Co-Director
Opening Statement
WECAN is going through a leadership transition in 2025-26, and the WECAN Board is seeking a new Co-Director. This person would work in partnership with Heather Church after Susan Howard’s retirement at the end of the 2024-25 school year. This position is responsible to the WECAN Board. Although the WECAN Office is located in Spring Valley, New York, WECAN Co-Directors work remotely.
Responsibilities shared by the Co-Directors
The Co-Directors share overall executive leadership responsibility for the activities of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America, as follows:
Core Programs and Activities
Communicate the purposes, work, and initiatives of WECAN to the Waldorf movement, related organizations, and the public, together with the Co-Director and staff.
Project and Program Development
Overall project and program development, including new and existing projects and research areas
Personnel and Staff
Hiring, supervision, review, and support of staff members
Finances, Fundraising, and Day-to-Day Operations
Overall responsibility for finances, fundraising, and day-to-day business of the association based on policies and resolutions of the board
Board Support
Support for the work of the WECAN Board in serving WECAN’s mission and activities, including participation in board meetings
Possible areas of specific responsibility of this Co-Director position
The specific responsibilities will be determined after the hiring process, in consultation with the Co-Director and approval of the Board.
● Oversee the preparation, publication, and distribution of WECAN Publications.
● Support the Membership Coordinator in coordinating and steering the WECAN Path to Membership, participate in the Membership Committee, make policy recommendations regarding dues, etc.
● Support the Teacher Education Coordinator in coordinating and steering the WECAN Path to Membership for training institutes in collaboration with the WECAN Teacher Education Committee and WECAN Membership Office.
● Participate with others in organizing the February conference, regional conferences, and other events.
● Supervise and coordinate public policy and outreach activity.
● Maintain regular communication with the Association of Waldorf Schools and the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education and foster collaboration between the three organizations.
● Collaborate with other related organizations as needed.
● Support working groups, special projects, and activities such as the Digital Media Group, Early Childhood Research Group, etc.
● Supervise the work of specific staff members.
● Undertake fundraising and grant writing for special projects and WECAN as a whole, with support from the Co-Director and WECAN Administrator
Qualifications
● Thorough familiarity with the philosophy and practice of Waldorf early childhood education
● Familiarity and experience with WECAN as an association
● Active study of and relationship with Anthroposophy
● Deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice with experience in this work
● Experience in an organizational leadership position involving finances, legal, and administrative responsibilities
● Ability to work well on one’s own and to collaborate with others
● Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
● Technical skill in organization, planning, and follow-through of various activities
● Ability to organize and facilitate meetings, including the ability to support action, task, and working groups
● Willing to learn and take on new tasks
● Sense of humor
● Ability to share tasks and inspire the initiative of others
● Enthusiasm for the work
● Skillful at engaging others and seeing who the helpers are – the ability to recognize the capacity of others.
Other Desirable Experience
● Experience as a Waldorf early childhood educator
● Experience in Waldorf early childhood teacher education, anthroposophical adult education, and/or Waldorf school administration
● Familiarity or experience with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
● Ability/willingness/interest to collaborate with other educational and non-profit organizations
● Experience with the international Waldorf early childhood movement.
● Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and procurement of funds.
● Engaged in the ways that Anthroposophy manifests in our time – realization & interest in the interconnectedness of the parts and the whole
Employment Details
Selection, Accountability, and Review:
The WECAN Board appoints the WECAN Co-Director. Once hired, the Co-Director is an at-will employee of WECAN; both WECAN and the individual have the right to end the employment.
WECAN Co-Directors are responsible and report to the WECAN Board. Evaluation is through peer review and self-evaluation. There is a review every three years
Work Schedule
Salary covers all hours, including those beyond a normal work schedule, that the work demands require, with the understanding that this person will fulfill the responsibilities at a half-position level, making every effort to coordinate work and meeting schedules for the WECAN position with those of other professional duties to avoid conflicts.
Work is year-round, with the understanding that most activity takes place during the school year – September through June. Summer vacation dates – generally four weeks- can be arranged in consultation with the Board and staff.
Compensation, Salary, and Benefits
The WECAN Co-Director position is a Leadership position at a half-salary level. The half-salary range is from $39,800 to $53,000; the exact salary is determined by the WECAN Board or Board-designated committee and reviewed regularly. An annual cost of living increase may be approved by the Board.
To Apply
We invite letters of interest from individuals who are enthusiastically committed to the development of Waldorf early childhood education and have experience in collaborative non-profit leadership. Experience in such areas as finance, outreach, fundraising, development, and communication is also important. We encourage individuals committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice-related work in Waldorf and other settings to apply.
In your letter, please include the following:
● a description of your interest in the WECAN Co-Director position.
● experiences you have had working with and facilitating collaborative leadership groups.
● your experience with fundraising, grant writing, finance, outreach, or development.
Please also attach your resume.
The deadline for applications is January 31st. Please send your letter and resume to amir@waldorfearlychildhood.org.
We look forward to hearing from you!
WECAN Board Search Committee
Anjum Mir
Gabriela Núñez Plata