Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs

Saint Mary’s School is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9–12. The School is the fourth oldest girls’ boarding and day school in the country and is located on a beautiful 23-acre campus in the heart of Raleigh, within walking distance to many restaurants and attractions the City of Oaks has to offer.  Raleigh-Durham, NC is ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States by US News & World Report.

Saint Mary’s School is offering a unique and exciting opportunity to work on a beautiful historic campus beginning with the 2025-26 year. This benefited position includes campus housing provided by the School where Residential Faculty members can participate in a vibrant campus life with other families and students and enjoy meals in the dining hall.

We are looking for candidates who have strong teaching and learning backgrounds that embodies a student-centered philosophy and demonstrates a high degree of cross-cultural competency and inclusion in all aspects of school life. Saint Mary’s School seeks candidates who believe every learner deserves to have her needs met through learning communities that value diversity, compassion, and fairness. Our teachers work to create equitable classrooms providing students with equal access to learn and achieve their full potential. 

The Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs is charged with the comprehensive responsibility of all curricular and some non-curricular development and activities involving students and faculty at Saint Mary’s, enhancing these programs in consultation with the Head of School and other key administrators.

 The Assistant Head is responsible for motivating and leading the faculty in developing and delivering a state-of-the-art curriculum focused on intellectual growth and moral character in adolescent girls while maintaining positive, effective communications with parents and other key constituents in the community. The Assistant Head also provides leadership for the student experience, in keeping with the School’s Mission and Guiding Principles, with a specific focus on student leadership, internships, extracurricular programming, and student activities.

 The Assistant Head encourages enthusiasm for the school’s special culture by cultivating a strong sense of community in which all know they belong and are respected, challenged, and supported. The Assistant Head must also assist the Head in developing a school culture commensurate with the school’s mission: to educate girls for college and life. The Assistant Head reports directly to the Head of School.

 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the academic policies/curriculum committee in articulating the school mission, school goals, department goals, course objectives, materials, methods, and means of assessment.
• Maintain congruency between the school’s board-approved mission statement and all school activities.
• Oversee the academic and student life administration of the school.
• Lead, develop, and sustain a comprehensive student life program that is aligned with the school’s mission and achieves its strategic plan and vision.
• Responsible for the management, leadership, training, and professional development of student life staff and faculty following best practices in independent boarding schools.
• Oversee the academic use of technology, including curricular integration, learning management systems, and student information systems as they pertain to integration.
• Act as the school's educational leader, responsible for its day-to-day operation.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the school’s programs, expectations, behavioral guidelines, and other essential information to ensure that all constituencies are well-informed and aware of their roles.
• Be a visible presence in all areas of the school.
• Be knowledgeable and able to articulate advances and trends in pedagogy and education.
• Observe, supervise, and help assess faculty and staff performance.
• Provide recommendations to the Head of School on hiring, retaining, and assigning faculty and staff who interact with students.
• Conduct regular meetings with faculty and student life staff that will deal with routine school matters and the stimulating exchange of ideas on issues of educational/philosophical interest and concern.
• Work toward a resolution of all problems - both routine and unique -as they arise.
• Keep the Head of School informed of the school's general programs, activities, and problems.
• Assists in the admission process when necessary, making an effort to meet with all visiting families and present to prospective student groups when appropriate.
• Oversee the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs, including the planning and presenting of school assemblies and programs.

 Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of School and perform weekend and night responsibilities to support the life of the residential community and the academic program as required.

 This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties an employee in this position is required to perform. Employees are required to follow other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by those authorized to give instructions or assignments.

 Other Duties:

This is a twelve-month residential position. The Assistant Head of School will be expected to live on campus and perform regular supervisory roles throughout the school term, including on weekends. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in educational leadership or school administration, Doctorate preferred, and a minimum of ten (10) years of experience in education, including classroom teaching and a minimum of five (5) years of experience as a senior administrator, preferably in independent schools or any appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Possess an understanding of, interest in, and passion for girls and how they learn, interact, and succeed.
• Proven track record of working collaboratively in educational leadership.
• A dynamic instructional leader with a solid understanding of students' developmental and curricular needs.
• Experience or knowledge of dual enrollment curriculum preferred.
• Outstanding leadership skills.
• Effective communication (including listening), interpersonal and management skills
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, as well as presentation skills and an inclination to contribute to high-level decisions
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Strategic thinker and empathetic problem solver
• Technologically savvy
• A collaborative and collegial personality well-suited to the School’s culture.
• Positive attitude and sense of humor
• Willingness to support the school and its leadership at all times
• Knowledge of boarding school culture
• A commitment to Saint Mary’s School mission