Assistant Upper School Director of Academics

The Pingry School; Basking Ridge (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans with employer matching

Tuition remission for employees' children

Access to wellness resources

Job summary

A prestigious K-12 independent school is looking for an Assistant Upper School Director of Academics in Basking Ridge. This role involves leading innovative academic programs, collaborating with faculty, and supporting student success across various grades. A minimum of five years of teaching experience and three years of leadership are required, along with strong communication skills and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The position offers an annual salary ranging from $100,000 to $140,000, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years teaching experience at the upper school level.
• At least 3 years of leadership experience in an educational environment.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development.

Responsibilities

• Advance a dynamic academic program aligned with best practices.
• Monitor and support student academic progress.
• Review and coordinate faculty schedules and class placements.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Curriculum development

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Tools

Google Suite

Google Classroom

Zoom

Job description

Assistant Upper School Director of Academics

Join to apply for the Assistant Upper School Director of Academics role at The Pingry School.

Base pay range

$100,000.00/yr - $140,000.00/yr

About Pingry

The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student‑written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary

The Pingry School seeks a creative, experienced, and forward‑thinking leader to guide and support academic innovation and instructional excellence within the Upper School division. Reporting to the Upper School Director, the Assistant Upper School Director for Academics will be responsible for advancing a dynamic academic program that reflects best practices in teaching, learning, and assessment. This 12‑month position is pivotal in ensuring alignment with Pingry’s academic framework and fostering collaboration among faculty, students, and families.

In this role, the Assistant Director will partner with the Middle School and Lower School academic teams, divisional leadership, and department chairs to ensure curriculum alignment, faculty development, and a seamless academic experience for students across all divisions. Collaboration will be a key element in driving innovation and cohesion in teaching and learning practices at Pingry. This Assistant Director will join a strong Upper School leadership team, actively contributing to the strategic vision and operational excellence of the division.

Responsibilities

Curriculum and Pedagogical Leadership

• Articulate and advance evidence‑based pedagogy and best practices for upper school students.
• Drive curriculum alignment and progression across grades 9‑12, and support the transition between 8‑9.
• Partner with the Upper School Learning Specialist and Upper School Academic Dean on developing and implementing differentiated instruction and innovative assessment strategies.
• Collaborate with and provide support to Upper School Department Chairs to design a cohesive academic program that honors the school's mission, the strategic plan, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Partner with the K‑12 Academics Team to align the Upper School curriculum with the broader school framework and spearhead curricular and programmatic initiatives.
• Collaborate on K‑12 initiatives, including DEIB and experiential education efforts.
• Co‑design and lead professional development aligned with divisional and K‑12 academic priorities in collaboration with the Director of Academics.

Academic Leadership and Student Support

• Work closely with the US Academic Dean to monitor and support students' academic progress, collaborating with faculty and families to address concerns.
• Review report cards and alert notices to identify trends and communicate effectively with stakeholders about academic outcomes.
• Partner with the Deans of Students to uphold academic integrity and foster intellectual engagement.
• Lead efforts to support transitions between Upper School and other divisions, ensuring continuity in the student experience.

Academic Program Coordination

• Partner with the Upper School Director and the Academic Dean to review faculty teaching schedules, class placements, and co‑cultural assignments.
• Partner with the Upper School Director and the Director of Academics to observe and support Upper School faculty in their growth.
• Oversee AP testing coordination to ensure effective administration and reporting.
• Coordinate the Spring Intensives program.
• Manage the new course proposal process.

Community Building and Family Engagement

• Partner with faculty to design and deliver a program that fosters inclusivity and intellectual curiosity.
• Communicate effectively with families regarding academics, including report cards, conferences, and other curricular communication.
• Build and strengthen connections among faculty, students, and parents to foster a cohesive and supportive community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least five years of teaching experience at the upper school level, and at least three years of leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and upper school pedagogy.
• Proven success in curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and student assessment.
• Excellent leadership and project management skills, with the ability to facilitate collaboration across grade levels and disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, committed to building an inclusive and equitable school community.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute initiatives effectively.
• Proficiency in using the Google Suite of applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.) and comfort incorporating technology into workflow, including tools like Google Classroom and Zoom.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and pillars of the Pingry School, including a commitment to DEIB and the requisite skills to work cross‑functionally with diverse constituency groups across the organization.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers.

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $140,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education.

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full‑time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

We will review resumes through January 5, 2025, with first‑round phone interviews beginning that week.

Seniority level: Mid‑senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Administrative and Education