Founding AI School Leader/Fellow

Founding AI School Leader/Fellow

Location: Greater Phoenix, AZ

About Us

Arizona Leads (AZ Leads) exists to accelerate student achievement in Arizona’s highest-need communities. AZ Leads equips parents, communities, and educators with the tools, partnerships, and policy influence needed to advance high-quality, equitable education. Grounded in proven models and disciplined innovation, the organization is uncompromising in its focus on measurable results for students across the state. Silicon Schools Fund (SSF) partners with visionary educators to design and launch innovative public schools that prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Through funding, incubation, and strategic support, SSF helps founders build schools that rethink how learning happens while delivering strong academic results for students. Together, AZ Leads and SSF are partnering to incubate and launch a new, innovative public charter school in Phoenix, AZ. This school will combine rigorous academics, a strong and joyful culture, and responsibly integrated artificial intelligence to expand opportunity for students.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a full-time AI School Leader/Fellow to found a next generation of schooling from the ground up—rethinking how students learn, how adults work, and what it takes to deliver extraordinary outcomes for young people. The AI School Leader/Fellow will build a school that is rigorous, joyful, deeply human, and unmistakably excellent. The school is intended to serve as a national proof point for how artificial intelligence can deepen relationships, expand opportunity, and help redefine excellence in public education—offering a model that could help shape what school becomes in Arizona and beyond.

The individual who steps into this role will bring vision, courage, and design ambition to create the school students deserve: one that combines strong academics, powerful relationships, and a future-ready model built for the world young people are entering. Technology, including AI, will support that vision, but it will not define it. The heart of the work is building a breakthrough school model that expands opportunity, inspires students, and proves that a dramatically better version of school is possible. 

AZ Leads, in partnership with SSF, will provide grant funding to support pre-launch capacity and the school’s initial philanthropic needs. Fellows will also receive comprehensive support throughout incubation, including guidance on authorization, facilities, financial planning, and school design, with dedicated AI partners supporting the development of responsible, high-leverage systems. Planning will begin in August 2026, with the school expected to open in Fall 2027, dependent on readiness and authorization timelines.

About the Role

Responsibilities will include:

School Model Design and Academic Excellence

• Build a transformational, next generation school model that gets incredible results for young people
• Design a rigorous academic approach grounded in evidence-based practices and measurable student outcomes
• Develop curriculum, assessment, and instructional systems aligned to Arizona standards and high expectations
• Integrate responsible AI-enabled systems to strengthen instructional planning, data use, and operational efficiency
• Develop and communicate strategic school systems, culture, and vision, and build a plan to achieve that vision
• Implement effective assessment systems and use data to inform decisions
• Represent the school and the broader initiative publicly, when appropriate, to help advance the field’s understanding of next-generation school models

Authorization and Governance

• Lead the charter authorization process from application through approval, ensuring a compelling academic vision and strong operational plan
• Establish clear governance structures and compliance systems that support responsible oversight and organizational integrity
• Report to a high-functioning founding board that brings relevant expertise and strong governance practices
• Engage families, community leaders, and local stakeholders to build trust and durable support for the school

Operational Leadership

• Ensure the operational success of the school before and after launch
• Effectively manage resources including people, capital, and infrastructure within the school
• Ensure school safety for students, faculty, and guests, including maintenance of the school building, grounds, and equipment
• Design and implement effective operational systems and routines that support the smooth functioning of the school and enable staff to focus on high-quality teaching and learning

Hiring and People Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing instructional team, overseeing recruitment, development, evaluation, and retention of faculty and staff
• Develop a culture of adult excellence and continuous improvement, where coaching, feedback, and accountability drive strong teaching and professional growth
• Establish strong instructional systems and professional development that strengthens teaching practice
• Ensure rigorous and effective instruction across classrooms and hold staff accountable for strong outcomes for all students, including meeting a high bar for academic performance and ensuring appropriate support and compliance for students with IEPs and other learning needs

School Culture

• Build and sustain a joyful, rigorous, and mission-aligned school culture grounded in high expectations 
• Cultivate strong relationships with families and community leaders to foster trust, engagement, and long-term partnership 
• Communicate clearly and consistently with families and stakeholders, ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and shared understanding of school priorities
• Develop partnerships with community organizations that expand opportunities for students and strengthen the school’s role in the broader community

Preferred Qualifications

We know exceptional founders may come from different pathways. The strongest candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Bachelor’s degree (required); Master’s or Professional degree (preferred)
• Significant teaching experience and experience as an instructional leader (Assistant Principal, Principal, Dean, or equivalent leadership role), with a strong record of driving outstanding student results
• Passionate commitment to the mission of Arizona Leads and investment in our vision as education changemakers driven by equity and access; desire to serve as a long-term school leader in Phoenix
• Relentless commitment to anti-racism, unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels, and dedication to building a school grounded in excellence
• Interest in and openness to responsibly leveraging AI-enabled tools and innovative systems to strengthen instruction, streamline operations, and improve decision-making
• Deep understanding of curriculum and assessment
• Strong data analysis skills and ability to use data to inform decisions and improve outcomes
• Ability to lead, manage, and motivate adults; demonstrated success coaching and developing teachers
• Capacity to build and implement effective school systems, manage competing priorities, and execute with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Commitment to fostering community relationships and partnerships; strong ties to the Phoenix community preferred
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to collaborate successfully with diverse stakeholders
• Entrepreneurial mindset and comfort navigating ambiguity
• Self-awareness and humility; commitment to continual professional growth and eagerness to give, take, and implement feedback

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this role is between $135,000 and $185,000 annually. We offer comprehensive, flexible, and competitive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Upon authorization and school launch, the Founder will transition to employment under the school’s 501(c)(3), with long-term compensation determined by the governing board. SSF may provide capital support and access to additional funding connections to ensure strong launch conditions.

Application

Interested and qualified applicants should apply here. Note: the application deadline for this position is April 21, 2026. We do not guarantee review of applications submitted after this date.

We support equal opportunity and value building the diversity of our team as we grow. We seek individuals of all races, ethnicities, abilities, and creeds to support our organization’s work and encourage individuals from historically under-represented backgrounds to apply. We prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of any protected status under applicable law.

https://jacqbennettconsulting.applytojob.com/apply/lWeZSYzds2/Founding-AI-School-LeaderFellow