Now Hiring

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Head of School
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Reports to: Board of Directors
Application Deadline: May 1, 2022
Hiring Date: Fall 2022
FLSA Status: Exempt

About the School

A new Quaker school in Arizona, the Phoenix Friends Middle School (PFMS) is on schedule to open fall 2023 with a class of 5th and 6th grade students. We will enroll grades 7 and 8 in each of the following two years. This small, independent school will offer project-based learning across standard subjects with multiple co-curricular and service opportunities in the Valley of the Sun. Our tagline is The City is Our Classroom.

The School’s Mission

Phoenix Friends Middle School cultivates in each student curiosity, creativity, and confidence. Drawing on Quaker values and educational best practices, we nurture the innate goodness, desire to learn, and special gifts in all of us.

Our vibrant curriculum engages young minds through project-based experiences in the classroom and in the community. Making meaningful connections across subjects from the sciences to the arts, we encourage the deep learning, skills, and understanding needed to thrive in middle school, high school and beyond.

The Opportunity

PFMS seeks an enthusiastic educator with Friends School experience and a personal commitment to Quaker values and Quaker decision-making practices to become its founding Head of School. This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, visionary leader to have a significant impact on a school by being a part of its inception and development.

See the Opportunity Statement for more information.

Key Responsibilities

Educational Leadership

Promote the School’s mission, making it the center of all decisions and actions.
Develop and lead programs to blend Quaker Faith and Practice with age-appropriate learning standards for middle school students.
Effectively message and market the School’s vision and mission.
Ensure PFMS meets licensing and State of Arizona requirements.

Supervise Faculty and Staff

Recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and support an exceptional faculty and staff.
Oversee the integrity, quality, and enrichment of the curriculum.
Facilitate implementation of the curriculum by assuring availability of resources.

Marketing, Recruitment & Enrollment

Articulate the unique qualities of the Friends approach to the Phoenix region.
Oversee all communications and marketing to ensure consistency, and alignment with Vision and Mission.
Oversee and support the admission process.
Support the cultivation of prospective students.

Board of Directors

Attend bi-monthly and called Board meetings as ex officio member.
Submit a written report of PFMS progress to every Board meeting.
Participate in annual goal-setting and performance review.

Desired Candidate Qualities

A dedication and commitment to the School’s mission and Quaker values.
A friendly and welcoming demeanor and the ability to communicate with students, staff, and parents in an open and professional manner.
A love of working with children and adults.
An ability to think creatively and positively about complex problems.
Cultural competency with the ability to actively promote equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Preferred Candidate Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required/Advanced degree preferred.
Experience with Quaker/Friends education.
Prior school leadership/management, and/or teaching experience.
Experience managing people in a complex nonprofit organization.
Knowledge of web-based systems for managing programs, tracking budgets, and communicating online with various audiences.
Experience managing the financial aspects of an organization.
Knowledge/experience engaging in marketing and development for an organization.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements are standard for senior management.

Work at a computer for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, arm, and hand motion.
Make public presentations to large and small groups.
Willingness to work weekends and evenings, as needed.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are asked to provide a resumé, cover letter, and a one to two-page educational philosophy statement to our Search Consultant Brooke Carroll at brooke@aciesstrategies.com no later than May 1, 2022.

Phoenix Friends Middle School Is An Equal Opportunity Employer