Executive Director
Opening Statement
San Francisco Waldorf School is poised to chart a new and exciting path forward in a rapidly changing landscape. The school seeks an Executive Director who enthusiastically embraces and champions the school’s commitment to Waldorf education and shares its deep belief in the inherent goodness and potential of every human being. The successful candidate will bring a leadership approach distinguished by enthusiasm, resilience, curiosity, and confidence. They will also bring the skills and energy needed to manifest a compelling, sustainable vision for the future of San Francisco Waldorf School.
The Board of Trustees is conducting an international search to identify this leader and engaging in an inclusive process that invites feedback from the community
Please refer to the full position statement for more details regarding this search.
About
Distinctive Qualities of San Francisco Waldorf School:
- A deeply rooted, shared understanding of Waldorf education that reverently celebrates the essence of childhood
- Dedication to recognizing and nurturing each child’s unique gifts and boundless potential for human development
- A supportive, engaged community that values both individual diversity and collective shared values
- Unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and continued striving to deepen knowledge, awareness, reflection, and advocacy on issues of social justice and racial equality
- Exceptional faculty distinguished by pedagogical expertise, a profound understanding of child development, and genuine love for the children before them
- Intentionally crafted learning spaces that provide peaceful, warm, and nurturing spaces for student exploration
- A dynamic culture that honors tradition and seeks innovation, encouraging continuous self reflection and improvement
- Skilled cultivation of healthy social relationships through emphasis on empathy, compassion, kindness, and mutual respect
- A collaborative leadership model characterized by transparent, mission-driven partnerships among Board, Pedagogical Council, Stewardship Team and administrative leaders
Essential Job Duties
Challenges and Opportunities for the Next School Director:
- In partnership with the Board and pedagogical leaders, develop a comprehensive, sustainable financial strategy that harmonizes a commitment to Waldorf education, demographic trends, and fiscal realities in a highly competitive landscape
- Articulate the unique essence and transformative potential of Waldorf education at San Francisco Waldorf School, creating a compelling narrative that attracts and retains mission-aligned students, families, educators, and staff
- Intentionally nurture trust and connection among the capable, caring faculty and staff across multiple campuses, creating support for the next generation of teachers coming into the school
- Provide inspirational leadership that cultivates a shared strategic vision, igniting collective enthusiasm and commitment to the school’s future path
- Navigate the evolving educational landscape with confident, compassionate leadership, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and genuine passion for Waldorf education
- Deepen the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that these values are authentically woven into faculty recruitment, student enrollment, curriculum design, and institutional culture
- Continue to examine how the school meets the needs of today’s children in the modern world while grounding their educational experience in the enduring foundation of Waldorf education
- Model, manage, and foster a professional culture rooted in a shared commitment to Waldorf education, continued professional growth, collaboration, and respect that supports a healthy and inspiring work environment.
Qualifications
Desired Skills and Attributes of the New Leader:
- A flexible, open-minded, inquiring, and curious educator—taking a genuine interest in the work of the faculty and staff who form the heart of the school
- A servant leader who can prioritize, delegate, empower and inspire others, work in partnership, and hold people accountable in ways that support continued growth
- An excellent listener that skillfully facilitates healthy dialogue, holds space for productive dissent, values input, and takes action, while communicating with clarity, candor, and authenticity
- Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, where all feel valued and welcome
- A passionate advocate for the school in the larger community, skilled in building relationships within and beyond the SWFS community, generating excitement about the school’s mission and cultivating philanthropic investment in its future
- Proficient understanding of strategic financial sustainability and its key levers, budget development, facility management, student and faculty recruitment and retention, enrollment management and marketing strategies
- A strategic thinker capable of collaborative leadership, balancing visionary initiatives with thoughtful community engagement and change management
- Courageous and resilient, with a leadership presence of strength and grace that inspires trust and respect
- Innovative, creative, and forward thinking, while honoring a sense of tradition and core values
- Knowledgeable about or brings a deep curiosity to understand Waldorf pedagogy and governance philosophy
- Demonstrated success in leadership roles, particularly in navigating periods of transition and change, and the capacity to build bridges, find consensus, and make difficult decisions
San Francisco Waldorf School is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate based
on race, ethnicity, age, gender, or any protected class. We recognize that the range of ethnicities,
nationalities, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientation, learning differences,
and life experiences within our community enhance the school’s learning environment. We are
committed to fostering equity and inclusion.
Employment Details
Compensation and benefits are competitive for this role:
- Annual salary of $180,000-$250,000 (dependent on experience)
- Health, dental, and vision benefits
- Tuition remission
- Retirement benefits
To Apply
To Apply:
Please visit this site first, then application materials are to be sent via email to:
Tracy Bennett, Partner, Educators Collaborative
Email: tbennett@educatorscollaborative.com
Phone: 425-466-4748