Managing Director of Student Services

Managing Director of Student Services
Bronx, New York 

Seton Education Partners seeks an innovative, strategic, and dynamic leader to serve as the Managing Director of Student Success for the Brilla Public Charter Schools Network.  This position reports directly to the Chief Schools Officer.

About Seton Education Partners

Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton Education Partners is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools which have historically been the greatest equalizing factor for economically underserved children, families and communities in America for decades. 

Specifically, Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich, and—for those who seek it—vibrantly Catholic education for their children. As a national non-profit, Seton partners with (arch)dioceses and others across the country to implement innovative and sustainable new models that bridge the best of Catholic education's rich tradition with new possibilities. Seton was born of the belief that a tremendous opportunity exists to revitalize urban Catholic schools in America and strengthen the education they provide. The challenges are significant, to be sure, but with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, much can and should be done, not only to preserve this national treasure but also to build on its foundation for the benefit of thousands of children in America’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Seton has pioneered multiple innovative and high-impact solutions to the shuttering of Catholic schools in underserved communities. Seton is working to take these remarkable achievements to scale by managing a network of schools and programs that ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically excellent, character-building, and, for those who choose it, faith-nurturing education. Seton provides a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve children and families with limited educational options. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About the Brilla Schools Network

Brilla Public Charter Schools is a network of K-8th grade schools that currently serves nearly 1,600 students from Mott Haven, University Heights and Highbridge in the Bronx. The network plans to grow from a current four elementary and two middle schools to four elementary and four middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx. Core to our mission is that our students become young men and women of good character and spirit and be prepared for excellence in high school, college, and beyond. Brilla combines a classical approach to education -- an emphasis on virtue formation, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, and direct instruction of a content-rich curriculum that has stood the test of time -- with co-teaching practices and individualized online learning.* We approach the formation of our students holistically and also set high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, family member and staff. 

About El Camino Network

El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, is an optional, privately-funded Catholic after-school faith formation program that is closely partnered with Brilla charter schools. El Camino helps children, their families and their catechists to know, love and serve Christ and His Church; develop the habits, dispositions and beliefs that are indispensable to human flourishing and happiness; and live as disciples in this world and saints in the next. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. Since 2013, over 260 children have been baptized through our program. 

El Camino currently serves approximately 40% of Brilla’s students for 90 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday. Children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 30 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation. This video provides a snapshot of El Camino. El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year.

About the job of Managing Director of Student Services

This role is responsible for ensuring the highest levels of compliance, instructional excellence, and programmatic integrity in services for students with disabilities across Brilla's K-8 schools. The Managing Director will work in close collaboration with the Managing Director of Student Success to ensure a seamless transition from MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) to Special Education while maintaining a distinct focus on Special Education compliance, instructional quality, and operational efficiency.  As a key member of the Schools Team, the Managing Director of Student Services will lead the network-wide vision for Special Education compliance and instructional excellence, ensuring all students receive high-quality, legally compliant services.  He/She will provide leadership to two divisional directors who coach campus Assistant Principals of student services, ensuring coaching, accountability, and support for school-based implementation in partnership with the school principals.  Moreover, the MD of SSe will partner closely with superintendents and the Managing Director of Student Success to align systems and structures that support student learning across general and special education.  He/She will oversee regulatory compliance, IEP implementation, and service delivery to ensure 100% adherence to federal and state mandates.  This role requires a proven, collaborative-minded leader who can balance technical compliance expertise with instructional leadership, fostering a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement in student services.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the vision, development, and execution of special education programs that align with Brilla’s academic and character formation model.
• Ensure a cohesive and effective team by directly managing two divisional directors, who in turn support APs of SS and compliance analysts.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director of Student Success to ensure seamless transitions between MTSS and special education services.

• Ensure 100% compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and all federal and state regulations related to special education services and provide regular updates on policy/regulation changes.
• Oversee IEP implementation fidelity and the accurate provision of services across all campuses including Section 504 requirements.
• Manage special education billing and compliance audits, ensuring financial accountability and adherence to reporting requirements.
• Establish high-quality instructional practices for special education teachers and service providers to drive strong student outcomes.
• Provide coaching and leadership development for APs of Student Services and divisional directors, ensuring effective service delivery.
• Partner with curriculum leaders to align special education instruction with Brilla’s broader academic approach.
• Analyze student performance data to inform instructional adjustments, compliance decisions, and resource allocation.
• Work closely with superintendents, curriculum leaders, and the Schools Team to ensure aligned, research-based strategies for students with disabilities.
• Collaborate with the People team to develop recruiting, hiring, and retention strategy of highly qualified special education professionals (Learning Specialists, ICT Teachers, Related Service Providers, etc.).
• Serve as primary liaison for the network with the New York Department of Education Committee for Special Education (CSE) as well as external school districts
• Serve as a thought leader and partner in shaping policies and initiatives that improve special education services and instructional outcomes through strategic planning and annual budget planning and management.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values
• Personal responsibility with humility
• A relentless drive for excellence
• A strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• Deep knowledge of federal and state regulations, and NYSED reporting requirements including IDEA, Section 504, and New York State’s Part 200 and Part 201 regulations
• At least 5 years of leadership experience in student services, special education, or instructional leadership at a school or network level through direct supervision experience.
• Demonstrated success in improving outcomes for students with disabilities in an urban education setting.
• Strong data analysis skills, with experience using student performance data to drive programmatic improvements.
• Experience with billing and compliance audits for special education services.
• Master’s degree in Special Education or Educational Leadership (or equivalent experience).

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

• Special Education certification and administrative leadership experience.
• Experience coaching and developing school-based special education leaders (APs of SS, learning specialists, ICT teachers).
• Familiarity with classical education principles and instructional models aligned with Brilla’s approach.

• Ability to travel approximately 10-20% of the time, primarily within the US 

Diversity & Inclusivity

We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

*At Brilla, education in the classical tradition is understood to require the education of the whole person - mind, body and spirit - in the service of human flourishing. Cognitive development and character formation are interdependent: People flourish by living out the virtues. A time proven way of learning how to live out the virtues is to learn about, contemplate and discuss how these virtues have been expressed in literature and history and represented in time-tested works. 

Secondarily, a classical education is pedagogically consistent with modern cognitive science. Many current pedagogies are not fully consistent with what we know today about brain development. In contrast, classical pedagogy  (referred to as the Trivium) perfectly corresponds to how the brain develops. It emphasizes patterns, routines, and facts that young brains crave (Grammar stage); it leverages the brain’s orientation to asking “why” in the middle years (Logic stage); and it focuses on communication and persuasion in the high school years (Rhetoric stage).

To Apply

Initial application materials include: a cover letter, contact information for three references, and a resume that includes information on your background and leadership experience.

Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.

The base salary range for this position is  $140,000 to $160,000 per year, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, financial, and other benefits. New hires will typically start at the lower end of this range, depending on their relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and internal equity considerations. Compensation is determined based on our salary scales.