Position Description for Cherry Creek Schools, Arapahoe County, Colorado
The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education in Arapahoe County, Colorado, is seeking a highly qualified Superintendent.
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development, has been engaged as the consultant in a search for outstanding candidates. They will assist the governing board in identifying and screening the candidates.
Enrollment: 52,000
Location: Denver-metro area: Cities of Centennial, Aurora, Cherry Hills Village, Greenwood Village, Foxfield, Glendale, and Englewood as well as areas of unincorporated Arapahoe County, Colorado.
The Qualifications:
The candidate must be a visible, high-integrity, equity-focused, and student-centered leader who models transparency and builds trust across many constituencies, leads strategy, manages complex operations, and brings people together to execute a clear vision for improved student outcomes.
The Board of Education has identified the following core leadership qualities and priorities as essential criteria for success:
Core Character and Ethics
- Integrity, honesty, and a strong moral compass.
- Transparency and accountability as expected norms.
- Courage to make difficult decisions while staying student-centered.
Student-Centered Vision and Equity
- Commitment to equity, multiculturalism, and closing achievement gaps.
- Unwavering focus on students as the driver of all decisions.
- Clear instructional vision tied to demonstrated student growth and achievement.
Strategic and Instructional Leadership
- Ability to articulate and execute a forward-looking vision in a changing education landscape.
- Demonstrated success driving measurable student achievement.
- Committed to action and ability to lead meaningful change.
- Capacity to lead strategic plans while adapting to funding constraints and enrollment shifts.
Communication and Public Presence
- Clear, effective communicator internally and externally.
- Ability to serve as a visible ambassador for the district.
- Public speaking, community engagement, and responsiveness.
Collaborative, Relationship-Driven Leadership
- Strong engagement with diverse stakeholders.
- Emphasis on listening and fostering shared ownership.
- Skilled in board relations and political awareness without being political.
Organizational and Team Leadership
- Ability to build, develop, and retain a high-functioning leadership team.
- Prioritizes staff morale, culture, and motivation.
- Success managing complex systems and multiple constituencies simultaneously.
- Strong financial stewardship, budgeting, and taxpayer accountability.
Additional Requirements: CCSD Superintendent Job Description CCSD Superintendent Job Description
Compensation: $295,000 - $335,000 subject to negotiation, and comprehensive benefits package.
Search Timeline (subject to change):
Closing date for applications: October 15, 2026 (11:59 p.m. central time)
Preliminary Interviews: December 8-9, 2026
Selection of Finalist: January 11, 2027
Selection of new Superintendent: To Be Determined
Contact information:
McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.
11725 Arbor Street, Suite 220
Omaha, NE 68144
888-375-4814
Email:apps@macnjake.com
District Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/
Consultants:
Dr. Steve Joel s_joel@macnjake.com
Dr. Walt Cooper w_cooper@macnjake.com
Dr. Deborah White d_white@macnjake.com
Dr. Randy Zila r_zila@macnjake.com
Cherry Creek School District 5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin , family composition; parental status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, creed, or disability and, when needed, will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Anyone requesting reasonable accommodation in the application or recruitment process please contact McPherson & Jacobson at the address/phone/email above.