What are the responsibilities and job description for the Head of Upper School, Grades 9-12 position at Greenwich Country Day School?
Greenwich Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school with a current enrollment of over 1400 students in grades N-12, and a faculty and staff of over 350. The original Old Church Road campus is home to grades N-8. The High School, established in 2019, is located less than two miles away on Stanwich Road. Founded in 1926, Greenwich Country Day School is a family school where innovative teaching is encouraged as teachers model and foster a love of learning, challenge and inspire children toward academic excellence, and cultivate students’ interests and talents outside of the classroom. We value purposeful and personal learning in a joyful environment, with emphasis on the development of character, creativity, and a sense of personal value, along with strong academic skills. GCDS is committed to graduating ethical, confident leaders who possess a strong sense of purpose.
Greenwich Country Day School seeks a Head of Upper School, Grades 9-12, to begin July 1, 2026. The Upper School currently enrolls approximately 460 students in Grades 9–12. The Head of Upper School is a member of the Senior Administrative Team and is responsible for the strategic leadership, daily operation, and overall programmatic direction of the Upper School.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership & Program Coherence
Qualifications & Leadership Attributes
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Greenwich Country Day School seeks a Head of Upper School, Grades 9-12, to begin July 1, 2026. The Upper School currently enrolls approximately 460 students in Grades 9–12. The Head of Upper School is a member of the Senior Administrative Team and is responsible for the strategic leadership, daily operation, and overall programmatic direction of the Upper School.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership & Program Coherence
- Oversee the design, articulation, and alignment of the Upper School academic program
- Supervise and develop Program Leads to build strong instructional leadership across disciplines
- Approve new courses and program initiatives; partner with Program Leads to pursue research-based innovation
- Maintain a visible instructional presence through classroom engagement and the teaching of one course
- Promote a culture where intellectual rigor and joyful engagement are mutually reinforcing in the classroom experience
- Use student performance data and trends to inform program adjustments and resource allocation
- Recruit, supervise, onboard, and evaluate faculty using the GCDS growth goal process
- Foster a collaborative and reflective professional culture grounded in trust, teamwork, and continuous improvement
- Provide coaching and feedback to deepen instructional practice and support faculty leadership
- Strengthen cross-disciplinary collaboration and nurture faculty leadership capacity
- Partner with the Dean of Student Life to ensure a culture of safety, accountability, connection, and care
- Build strong relationships with students and remain a visible, accessible leader in daily school life
- Collaborate with the Director of Wellness and Student Support, Learning Specialists, and Advisors to ensure responsive systems of student support
- Reinforce Upper School structures and routines that promote character, agency, and community participation
- Align academic pathways and advising structures to complement college counseling guidance
- Work closely with the Admissions Office to articulate the vision of the Upper School and support mission-aligned enrollment
- Represent the division at admissions, college counseling, and family engagement events
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the Upper School, including scheduling and faculty coordination, in partnership with the Assistant Head of Division
- Communicate proactively with families to promote transparency, understanding, and a strong home–school partnership
- Represent the Upper School internally and externally, reinforcing a “one school” identity
- Contribute to strategic planning, accreditation work, and institutional stewardship as a member of the Senior Administrative Team
Qualifications & Leadership Attributes
- A Master’s degree or higher in education or a related field
- A minimum of five years of senior leadership experience in an Upper School or equivalent institutional setting
- Demonstrated success supervising and developing faculty, including instructional leaders/Program Leads
- Experience approving or managing curricular design, implementation, and innovation at the high school level
- Proven ability to cultivate and leverage external partnerships with higher education institutions and industry or community organizations to enhance student learning in a project-based environment.
- Strong capacity for data-informed decision-making and systems-level thinking
- A strategic, student-centered leader who connects vision with practical execution
- A relational educator who builds trust through clarity, follow-through, and presence
- An adaptive thinker with high emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate complex situations with poise and integrity
- A culture-builder who models optimism, professionalism, and deep respect for adolescent learning and development
- A visible joy in the work of schools and belief in the limitless potential of young people
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