High School Director

AWSNA: Assoc. of Waldorf Schools of N. America; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Tuition remission

Six weeks paid vacation

On-site work

Job summary

San Francisco Waldorf School seeks a High School Director to lead the High School operations, collaborate with faculty, staff, and parents, and report to the Executive Director. The HSD chairs the High School Steering Committee, guides curriculum initiatives, and represents the school to the community.

The role includes faculty hiring/evaluation, budget oversight, equity work, and occasional teaching while maintaining strong communication with all stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Significant experience in teaching and/or administration in a Waldorf school.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Restorative Practice and facilitation skills.
• Strong communication skills in both speaking and writing.
• Experience working with adolescents.
• Strong facility with digital communication tools.
• Project management skills.
• Understanding of and ability to manage school budgeting and personnel.
• Understanding of and appreciation for collaborative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide faculty/pedagogical leadership and oversight; supervise staff and teaching assignments.
• Lead curriculum development and program initiative processes.
• Chair the High School Steering Committee and meetings.
• Oversee budget, operations, and policies for the High School.
• Represent the High School to parents, students, and the community.
• Support student experience and restorative practices.
• Teach approximately two blocks in their area of specialty.
• Collaborate with Executive Director and other leaders on school-wide planning.

Skills

Leadership

Restorative Practice

Communication

Project management

Digital communication tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Administrative software

Job description

Opening Statement
The San Francisco Waldorf School High School Director (HSD) leads and oversees all High School operations, and collaborates with High School faculty, staff and parents/guardians. This position reports to and works closely with the Executive Director.
The HSD leads the High School Steering Committee and High School staff, ensuring collaboration among all High School stakeholders. The HSD is responsible for the overall student experience and works with faculty and staff to create the program and the culture. This individual publicly represents the High School, promoting the school's mission and fostering strong community relations.

Essential Job Duties

The High School Director's essential responsibilities fall into the following areas

• Faculty/pedagogical leadership and support; administrative oversight; student experience; parent/guardian/community relations; and some teaching in area of expertise.

Faculty/Pedagogical Leadership and Support

• Responsible for all faculty hiring, evaluation, retention and professional development, including performance improvement plans, with assistance and input from HSSC and others
• Leads curriculum development and program initiative processes through implementation
• Establishes the HSSC membership, sets agendas and chairs the meetings
• Is responsible for ensuring faculty members uphold day-to-day employment responsibilities consistent with school policies and agreements
• Manages teaching assignments, class schedules and substitution
• Oversees DEI Committees, processes, the anti-bias policy and incident reporting, works through issues using restorative practices
• Supports teachers and parents through challenging circumstances
• Shares faculty teaching responsibility by teaching approximately two blocks in their area of specialty

Administrative Oversight

• Responsible for and manages the overall High School budget (in collaboration with individual High School budget managers and Director of Finance)
• Manages High School crisis and emergency situations
• Oversees all daily High School operations including special programs and educational support
• Supervises the High School Administrative Coordinator, Registrar, College Counselor, Librarian, Counselor and Educational Support Coordinator
• Supports the High School Admission Office with enrollment, outreach and retention efforts
• Responsible for reviewing and updating High School policies, procedures and handbooks
• Approval of field trips and overnight trips in collaboration with the Director of Finance to determine licensing and insurance of contracted outfitters and travel providers

Parent-Guardian/Community Relations

• Is the "face" of the High School, representing and promoting the best of Waldorf education and the school's mission, to parents/guardians, students, and community
• Develops and coordinates general communication with parents/guardians and students in conjunction with faculty and the High School Administrative Coordinator
• Hears and responds to individual parent/guardian concerns, facilitating faculty and staff responses as appropriate and in a timely manner
• Works with the Parent Council and the Parent Diversity Committee to facilitate parent involvement, including parent education opportunities and other parent/guardian initiatives

Student Experience

• Manages the processes and communicates with students and parents about behavioral and other issues related to student participation, and health
• Facilitates meetings between students or students and faculty as needed for restorative conversations
• Documents student discipline, records and responds to racial bias incidents
• Reviews and approves all TLCs (Teacher Letter of Concern) and narrative reports
• Develops student enrichment opportunities like Student Council, NAIS SDLC or SFHWS SLC

Other Duties: Leadership and Collaboration

• Maintains awareness of the whole school and participates in leadership decision-making accordingly
• Provides written reports and presentations for Board meetings
• Collaborates with Executive Director and Grade School Director to plan all-school faculty and staff meetings
• Consults with Pedagogical Council
• Attends evening and weekend meetings and events as needed

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• Significant experience in teaching and/or administration in a Waldorf school
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Restorative Practice and facilitation skills
• Strong communication skills in both speaking and writing
• Experience working with adolescents
• Strong facility with digital communication tools
• Project management skills
• Understanding of and ability to manage school budgeting and personnel
• Understanding of and appreciation for collaborative leadership

Physical Requirements And Work Environment

• Be able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including heat, rain, and cold
• Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours
• This position is based in San Francisco and requires on-site presence during standard business hours

Benefits And Compensation

This is a 1.0 FTE, full-time, exempt staff position with full benefits including medical, dental, flexible spending plans, retirement plan (employer contributions after one year of employment), and tuition remission for eligible dependents in our Preschool - Grade 12 program (after one year, for up to two eligible dependents, staff fees apply). Six weeks of paid vacation during the calendar year (administrative rate). The full annual salary range is $90K - $110K, depending on training and experience. Salaries are paid on a 12-month schedule.

FLSA Classification

Admin Staff; Exempt from overtime

Hired by and reports to:

Executive Director

Evaluated by:

Executive Director

Date Modified:

May 2026

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 orientations, learning differences, and life experiences within our community enhance the school's learning environment, and we are committed to fostering equity and inclusion.