Desert Montessori School seeks an experienced, enthusiastic leader to join us as Head of School for the 2024-2025 school year. The new Head will build upon the collaborative management style of the previous head to inspire a positive school culture and connected school community. The new Head needs to be an inspiring and motivated executive who will be a dynamic presence at the school and a respected voice in independent education with the political and diplomatic sensibilities to guide the Desert Montessori School community in a shared mission. Day-to-day operations run smoothly at DMS, and the school is well positioned for growth. As a result, 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.

Head of School Job Description

The Head of School will oversee and act as Leadership for the Teacher-Led Desert Montessori School, in collaboration with the Program Director. The Head of School is the face of Desert Montessori School and helps oversee the functioning of the organization. Main responsibilities of this position fall into the following main categories: leadership, development, community, and employee relations. 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 FOCUS and ECECD 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.
• Plan Parent Education.
• 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 (Education/Administration).
• Approved training according to FOCUS and licensing standards (Toddler or Primary Montessori Certification, degree in early childhood, and/or approved equivalent training/education).
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new software and computer apps.
• Ability to use Google Office and Google Classroom.
• 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 Quickbook 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).
• Montessori training (AMS or AMI preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years teaching experience and/or school director or administrative experience.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector.
• Accounts payable/receivable experience/or accounting training (certificate).

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:

• 6 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

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $72,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

School type:

• Montessori
• Private school

Ability to Relocate:

• Santa Fe, NM 87505: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person