Desert Montessori School seeks an experienced, enthusiastic leader to join us for the 2024-2025 school year. This Head of School position will be the public face of DMS. We are looking for someone with strong leadership skills who will proactively form community partnerships, be warm and welcoming, and will dedicate themselves to the growth, stability, and development of our small Montessori school. The ideal candidate will be comfortable with and enthusiastic about supporting children ages 2-12, but a background in education is not a requirement. The new Head of School will build upon the collaborative management style of the previous Head to inspire a positive school culture and connected community. This is not a job for a change-agent, but rather for a visionary leader who seeks to build upon a strong foundation in order to take the school to the next level.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Head of School will oversee and act as Leadership for the Teacher-Led Desert Montessori School. The Head of School is the face of Desert Montessori School and helps oversee the functioning of the organization. Responsibilities of this non-profit leadership position fall into the following main categories: leadership, development, community, and employee relations. Pedagogical oversight will be managed by a separate Program Director position. Desert Montessori is a teacher led school, which means all teacher voices are valued and promoted. The Head of School must be dedicated to upholding and strengthening this model.
LEADERSHIP
Reports directly to the DMS Board of Directors.
Acts as liaison between the Board and the school.
Managing operations for the organization.
Upholds and supports our teacher-led model by valuing and seeking all staff voice, wisdom, and input in accordance with the circle structure and advisory process.
Provides professional leadership for faculty and staff.
Supports the Program Director in overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that support the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school, including summer and afterschool programming.
Ensure operations are in accordance with all legal requirements including those outlined in state licensing.
DEVELOPMENT
Brainstorms and plans community and fundraising events.
Works with Board and staff to execute events as well as strategic planning to ensure future success and longevity of the school.
Implement DMS Strategic Plan.
Research, manage, and create opportunities for strategic growth, fundraising, and grants.
COMMUNITY
Build relationships with prospective and current parents supporting the admission and retention of children in the school. This includes, but is not limited to, sharing responsibility for tours.
Scheduling re-enrollment and enrollment dates and coordinating with the Board and Program Director.
Represent the school to all of its constituents including neighborhood and community, parents, students, business community, faculty, staff and the educational community.
On-site oversight of Summer Program.
Planning and managing school and community events.
Planning Parent Orientation.
Hands-on support for students ages 2-12 as needed.
Plan Parent Education in conjunction with the Program Director.
Seek and manage opportunities for community involvement and volunteer opportunities (both internal and external).
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
Supervises all staff in conjunction with PD.
Brainstorming and implementing structures to help support staff communication.
Oversees school culture and works to create and maintain a positive work environment.
Shared responsibility with Facilitating Administrator and Program Director to ensure that scheduling and staffing needs are being met daily.
Oversight of employee relations including hiring, onboarding, assessments, check-ins, mediating conflicts, and termination.
Oversight of implementation of Teacher Led structure.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
Bachelor's degree required in a related field.
Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software and computer apps.
Ability to use Google Workspace.
High level of proof-reading skills.
Exceptionally detail-oriented with the proven ability to handle numerous tasks with appropriate follow-up and reporting activities while not losing sight of the big picture.
Experience with task prioritizing and a demonstrated ability to work successfully and considerably under pressure with multiple responsibilities on tight deadlines.
Excellent organizational skills.
Strong self motivation and self initiative; ability to take direction as well as work independently and with minimal supervision on multiple projects.
Ability to follow an advice process and collaborate with others.
Experience planning and executing community and fundraising events.
Experience with Quickbooks accounting software and other accounting skills.
Creating and maintaining a budget.
High level of written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work well with others, including an ability to establish and maintain rapport with internal and external contacts in a professional environment.
Strong diplomacy skills and professionalism are mandatory; this includes the ability to maintain complete confidentiality and discretion at all times.
Dedicated to learning, following, and improving the teacher-led model of the school.
Demonstrated ability to lead staff trainings.
Experience with upholding HR processes and protocols including hiring, termination, and following grievance procedures.
Excellent conflict management skills.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Proven dedication to DEI initiatives.
Experience working with diverse populations.
PREFERRED SKILLS:
Master’s degree (Education/Administration).
Minimum of three (3) years administrative and/or leadership experience.
Experience in the nonprofit sector.
Accounts payable/receivable experience/or accounting training.
Ideal candidate will have the following characteristics:
Friendly, patient, kind and proactive.
Organized and keen sense of detail with an ability to work independently as part of a larger team.
Ability to multitask as well as maintain confidential information.
Proven ability to handle numerous details, with appropriate follow-up and reporting activities.
Ability to work calmly under pressure.
Must demonstrate a friendly and cooperative attitude with internal and external contacts.
SALARY:
$72,000
BENEFITS:
8+ weeks paid vacation
$500 annual health stipend
Option to pay into 403(b) (not currently matched)
Tuition Remission
Outstanding work environment with supportive community and colleagues
HOURS:
Roughly 7:45-3:45
Weekly meetings until 4:45
Must be able to attend school events outside of working hours
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references. This position is local to Santa Fe, NM - please do not apply unless you currently reside in the Santa Fe, NM area.
Desert Montessori School does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and national or ethnic origin in its hiring practices.