Head of School

About Brooklyn Waldorf School

Situated in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, the Brooklyn Waldorf School is an independent educational institution serving over 190 students ranging from age three to eighth grade. The school emphasizes a Waldorf approach that nurtures development through engaging the hands, hearts, and heads, fostering attributes such as creativity, resilience, curiosity, and autonomy.

Position Overview

We are seeking a visionary, experienced, and community-driven Head of School to commence in July 2027. This leadership role encompasses oversight of academic programs, faculty, school culture, financial management, enrollment, daily operations, and community relations. The Head of School will collaborate closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, students, families, and community partners to strengthen the school's foundations and promote an inclusive vision of Waldorf education.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and promote a clear, inclusive vision for Waldorf education tailored to Brooklyn Waldorf School.
• Lead all facets of the school's academic offerings, faculty relations, cultural environment, finances, enrollment efforts, and operational activities.
• Champion principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as core to the school's educational philosophy.
• Work jointly with the Board of Trustees and Finance Director to craft and sustain viable budgets and strategic long-term financial plans.
• Enhance enrollment numbers, advancement initiatives, outreach to the broader Brooklyn community, and the school's public profile.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable faculty culture emphasizing continuous professional development and adult learning opportunities.
• Support and strengthen governance structures, including the development of the Board of Trustees.
• Build and maintain meaningful relationships with students, employees, families, alumni, prospective students, and community collaborators.
• Establish transparent organizational frameworks, responsibilities, communication protocols, and systems.
• Act as a visible, approachable, and outward-facing leader representing Brooklyn Waldorf School.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in leadership positions within educational settings.
• A record of successfully enhancing organizational culture, optimizing systems, and managing complex change processes.
• Strong financial management skills including budget development and oversight.
• Experience driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in school or educational contexts.
• Prior engagement working with or within urban communities.
• Excellent communication abilities — written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-facing.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Board members, faculty, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
• Strong skills in organization, strategic planning, and systemic thinking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the New York City educational environment.
• Leadership experience in independent schools or mission-driven educational organizations.
• Familiarity or strong interest in Waldorf education and its applications within this community.
• Experience supporting areas such as faculty development, enrollment growth, advancement, governance, or community outreach.

Leadership Characteristics

• A visionary and inclusive leader capable of conveying a clear, compelling mission.
• A reflective listener who thoroughly understands the school's community before initiating changes.
• A collaborative individual skilled at uniting diverse perspectives and fostering inclusiveness.
• An engaged and visible presence building strong relationships across the school community.
• A calm, grounded personality able to handle challenging discussions with honesty and empathy.
• An organized leader who instills clear structures and accountability while maintaining a warm, relational culture.
• An effective communicator committed to consistency, timeliness, and transparency.
• A resilient figure balancing multiple leadership responsibilities while modeling sustainable work-life balance.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this full-time position is between $275,000 and $315,000, with the starting salary determined according to the candidate's education, experience, qualifications, and expertise. The Brooklyn Waldorf School offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid leave, and additional benefits, details of which will be provided during recruitment.

Application Process

• Submit a cover letter detailing your interest in the Head of School role.
• Provide a current résumé.
• Include a list of five professional references with contact details and relationship, to be contacted only with your permission.

Additional Information

The role starts in July 2027 and is based in Brooklyn, New York. This is a full-time, onsite position with a focus on inclusive and visionary educational leadership in an urban independent school setting.