Executive Director (Founding)

About Taíno CoLAB Academy 

Taíno CoLAB Academy is a growing network of innovative high schools within an emerging ecosystem of Taíno CoLAB schools. Each Taíno CoLAB Academy campus operates as an independent charter school governed by its own Board of Directors, while partnering closely with CoLAB Education, a future-forward charter management organization serving as the network’s systems and design partner.

CoLAB Education develops and stewards the Taíno CoLAB learning model, operational frameworks, and network-wide strategy, supporting schools in delivering a coherent, high-quality experience across sites. Taíno CoLAB Academy schools implement this shared model locally, grounded in community context and responsive leadership.

Grounded in World Economic Forum’s Education 4.0 and a 4D Quantum Learning framework—including inquiry-based learning, design thinking, creativity, and service learning—Taíno CoLAB schools integrate early college pathways, workforce-aligned credentials, and community-based learning to prepare students for college, career, and civic leadership.

The Taíno CoLAB model intentionally blends Indigenous and culturally rooted learning with future-facing innovation, including the ethical and empowering use of artificial intelligence as a learning tool. Schools operate as community-centered hubs, embedding health, workforce, and community-based partners directly into the school ecosystem.

Taíno CoLAB Academy will open its first campus in New Haven in 2027, followed by a second campus in Waterbury with a targeted launch in 2028. These schools are part of a broader strategy to build a scalable, community-centered network of Taíno CoLAB schools in close partnership with CoLAB Education.

Role Overview

The Founding Executive Director is the senior executive leader responsible for launching and leading Taíno CoLAB Academy’s first campus while laying the foundation for a growing network of schools. The Executive Director reports directly to the Board of Taíno CoLAB Academy and partners closely with CoLAB Education to implement shared learning models, operational systems, and network-wide strategy.

This role is designed for a founder-minded leader who thrives in ambiguity and leads through curiosity, collaboration, and co-creation. The Executive Director will translate Taíno CoLAB’s research-based learning model into a fully operational, community-embedded school while building the leadership, systems, and partnerships required for long-term success.

The Executive Director will recruit, develop, and manage a strong founding leadership team, serve as the primary external representative to community and civic partners, and ensure coherent implementation of the 4D Quantum Learning framework. In addition to leading the launch and operation of Taíno CoLAB Academy New Haven, the Executive Director will play a central role in preparing for the launch of Taíno CoLAB Academy Waterbury (targeted for 2028) and supporting the future growth of the Taíno CoLAB network in collaboration with CoLAB Education.

This position is both a founding school leader and a builder of a scalable ecosystem of schools, offering a unique opportunity to grow with the organization and shape the long-term vision of Taíno CoLAB Academy.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as the founding executive leader for Taíno CoLAB Academy New Haven, stewarding the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
• Align organizational strategy, systems, and partnerships to the 4D Quantum Learning framework.
• Act as a continuous learner—engaging deeply with existing research, instructional materials, and partner organizations to refine and evolve the school model.
• Navigate ambiguity and lead in an environment that blends innovation, systems thinking, and design thinking.
  

School Launch & Team Development

• Lead early-stage planning and execution for the Fall 2027 school opening, including a Summer 2027 program and Winter 2027 lottery, in partnership with CoLAB Education to ensure alignment with network-wide models, frameworks, and systems.
• Hire and manage key leadership roles, including the Principal and Operations leader.
• Develop and execute a personalized learning plan during the first 3–6 months to deeply understand the community, partners, and model.
• Support early student recruitment efforts in collaboration with anchor community partners.
  

Community, Partnerships & External Relations

• Build and steward deep partnerships with community-based organizations, higher education institutions, and workforce partners.
• Co-create community-based learning experiences aligned to student projects and competencies.
• Serve as a visible leader with funders, political leaders, and state representatives, engaging comfortably in both formal and informal settings.
• Represent the organization with credibility and authenticity across Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in Connecticut.
  

Systems, Governance & Measurement

• Work closely with the Board to support governance, decision-making, and organizational sustainability.
• Oversee the development and use of competencies to measure student learning, adult development, and community engagement.
• Engage with regional and state technical supports in Connecticut, learning regulatory and political contexts as needed.
• Partner with facilities and development partners, learning quickly and facilitating complex processes tied to school infrastructure.
• Navigate the financial realities of a growing charter organization—including public funding streams, philanthropic support, cash flow management, and scalable cost structures—while building toward long-term sustainability.

Requirements

Top Core Competencies 

1. Systems Thinking & Strategic Design: Ability to think holistically about organizations while applying design thinking to learning models, partnerships, and systems.
2. Community-Centered Leadership & Co-Creation: Capacity to authentically partner and co-create with communities, honoring cultural heritage while building bespoke, community-based learning ecosystems.
3. Adaptive & Innovative Leadership: Comfort navigating ambiguity, adopting new tools, and leading innovation in education, workforce development, and learning design.
4. External Influence & Relationship Stewardship: Skill in building trust and credibility with funders, political leaders, state representatives, and cross-sector partners.
5. Learning-Oriented & Reflective Practice: Commitment to being a learner first—engaging deeply with research, partners, and feedback to continuously refine practice.

Benefits

Compensation, Benefits & Location

Salary Range
The anticipated salary range for the Founding Executive Director role is $170,000 - $185,000 with flexibility based on experience and scope of responsibility. Compensation may increase if the Executive Director assumes oversight of a second school site in Waterbury as CoLAB Education expands.

Incentives & Bonuses

This role includes the opportunity for incentive-based compensation in addition to base salary. Bonus structures and performance measures will be developed collaboratively with the CMO and the Board and aligned to school and network priorities.

Potential incentives may include:

• Relocation support, if applicable
• Annual performance-based bonuses
• A bonus tied to successful expansion with the launch of an additional campus
• A retention bonus at the end of the initial three-year contract term, accompanied by a compensation review and contract renewal discussion
  

Benefits & Retirement
A comprehensive benefits package will be offered, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a retirement plan. Additional details will be shared during later stages of the hiring process.

Location & Travel Expectations

• This is a Connecticut-based role, with regular on-site presence and work throughout the state to engage community partners and stakeholders
• Candidates are not required to be Connecticut residents at the time of hire; proximity to New Haven (including parts of neighboring states such as New York and Rhode Island) is acceptable, provided the candidate can maintain a consistent in-person presence
• The Executive Director must be willing to spend significant time in Connecticut to build deep familiarity with the local education, policy, and community landscape
• Regular in-person presence is expected, particularly during community engagement, partner meetings, and the school launch phase
• Periodic national travel is required to visit peer schools and engage with design, research, and learning partners across the country, especially during the first 6 months to 1 year of employment