Head of Lower School, Beginning July 1, 2025

Collegiate SchoolHenrico, VA, US

27 days ago

Job type

Full-time

Job description

Job Description

Collegiate School seeks a Head of Lower School who will be instrumental in directing the division’s continued progress and who will personify both its personal family feel and its innovative, forward-thinking perspective. The Head of Lower School will partner with 85 dedicated faculty and staff members, 603 curious students, and a supportive senior administrative team to continue delivering an exceptional academic and character-building experience for the students. As the leader of the Lower School, this individual will be dedicated to fostering the core values of honor, love of learning, respect, excellence, and community. The ideal candidate will be a compassionate and visionary leader with a deep understanding of elementary education, along with the passion for nurturing the holistic development of young learners — intellectual, moral, emotional, and physical.

For the full position description, please go here.

General responsibilities include :

Leadership and vision : Provide dynamic and thoughtful leadership that aligns with Collegiate’s mission and strategic plan, advancing the academic, social, and emotional development of students
Faculty development : Recruit, mentor, and retain outstanding educators, fostering a culture of professional growth and collaboration
Curriculum oversight : Ensure that the Lower School curriculum is rigorous, innovative, and aligned with the JK-12 continuum, incorporating best practices in teaching and learning
Student-centered advocacy : Champion the needs and well-being of Lower School students, creating an environment where every child feels supported and valued
Community engagement : Build strong, positive relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff, fostering an inclusive and supportive school culture
Operational leadership : Oversee the daily operations of the division, including budgeting, staffing, and scheduling, while maintaining alignment with the broader goals of the School
Inclusion and belonging : Lead efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that reflects the School’s commitment to inclusion and belonging

Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications and competencies :

A willingness to lead in alignment with the mission, values, and future ambitions of the School

A passion for elementary education and a deep understanding of child development

An ability to serve as a visible, energetic, active, and engaged presence

Significant experience as a teacher and administrator in independent schools at the elementary level

A demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with all stakeholders

Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities effectively

An advanced degree in education or a related field

A collaborative and approachable leadership style that inspires trust and engagement

A capacity to serve as an ethical and transparent role model for administrators, faculty, staff and students, and capacity to call on others to be their best selves in a community

An Ability to forge authentic relationships with a wide range of people both within the constituencies of the School and externally, including parents, alumni, faculty and staff, and others

Superb oral and written communication skills

Required Competencies :

Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate the School’s shared purpose; builds trust among colleagues; is accountable; lives up to commitments.

Proven cross cultural competency skills demonstrating self awareness, awareness of others and the ability to adopt inclusive perspectives, attitudes and behaviors to drive inclusion and belonging in the ongoing development and maintenance of an inclusive campus community .

Demonstrates a strong commitment to a servant leadership model focusing on the growth and development of the team to successfully fulfill shared goals.

Understands the big picture and handles areas of responsibility in a manner consistent with the School’s mission and values. Offers assistance within the office especially during busy times.

Relates to the Collegiate community including faculty, staff, students, parents and applicants in a cooperative manner.

Meets deadlines, demonstrates effective use of time and handles multiple assignments simultaneously.

Understands the need for growth and is receptive to constructive feedback.

Maintains confidentiality at all times.

It is critical that candidates demonstrate a commitment to the School’s Core Values and Mission

HONOR

Personal integrity and devotion to the truth, which make one trustworthy, forthright, responsible and fair.

LOVE OF LEARNING

A creative spirit that promotes intellectual and personal growth through exploration, inquiry and openness to change.

EXCELLENCE

A sustained commitment to meeting high standards of character, achievement and personal accountability.

RESPECT

Fundamental regard for the dignity and worth of each individual.

COMMUNITY

A commitment to responsive and compassionate citizenship and service on campus, in the local community and in the broader world.

Who we are

Collegiate School is a co-educational, independent day school located in Henrico County, within 20 minutes of downtown Richmond, Virginia, for students in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. For more than 100 years, Collegiate has nurtured inquisitive thinkers, responsible citizens, and compassionate leaders. Grounded in the values that have sustained it over the course of more than a century, Collegiate provides its nearly 1,700 students with an engaging academic environment dedicated to preparing them for a globally connected and changing world.

The essence of Collegiate School is the richness of relationships among students, faculty, parents, administrators, and alumni in a dynamic learning community with high personal and academic expectations. This exceptional educational environment enables students to develop their potential for intellectual growth, leadership, and service.

Why Collegiate?

Collegiate School is well-regarded for developing students into citizens who lead, serve and shape the world. We do so with the help of a caring faculty and staff who also have opportunities to lead, serve and shape the world, through the young lives they touch.

Below are just a few examples of some of the great advantages of working at Collegiate :

Excellent professional development opportunities for faculty and staff

Collaborative working environment

A rich employee benefits package (which includes free lunch!)

Opportunities for growth and leadership

An environment that fosters creative and innovative instruction

The School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender (including pregnancy), age, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or military status, marital status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions at the School are based on merit, qualifications, and skills.