Head of School

Eastern Mennonite School•Harrisonburg, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Eastern Mennonite School (EMS), a K–12 learning community established in 1917, seeks a Head of School to serve as its chief administrator. Grounded in the Mennonite-Anabaptist expression of Christian faith, EMS is a conference ministry of the Virginia Mennonite Conference of Mennonite Church USA. Its mission is to invite students, with home and church, to faith in Jesus Christ, academic excellence, personal integrity, and compassionate service. Its vision is to embody the love of Jesus as a learning community where every student belongs, thrives, and joins God’s work in the world. The school values inclusive spaces, respect for each person’s voice and lived experience, meaningful dialogue, critical thinking, peace, equity, and justice. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Head of School provides strategic, spiritual, and organizational leadership in support of EMS’s mission, vision, and values. The role oversees academic programs, business affairs, advancement, and human resources, and works collaboratively with school leaders, faculty, staff, families, churches, and community partners to strengthen the school and cultivate a thriving, mission-centered learning community. This is a full-time, exempt, 12-month position with benefits, based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027. The annual salary range is $80,000–$100,000, commensurate with experience, credentials, and qualifications.

Requirements

Personal commitment to following Jesus, active involvement in an Anabaptist-affiliated faith community, and wholehearted support for Eastern Mennonite School’s mission.
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 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.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, policy development, governance, and institutional priorities; serve as its chief advisor and maintain effective communication between the Board and school community.
Model the school’s Christian values and foster collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of the school’s success.
Provide leadership, direction, and support to the administrative team.
Collaborate with the Director of Business Affairs on responsible financial management and long-term institutional sustainability.
Lead annual budgeting, financial planning, tuition recommendations, employee compensation, and benefits.
Support campus facilities and capital-improvement planning and a safe, welcoming learning environment.
Collaborate with the Director of Advancement on 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.
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.
Foster a healthy, collaborative, mission-centered workplace culture.
Oversee employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, and professional development.
Support school leaders in supervision, employee coaching, conflict resolution, and accountability.
Lead employee retention, compensation, benefits, employment policies, and risk management.
Ensure human resource practices support the school’s mission, strategic priorities, and applicable requirements.
Participate in and provide oversight for school events outside regular working hours.