St. John’s Episcopal School, a faith-based independent school in Rancho Santa Margarita for students two years old through eighth grade, is hiring a Chief Innovation & Learning Officer. This position is a FULLTIME position scheduled to start October 2025.

Summary Description
           

The Chief Innovation & Learning Officer is a senior academic leader who inspires, designs, and leads transformative practices that prepare students for lives of purpose, service, and creativity in a rapidly changing world. More than a manager of systems, the CILO is a strategic architect of learning – advancing innovative pedagogy, ethical uses of technology, and bold new approaches that position St. John’s Episcopal School as a national leader in K–8 education.

This role weaves together teaching, technology, and transformation, guiding faculty, students, and the wider community to embrace new models of learning while honoring the School’s mission and Episcopal identity.

Essential Functions/Tasks  

Strategic Innovation & Leadership 

• Serve as a visionary thought leader and systems-thinking strategist to drive and inspire the School’s innovation and learning.
• Design and implement a Schoolwide Innovation Framework.
• Lead systems-level, future-focused long-range planning efforts.
• Actively engage with national and global networks of innovative schools, Edtech leaders, and thought partners.

Transforming Teaching & Learning 

• Partner with Division Principals and faculty to reimagine curriculum and pedagogy.
• Champion student agency through interdisciplinary projects, inquiry-based learning, and authentic assessments that recognize learner variability and context. 
• Oversee the development of a K–8 Digital and Design Literacy Framework.
• Pilot, evaluate, and scale innovative learning models.

Faculty Growth & Culture

• Foster a culture of professional innovation.
• Design and lead transformational professional development.
• Mentor faculty leaders and cultivate “innovation fellows” (teams) to design and lead pilot programs age 2 to 8th grade.

Technology & Ecosystem Stewardship

• Support the daily operations of the IT Department.
• Partner with members of the IT department to ensure a seamless balance of innovation and reliability in the School’s technology ecosystem. 
• Oversee the evolution of 1:1 programs (iPads, Chromebooks, BYOD).
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
• Support and provide inspiration for dedicated SJES STEAM classes.

Community & Global Engagement 

• Serve as the School’s chief storyteller for innovation.
• Build strategic partnerships with universities, nonprofits, and industry leaders.
• Pursue grants and funding opportunities.

Qualifications

•    Advanced degree in education, leadership, instructional technology, or related field preferred.
•    Proven track record of leading transformational change in curriculum, pedagogy, and technology.
•    Deep expertise in instructional design, human-centered innovation, and emerging educational technologies.
•    Strong leadership experience in K–12 schools, higher education, or EdTech, with the ability to inspire, coach, and mobilize faculty and staff.
•    Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
•    Demonstrated ability to build connections across disciplines, communities, and sectors to advance innovation.
•    Commitment to mission-driven education, empathy, and the holistic development of children; leads with humility, creativity, and resilience.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

•    Work may require visual acuity at both near and far distances.
•    Work is performed both indoors in a climate-controlled environment and occasionally outdoors.
•    Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds, with reasonable accommodation if needed.
•    Position requires mobility throughout the workday, with periods of standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, grasping, pushing, or pulling as part of normal duties.
•    Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

About St. John's Episcopal School

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