Director, Spark Initiative

Impact Florida is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to improving educational outcomes for students across Florida. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every student deserves access to high-quality instruction and learning experiences that prepare them for success in life. Through collaboration with educators, policymakers, and communities, we strive to advance innovative practices, disseminate impactful knowledge, and foster systems-level change in education. As a trusted partner and strategic connector, Impact Florida works to ensure that evidence-based solutions are implemented and scaled to benefit all students.

SPARK (Supporting Practical AI for Real K–12 Classrooms) is a multi-year, district-facing initiative led by Impact Florida in close collaboration with the Florida K–12 AI Education Task Force, housed at the University of Florida’s CS for Everyone Center. The initiative is designed to support a small cohort of Florida school districts as they develop coherent, responsible, and instructionally grounded approaches to the use of artificial intelligence in K–12 education.

SPARK blends Impact Florida’s experience supporting district systems change with the Task Force’s statewide leadership, research expertise, and connections to national AI-in-education partners. Participating districts engage in structured learning, peer collaboration, and applied pilot work that integrates AI policy development and AI-informed instructional practice.

Rather than focusing on isolated tools or short-term pilots, SPARK supports districts in building sustainable capacity — including governance structures, professional learning models, and instructional strategies — that enable thoughtful, effective use of AI in service of teaching and learning. Lessons emerging from SPARK will be shared broadly to inform district practice and contribute to statewide guidance across Florida.

Impact Florida seeks an experienced, forward-thinking, and highly organized individual to lead the design, development, and implementation of SPARK, and related initiatives focused on responsible, effective use of artificial intelligence in K–12 school systems. Reporting to the Chief Impact Officer, the Director will guide district partnerships, design professional learning, manage complex multi-stakeholder projects, and shape a statewide approach to AI-enabled innovation that strengthens teaching and learning.

Success in this role requires a leader with deep professional relationships across Florida’s education landscape, particularly with district leaders, technical assistance partners, and organizations, networks, or researchers working in the emerging field of AI in K–12. The Director will leverage these relationships to co-design district pilots, build meaningful communities of practice, and ensure that SPARK remains rooted in the real-world needs, constraints, and opportunities facing Florida’s schools.

This position is ideal for a leader who brings both strategic vision and operational precision—someone equally skilled at cultivating relationships, designing adult learning, and driving complex, district-facing initiatives from concept to launch.

• →Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of SPARK, including district learning cohorts, workshops, and guidance resources.
• →Build and sustain partnerships with districts, researchers, vendors, and statewide education organizations to support responsible adoption of AI in K–12 teaching, learning, and leadership.
• →Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables; coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal staff to ensure high-quality execution.
• →Develop and refine frameworks, guidance, and tools that help district leaders assess readiness, evaluate AI tools, manage implementation, and support educator learning.
• →Facilitate in-person and virtual convenings, professional learning sessions, and communities of practice for district and school leaders.
• →Collaborate with the Chief Impact Officer and other program leads to ensure alignment across innovation, instructional materials, strategic learning, and systems influence work.
• →Lead the creation and dissemination of content—including resources, case studies, and communications materials—that share insights emerging from district pilots and SPARK activities.
• →Establish systems for tracking district engagement, project progress, implementation outcomes, and lessons learned.
• →Contribute to organizational learning by documenting best practices, piloting approaches responsibly, and scaling what works.

You are energized by big ideas and the discipline required to make them real. You see the rapid rise of AI in education not as a buzzword, but as a moment that calls for thoughtful leadership, clarity, and a deep understanding of what students and educators actually need. You’re excited by the chance to help Florida’s districts navigate this moment responsibly, practically, and with a focus on strengthening teaching and learning.

You’re the kind of leader who builds trust quickly — the person district teams call when they’re trying to figure out what’s possible, what’s practical, and what to pay attention to next. You’re equally at home in a school building, on a Zoom with technical experts, or in a room of state-level partners exploring what Florida should do next.

You love creating structure from ambiguity and bringing people together around a shared purpose. You enjoy designing learning experiences that stretch people’s thinking and help them feel confident adopting new tools and practices. You’re curious about emerging technologies, clear-eyed about their risks, and committed to helping educators use them wisely.

Most of all, you’re motivated by the chance to build something new — a program that doesn’t just help Florida “keep up,” but becomes a national model for how states can support districts in navigating AI with both responsibility and creativity.

You will thrive in this role if you:

• See AI not as an endpoint, but as an opportunity to improve teaching, learning, and leadership — when implemented thoughtfully.
• Find energy in building partnerships and communities of practice that help leaders learn together.
• Enjoy translating complex ideas into guidance that feels accessible and doable for busy district teams.
• Bring a calm, practical voice to work that can otherwise feel overwhelming or abstract.
• Appreciate being part of a small, nimble team where your ideas shape the direction of a statewide initiative.
• Feel inspired by the opportunity to help a fast-moving field mature in a way that genuinely serves students and educators.

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Learning Sciences, Computer Science, Public Administration, or a related field; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in K–12 education, education technology, instructional innovation, or a similar role.
• Demonstrated expertise in the use of artificial intelligence or emerging technologies in K–12 teaching and learning.
• Established professional relationships within Florida’s education community — including district administrators, school leaders, technical assistance organizations, higher-ed or research partners, or networks engaged in AI or instructional innovation.
• Proven project and contract management skills — including scoping deliverables, managing budgets, and overseeing vendor work.
• Strong facilitation skills, with experience designing and leading professional learning for school or district leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex AI-related concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
• Proven ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to evolving needs.
• Experience working with Florida districts or within Florida’s education landscape is preferred.
• Self-starter who is detail-oriented, collaborative, and comfortable navigating ambiguity.

• Impact Florida operates as a fully virtual/remote organization. While candidates from anywhere in the United States will be considered, priority will be given to applicants located in or with strong professional connections to Florida.
• Expect travel within Florida of approximately 15–20% across the year, with occasional high-travel periods.

Please submit an online application, resumé, and a cover letter responding to the following prompt:

Describe a time you helped a school, district, or team adopt an emerging technology or innovative practice. How did you support decision-making, manage competing priorities, and measure success?

Note that on the application website, you will also be asked to record and upload a video of yourself (no longer than 60 seconds), answering the following question: What potential do you see in AI to strengthen teaching and learning, and what guardrails do you believe are essential for responsible implementation?

We intend to fill this role as quickly as possible, with a start date in early 2026. Our application deadline is January 30, 2026, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as they are able.

Impact Florida is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory work environment. Impact Florida does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, arrest record, conviction record, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law and strives to be an inclusive environment where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work every day.