Executive Director of the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation

Role overview

The Executive Director will partner with the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation (IPEC) Board to shape long-range strategy, guide overall operations, and lead the organization’s management functions. This role also involves building a strong staff team, coordinating with federal, state, and local agencies, and representing IPEC in discussions with elected officials at the state and county levels. The position carries broad independence within the policies established by the IPEC Board.

IPEC was created under Indiana House Enrolled Act 1423 (2026) as an independent political subdivision in Marion County, Indiana. It oversees key administrative, financial, facilities, and transportation responsibilities for Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) and charter schools within IPS boundaries, while also establishing a district-wide accountability system focused on performance, financial stability, operational efficiency, and educational equity. The organization is governed by a nine-member board.

The Mayor of Indianapolis recommends a candidate for the Executive Director role, and the IPEC Board appoints the individual selected from that recommendation.

Core responsibilities

• Use data-driven judgment to address and manage facilities, financial, transportation, and educational accountability matters affecting IPEC.
• Monitor IPEC operations to ensure alignment with board policies, internal procedures, legal obligations, and approved goals; prepare required periodic reports.
• Work with finance staff to build and manage the budget, approve payroll and other spending, track account balances, request transfers or supplemental appropriations when needed, and keep operations cost-efficient.
• Negotiate and sign vendor agreements as needed, and pursue grants or other external funding opportunities.
• Act as a primary representative and communication link for IPEC with agencies, media, the board, and the public; serve on committees, boards, and at meetings as appropriate.
• Help lead the organization from startup into full operation as a major transportation and facilities entity.
• Manage and direct staff by interviewing candidates, making hiring decisions, assigning and delegating work, providing training and corrective guidance, evaluating performance, maintaining discipline, and administering personnel policies.
• Develop, revise, and communicate IPEC policies and procedures for staff and service providers.
• Stay current on technology relevant to IPEC’s mission through seminars and training.
• Remain available on a 24-hour call basis for emergencies.
• Carry out additional duties assigned by the IPEC Board Chairperson.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree plus at least five years of relevant experience, including two or more years in a supervisory role, or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
• Strong working knowledge of personnel policies and workplace rules, with the ability to apply them correctly.
• Background in public-sector organizations and experience leading them.
• Proven ability to supervise staff, make hiring decisions, delegate tasks, coach employees, evaluate performance, and enforce discipline.
• Experience preparing grant applications, building supporting plans, and managing awarded grants while meeting reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
• Experience overseeing a complex organization with substantial assets.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to work professionally with coworkers, board members, government agencies, and the public while showing awareness of ethics, cultural differences, gender sensitivity, and disabilities.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions from the IPEC Board and respond constructively to feedback.
• Comfort using standard office and communication equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, and cell phones.
• Ability to protect confidential information while also supporting public access to records as required by state law.
• Capacity to work independently or collaboratively in a team setting with limited supervision and maintain respectful working relationships.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities under deadlines and manage frequent interruptions and distractions.
• Willingness to work extended hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, and to travel out of town for training, conferences, and meetings, sometimes overnight.
• Availability for 24-hour emergency on-call duty.
• A valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.

How to apply

Submit a resume and cover letter by email to jobs@indianapolispubliceducationcorporation.com.