Chief Administrator Grant Wood AEA @ Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Grant Wood Area Education Agency, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeks an individual with strong leadership and expertise in special education, service-for-a-fee programs, organizational improvement and statewide educational collaboration. Additional Information

Apply online at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BmqTFqvvEvDv4OFhrwtazqJ7h3jkw3mG/view?usp=sharing Application deadline is November 29, 2026.

Job Summary

The Grant Wood AEA Chief Administrator serves as the chief executive officer and chief professional advisor to the Board of Directors, providing strategic leadership to advance the Agency's mission, vision, core values, and goals. The Chief Administrator aligns people, programs, services, and resources to improve outcomes for students and educators while responding to the evolving needs of schools and communities.

The Chief Administrator builds strong partnerships with school boards, superintendents, staff, and other stakeholders; develops a high-performing and accountable organization; ensures fiscal and organizational sustainability; and represents Grant Wood AEA locally and statewide. The position requires strong leadership and expertise in special education, service-for-fee programs, organizational improvement, and statewide educational collaboration.

Qualifications Required

• 1. Master's or specialist degree in educational administration or a related field; doctorate preferred.
• 2. Appropriate Iowa licensure, including Superintendent/AEA Administrator endorsement and evaluator approval, as required by law
• 3. Demonstrated successful and progressive administrative leadership experience in PK–12 education, an AEA, or a closely related educational organization.
• 4. Extensive knowledge and demonstrated experience in special education, including law, programming, service delivery, compliance, and evidence-based practices.
• 5. Demonstrated understanding of Iowa's educational system and the role of Area Education Agencies.
• 6. Demonstrated experience in organizational, fiscal, personnel, and change leadership.

Preferred

• Experience leading a complex educational organization.
• Experience leading or overseeing service-for-fee programs or services.
• Experience with strategic planning, continuous improvement, and organizational change.
• Experience collaborating across organizations and working with state agencies, policymakers, or other external stakeholders.