2026-27 Upper School Principal

About Gulliver Preparatory School

Gulliver is a leading school of distinction, founded in 1926 and rooted in a century of educational excellence. To this day, our mission remains unchanged: to create an academic community devoted to educational excellence, with a personal touch, that fulfills each student’s potential. Our dedicated educators are at the heart of this mission, as they empower our students to think, create, and grow with purpose, connecting the classroom to the real world, and preparing them for what’s next. At Gulliver, we believe that success is not just what students achieve, but also who they become, and the role they play in shaping the future.

Rooted in the spirit of Miami, Gulliver embodies the city’s energy and innovation to create a learning environment that’s dynamic and future-facing. We aspire to be a national model for teaching and learning, where the intellectual curiosity of educators and students drives creativity, discovery, and the highest levels of achievement in the classroom, in our community, and beyond.

Working at Gulliver

Gulliver is a trusted guide for families, and our faculty and staff are core to building powerful relationships that ensure every child thrives. Our compassionate, inspired educators nurture individuality and character, fostering a culture of collaboration that challenges students to meet their full potential and prepare for a future full of possibility.

Join a community where passionate educators elevate their craft, inspire future-ready learners, and take teaching and learning to the next level!

Position Overview

Our dynamic, innovative school is looking for a new Upper School Principal to begin July 1, 2026. The Upper School Principal is a visionary, student-centered educational leader who oversees all aspects of the Upper School program (Grades 9–12) such as curriculum, instruction, faculty development, student support and discipline, program innovation, student-facing administration and staff, and the overall school culture.

The Upper School Principal will work closely with the Head of School, fellow administrators, department chairs, and faculty to materialize the two central pillars of the recently approved strategic plan: The first is Next Level Teaching and Learning, which reflects Gulliver’s commitment to being a nationally-recognized school for personalized achievement and academic excellence. The second is Thriving Students, which focuses on student health, wellness, and nurturing a community of belonging.

Our push toward the next level has already begun. This includes transforming the compensation and benefits structure to retain outstanding faculty members and attract the very best talent from around the country. Reduction of faculty course loads to provide more time for professional planning, collaboration, and tailored instruction tailored. Launching a first in the nation alliance with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, expanding access for teachers to the highest quality professional development resources in the field. We will also continue to develop a model for integrating AI into our PreK-12 scope and sequence, while simultaneously engaging in data-driven review of academic programming to ensure that all offerings provide students with future-ready learning experiences and appropriate levels of intellectual press.

With regard to the second pillar, Gulliver is paying close attention to student health, wellness, and connectedness as they navigate a complex social and technological landscape. We have taken a values-based stance on shielding children from the dangers of substance use and social media, while working diligently to create a culture where every student is welcome, safe, and valued. We believe that a vibrant, thriving school community is essential for student curiosity, courage, resilience, and achievement to flourish.

Job Responsibilities

The Principal’s key responsibilities are as follows:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Collaborate with the Head of School and senior leadership team to articulate and implement strategic goals for the Upper School consistent with Gulliver’s mission and vision.
• Chart the course into the future for rigorous, coherent, and differentiated academic offerings that prepare students for college, career, and global citizenship.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, data-informed decision-making, and forward-looking educational practice.

Academic Leadership

• Lead initiatives in curriculum innovation, pedagogical best practices, assessment strategies, and academic program design.
• Oversee Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (if applicable), dual-enrollment, and other advanced pathways for our students.
• Monitor student achievement, growth, and academic outcomes; collaborate with department chairs to address performance trends and gaps.
• Support faculty in developing and refining curricula, instructional strategies, formative and summative assessment practices.

Faculty Leadership & Support

• Lead the hiring, mentoring, evaluation, and professional growth of Upper School faculty and instructional staff.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and reflective professional learning community.
• Plan and facilitate professional development aligned with best practices and school priorities (for example, personalized learning, project-based learning, digital integration).
• Conduct regular classroom visits, provide feedback, and support instructional coaching.

Student Success and Engagement

• Promote a positive, inclusive, respectful, and safe Upper School environment characterized by student engagement, well-being, and voice.
• Collaborate with student support services (counseling, learning support, college guidance) to address academic, social, and emotional needs of students.
• Oversee discipline policies, student conduct expectations, leadership development programs, extracurricular and co-curricular offerings.
• Foster student leadership, service, global awareness and character development consistent with the school’s values.

Administrative & Operational Duties

• Develop the Upper School budget in collaboration with Finance and senior leadership; monitor resources, staffing, scheduling, and program logistics.
• Oversee class scheduling, room assignments, staffing allocations, student enrollment projections and course catalog.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, state regulations, school policies, and independent school best practices.
• Serve as a point of contact for parents, external partners, and community events related to the Upper School.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with students, parents, faculty, alumni and community partners in support of Gulliver’s mission.
• Communicate effectively through newsletters, meetings, forums and other vehicles to keep stakeholders informed and involved.
• Represent the Upper School at enrollment/admissions events, parent programs, donor/advancement gatherings and alumni functions.
• Support, in conjunction with the other division principals and the academic leadership team, the development of a vibrant school culture that aligns with Gulliver’s brand, identity, and ethos.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, Educational Leadership or a related field of scholarship; Doctorate preferred.
• Significant experience (minimum 10 years) in secondary school leadership, preferably within an independent school setting.
• Proven success in curriculum design, instructional leadership, data-driven improvement and faculty development.
• Demonstrated ability to foster belonging and a sense of community for all Upper School constituencies.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; ability to collaborate at all levels.
• Familiarity with college-preparatory programs (AP/IB/dual enrollment), educational technologies, and emerging pedagogies.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Criminal Background Check, Level II Fingerprint Screening(s), and Drug screen.

Gulliver is deeply committed to the principles of equity and diversity and seeks to create an inclusive community for all faculty and staff. Gulliver is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and a Drug Free Workplace.