Superintendent - San Antonio ISD

The San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) Board of Trustees, in partnership with WorkTogether Talent Consulting, is seeking a visionary, results-driven, and community-centered leader to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools. SAISD is San Antonio's founding school district — one of Texas's largest and most storied urban school systems, educating approximately 42,000 students across more than 80 campuses in the heart of the Alamo City. The Board invites applications from experienced leaders who are deeply committed to ensuring every child succeeds and who will embrace San Antonio's vibrant community as their own.

Every child. Every day.

Download the full Superintendent Leadership Profile here: https://tinyurl.com/SAISDSupt

The qualifications below reflect the Board of Trustees' superintendent leadership priorities as informed through a comprehensive community engagement process conducted by WorkTogether Talent Consulting, including Board member interviews, stakeholder focus groups, a community town hall, and a community input survey completed by more than 2,000 respondents.

• Proven superintendent or senior executive leadership experience in a large, urban school system: A demonstrated track record of measurable academic improvement in a high-poverty, complex urban context is the single most important credential for this role. Prior superintendent or assistant/deputy superintendent experience is preferred. Five (5) or more years of executive-level leadership required.
• Demonstrated ability to turn around underperforming schools: A clear record of results improving academic outcomes at scale, including at persistently low-performing campuses. The ability to develop and execute a coherent, evidence-based instructional improvement plan — and to stay the course — is required. Candidates who demonstrate the resilience and adaptability to lead through sustained change, maintain focus on long-term goals under pressure, and remain accountable for the outcomes of their decisions will be strongly positioned to succeed in this role.
• Exceptional people leadership and talent development: A skilled executive who builds strong, high-performing leadership teams by identifying, recruiting, and empowering talented individuals across all areas of district operations. Able to assess organizational talent quickly, make strategic personnel decisions, and delegate effectively — recognizing that exceptional leadership is defined not by personal expertise in every domain, but by the ability to surround oneself with the right people, develop their capacity, and hold them accountable for results.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial thinking: A demonstrated ability to approach leadership with creativity and fresh thinking across academic, fiscal, and operational dimensions. Candidates who have identified new opportunities, built collaborative cross-sector partnerships, or developed inventive solutions within complex policy and funding environments — including leveraging state resources, interdistrict collaboration, or new program models — will bring a meaningful and valued advantage to this role.
• Commitment to transparency: A leader who operates with openness and integrity as a matter of principle — proactively sharing information, communicating difficult decisions honestly, and ensuring that all families and stakeholders feel genuinely informed and included, not just those with access to formal channels.
• Deep knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and what drives student learning: A strong working knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and best practices for student learning is highly valued. The ideal candidate will be familiar with the principles of high-quality instructional materials, Tier 1 instruction, and data-informed decision-making at the campus and district level.
• Investment in teachers, principals, and staff: A leader who puts students first and recognizes that serving them well requires investing in the people closest to them — championing competitive compensation, meaningful professional development, and a workplace culture where educators feel genuinely supported and celebrated.
• Community and civic partnership development: A strong ability to cultivate and sustain meaningful partnerships across a broad range of constituencies — including business leaders, faith communities, neighborhood associations, civic organizations, and philanthropic partners — is highly valued. Candidates who have demonstrated success engaging diverse external stakeholders and translating those relationships into tangible investments, resources, or programmatic support will find those skills directly applicable and impactful in San Antonio.
• Develop and sustain effective Board relationships: Ability to build and maintain a productive, trust-based working relationship with all seven members of the Board of Trustees.
• Commitment to educational excellence across all student populations: An unwavering advocate for every student's access to high-quality learning, regardless of background, ZIP code, disability status, or language. Particular attention to closing persistent achievement gaps for economically disadvantaged students, English learners, students with disabilities, and historically underserved student groups.
• Champion of SAISD's school choice and innovation portfolio: Familiarity with or appreciation for a diverse portfolio of school models — including traditional neighborhood schools, magnet programs, dual language academies, and SB 1882 partnership schools — is a valued asset. Candidates who have worked in or alongside multi-model district environments, or who demonstrate genuine curiosity and openness toward school choice as a strategy for student access and success, are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Financial vision and fiscal oversight: A working familiarity with school finance, budget management, and resource allocation is expected. Deep financial expertise is not required, but rather the confidence and judgment to set a clear fiscal direction, ask the right questions, and hold a senior finance team accountable for delivering results. The ideal candidate has experience stewarding a district budget responsibly, making student-centered resource decisions transparently, and collaborating with a leadership team to navigate complex financial environments.
• Genuine visibility and community embeddedness: An approachable, accessible leader who builds authentic relationships by being present — on campuses, at community events, and in the neighborhoods SAISD serves. Willingness to become deeply and genuinely invested in San Antonio and its communities.
• Cultural competency and bilingual proficiency: Deep respect for San Antonio's predominantly Hispanic, often bilingual community and its cultural heritage. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills: Outstanding written and oral communication skills across diverse audiences and settings are preferred.

Candidates must hold or be eligible to obtain a valid Texas Superintendent Certificate prior to employment. Eligibility for the standard Superintendent Certificate requires a minimum of a principal certificate or equivalent from another state. Questions regarding certification should be directed to the Texas Education Agency at (512) 463-9734.

In addition, a Criminal History/Background Check and Fingerprinting are Required.

Salary and Benefits: Negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience, as determined by the Board of Trustees.

This superintendent search process is being managed by WorkTogether Talent Consulting. Applicants should not contact the SAISD Board of Trustees or the district directly. All candidate inquiries should be directed to John Troy, Founder & CEO of WorkTogether, at [email protected].

The Application Process is a Two-Step Process. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Step 1: Submit all Application Materials No Later than the Application Deadline of Tuesday, May 26th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CDT.

All application materials must be submitted to the online application here: https://recruiterflow.com/worktogether/jobs/183

The application packet should include (combined in 1 pdf - do not submit word documents or multiple documents):

• A formal Letter of Interest addressing the SAISD Superintendent Leadership Profile
• A current, comprehensive résumé
• A list of at least three professional references (name, title, organization, phone, email)

Note: References will only be contacted for finalists progressing to the Round 2 interview. Candidates will be notified before their references are contacted.

• Copies of official college/university transcripts
• Copy of current Texas Superintendent Certificate or evidence of eligibility
• A signed verification form (included here: https://tinyurl.com/WTVerification )

Once your application packet is submitted, you will receive an email invitation to Step 2.

Step 2: Submission of Online Interview Questions No Later than Friday, May 29th at 12:00pm/noon CDT.

All candidates who apply will be emailed instructions on how to record and submit responses to a small set of online video interview questions.

WorkTogether Talent Consulting Selected as Supt Search Firm - 4/13/2026

Community Engagement (focus groups, town hall, online survey) - 4/21/2026 - 4/29/2026

Superintendent Leadership Profile Finalized - 5/1/2026

Application Opens - 5/4/2026

Application Deadline (note: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis) - 5/26/2026

Video Interview Deadline (note: videos are reviewed on a rolling basis) - 5/29/2026

Lone Finalist Publicly Announced (21-day Waiting Period Begins) - No Later than July 1st