Head of School
Eastern Mennonite School | Harrisonburg, Virginia
Position Type: Full-time, Exempt, 12-month position with benefits
Start Date: July 1, 2027
Reports to: Board of Directors
Salary Range: $80,000- $100,000 annually, commensurate with the candidate's experience, credentials, and qualifications.
Position Description
The Head of School serves as the chief administrator of Eastern Mennonite School, providing strategic, spiritual, and organizational leadership in support of the school's mission, vision, and values. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Head of School oversees the school's academic programs, business affairs, advancement, and human resources.
The Head of School works collaboratively with school leaders, faculty, staff, families, churches, and community partners to strengthen the school, promote academic excellence, and cultivate a thriving, mission-centered learning community.
Required Qualifications
- A personal commitment to following Jesus, active involvement in an Anabaptist-affiliated faith community, and wholehearted support for the mission of Eastern Mennonite School.
- A bachelor's degree, preferably in education or a related field, and a master's degree in school administration, curriculum development, and/or education, with supervisory experience.
- At least five years of experience in teaching and educational leadership, or an equivalent combination of relevant professional experience.
- Current Virginia Administration and Supervision PreK-12 Endorsement, or the ability to obtain it.
- Strong communication, organizational, management, and supervisory skills.
- Proficiency with common workplace technology, including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
- Flexibility to participate in and provide oversight for school events outside regular working hours.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Chief Administrator and Board Leadership
- Partner with the Board of Directors in strategic planning, policy development, governance, and institutional priorities.
- Serve as the Board's chief advisor and maintain effective communication between the Board and school community.
- Model the school's Christian values and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of the school's success.
- Provide leadership, direction, and support to the school's administrative team.
2. Business Affairs and Financial Leadership
- Collaborate with the Director of Business Affairs to ensure responsible financial management and long-term institutional sustainability.
- Provide leadership in annual budgeting, financial planning, tuition recommendations, employee compensation, and benefits.
- Support planning for campus facilities, capital improvements, and a safe, welcoming learning environment.
3. Advancement and Community Relations
- Collaborate with the Director of Advancement to strengthen fundraising, donor relationships, enrollment, and community engagement.
- Support annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
- Represent EMS to churches, alumni, families, educational partners, and the broader community.
- Support admissions, marketing, and scholarship strategies that advance the school's mission.
4. Academic Leadership
- Collaborate with divisional principals to promote academic excellence, effective instruction, and student development.
- Support high expectations for student learning, behavior, and achievement, including restorative approaches to discipline.
- Guide academic and institutional improvement through strategic planning, evaluation, and data-informed decision-making.
- Encourage professional growth, educational innovation, and continuous improvement.
5. Human Resource Management
- Foster a healthy, collaborative, and mission-centered workplace culture.
- Oversee employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, and professional development.
- Support school leaders in effective supervision, employee coaching, conflict resolution, and accountability.
- Provide leadership in employee retention, compensation, benefits, employment policies, and risk management.
- Ensure that human resource practices support the school's mission, strategic priorities, and applicable requirements.
Employment and Hiring Practices
This position description is not a complete statement of all duties and responsibilities comprising this position; rather, it contains the facts necessary to evaluate the position fairly.
