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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Director of Innovation and CTAE - Georgia Connections Academy - **Company:** Georgia Connections Academy - **Location:** Duluth, GA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Program Design Languages, Virtual Learning Environments - **Published:** September 7, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.topschooljobs.org/job/2404953/director-of-innovation-and-ctae-georgia-connections-academy/ ## About the Role * Masters Degree or higher in Education Leadership required with a Tier I Leadership and Clearance certification * Minimum 5 years of experience leading innovation, program design, grants, or organizational change in K-12 education. * Proven success implementing scalable initiatives that impact student outcomes. * Experience writing, managing, or executing grants strongly preferred. * Georgia CTAE Knowledge & Experience * Demonstrated experience with Georgia CTAE pathways, Georgia Standards of Excellence, and GaDOE CTAE program requirements, including pathway development and implementation. Preferred Qualification * Strong understanding of career-connected learning, STEAM pathways, workforce development, CTAE or postsecondary readiness initiatives * Ability to translate research and best practices into actionable, measurable programs ## Description The Director of Innovation and CTAE provides strategic leadership for Georgia Connections Academy's innovation agenda and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs across grades K-12. This role ensures that innovation, career-connected learning, and workforce readiness are intentionally designed, implemented, and scaled in alignment with state requirements, student interests, and postsecondary pathways. This role exists to ensure that innovation at GACA is intentional, research-backed, compliant, equitable, and scalable-not simply incremental improvement. The Director leads forward-thinking initiatives across academics, student engagement, workforce readiness, and operations, while also securing and executing external funding to support innovation through competitive grants and partnerships. The Director of Innovation Programs collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, school level principals, directors, board leadership, Pearson Virtual Schools, and external partners to introduce and develop from concept to implementation with fidelity and measurable impact., * Oversees all CTAE pathways, exploratory programs, and career-connected learning experiences * Ensures alignment with Georgia CTAE standards, Perkins requirements, and workforce trends * Supports pathway development, program quality, and continuous improvement Innovation Strategy & Program Design * Develop and execute a system-wide innovation strategy aligned to GACA's mission, charter goals, CCRPI priorities, and Strategic Improvement Plan. * Identify gaps where existing approaches no longer meet student or staff needs and design next-generation solutions for a virtual learning environment. * Lead innovation listening sessions, needs assessments, and data reviews with students, families, staff, and leaders. * Design, pilot, and refine innovative programs across: * Instructional models and intervention systems * Student engagement and belonging * Career pathways, STEAM, CTAE, and workforce readiness * Family and community engagement * Virtual school operations and systems * Ensure all innovation initiatives are equity-centered, compliant, data-informed, and scalable across grade bands and regions. Program Execution, Implementation & Scaling * Own innovation initiatives from pilots through full implementation, ensuring alignment, pacing, and outcomes. * Lead cross-functional project teams involving curriculum, counseling, operations, technology, assessment, and community engagement. * Support school leaders and staff in adopting new practices, tools, and programs with clarity and consistency. * Develop and execute implementation playbooks, timelines, budgets, and sustainability plans. * Monitor success metrics and make data-driven decisions to refine, expand, or sunset initiatives. * Collaborate with senior leaders to embed successful innovations into existing school structures and systems. Grant Writing, Funding & Grant Execution (NEW - CORE FUNCTION) * Identify, research, and pursue local, state, federal, and philanthropic grant opportunities aligned to GACA's innovation priorities, CTAE, and workforce development. * Lead or co-lead grant writing, proposal development, budgets, and narratives in collaboration with the Business Manager, Federal Programs team, and Executive Director. * Serve as the programmatic lead for awarded grants, ensuring: * Grant activities align to approved scope of work * Timelines, deliverables, and outcomes are met * Documentation and reporting requirements are fulfilled * Funds are used with fidelity and compliance * Partner with internal teams to translate grant requirements into executable school-level plans. * Evaluate grant-funded initiatives for impact and sustainability beyond the funding period. Data, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement * Oversee rigorous data collection and evaluation of innovation initiatives. * Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to measure student outcomes, engagement, and operational effectiveness. * Use the findings to iterate and refine programs, guide leadership decisions, and expand successful strategies. * Ensure transparency and clarity around innovation outcomes for internal leadership, the Board, funders, and external stakeholders. Stakeholder & External Engagement * Build strong partnerships with internal teams, school leaders, board members, and external partners. * Represent GACA in innovation-focused spaces including conferences, networks, grant collaboratives, and partnerships. * Communicate innovation vision, progress, and outcomes clearly to the Executive Director, Board, and school community. * Benchmark best practices from leading virtual, charter, and innovative school models nationwide. Student Outcomes & Readiness * Uses data to monitor participation, completion, credentials, and postsecondary indicators * Ensures CTAE programming contributes to academic growth, engagement, and graduation outcomes, * This position is based on-site at Georgia Connections Academy's school office in Duluth, Georgia. * The Director of Innovation should expect regular in-state travel to support in-person assessments, school events, and statewide operational needs. * The role also requires occasional out-of-state travel for professional conferences, leadership development, and required training. * Flexibility in scheduling and travel is essential to meet the demands of a statewide virtual school. ## Related Videos - [Successful talent development: A joint journey of executives and talents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1002-successful-talent-development-a-joint-journey-of-executives-and-talents) - [We are all part of the game](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/406-we-are-all-part-of-the-game) - [Startup Tech Presentations](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/779-startup-tech-presentations) - [The End of Unconscious Bias Training. 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