops/Talent leadership (as applicable) to support onboarding, role transitions, and performance support Maintain staff compliance readiness by ensuring required credentials remain current, including: - License tracking (teaching/admin/special education endorsements) - Background checks and required documentation - Training completion records - Expiration monitoring and proactive renewal reminders - Ensure appropriate documentation and escalation practices exist when staff are out of compliance or performance expectations are not being met

5. Student Support, IEP Participation & Family Partnership

Attend and support IEP meetings as required, serving as campus leadership representative and ensuring school coordination Collaborate with teachers, clinical staff, and families to support student success and service continuity Serve as a primary point of contact for families regarding school-based concerns and campus-level communication Maintain proactive, timely, and professional family communication aligned with Solterra’s values and standards Support resolution of family concerns through a clear, calm, solutions-oriented approach

6. Safety, Behavior Support & Crisis Response

Ensure implementation of safety procedures, behavior response expectations, and campus-wide crisis protocols Respond to urgent behavior or safety concerns and coordinate appropriate escalation as needed Support de-escalation practices and ensure staff follow approved interventions and prohibited actions policies Maintain calm, steady leadership in emergencies, escalations, or service disruptions Coordinate communication and incident documentation following safety-related events

Qualifications

Required (Regulatory Minimums)

Holds a valid five-year, renewable postgraduate professional license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia License must include an endorsement in School Administration & Supervision OR Special Education Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with students with disabilities

Required (Role Success)

Demonstrated experience providing onsite school leadership, instructional oversight, and staff accountability Strong understanding of special education, student supports, and professional standards in disability-serving environments Strong organizational, documentation, and operational follow-through skills Ability to lead calmly under pressure and support a stable school environment Demonstrated skill in family communication and relationship-building

Preferred

Experience in private day schools, therapeutic day programs, alternative schools, or integrated education-therapy models Familiarity with UDL, SEL frameworks, and trauma-informed educational approaches Experience working alongside clinical teams (ABA, OT, SLP) in an integrated school setting Experience leading campus operations in a startup or growth-stage organization

Energetic & Leadership Fit

Calm, confident onsite leader with high integrity and strong judgment Systems-oriented and consistent; able to build repeatable processes without overcomplicating systems Warm, firm, and student-centered Strong communicator who reinforces accountability while maintaining culture Values collaboration, inclusion, and high standards

Key Collaborators

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Chief Academic Officer (CAO)

Chief Clinical Officer (CCO)

Teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff

Site-based clinicians and therapy teams

Families and external partners (as applicable)

Metrics of Success

Campus remains compliant, organized, and inspection-ready

Strong daily instructional execution and classroom stability

Staff accountability systems are implemented consistently and professionally

Staff credential compliance remains current (low/no expired licenses or missing documentation)

Positive student outcomes and safe learning environment

High family trust, responsiveness, and professional communication

Effective coordination between academic and clinical supports across the school day

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Solterra School, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We believe every member of our community deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.

The pay range for this role is:100,000 - 120,000 USD per year(Norfolk, VA)