The Calhoun School, a progressive Pre-K through 12th grade institution in New York City, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and innovative systems thinker to serve as its next Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

The Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging will be a strategic partner, counselor, and thought leader who will help buttress and advance Calhoun’s long-standing vision of equity and inclusion work, holding students at the center.

By collaborating closely with key constituencies, the Dean will prioritize the following:

• Provide strategic leadership toward the development and implementation of a DEIB strategy that includes a multi-year roadmap, key priorities, goals and metrics, as well as roles and responsibilities and organizational alignment to drive accountability

• Partner with the Academic Dean to provide guidance to faculty on how to infuse DEIB into the curriculum, continuing to ensure that it is not an “add-on”; help to align DEIB work with students in a way that is purposeful and provides a continuous throughline from Lower School through Upper School

• In collaboration with academic administration and faculty, assess and support the development of diversity and inclusion programming that - both in content and delivery - engages students, their families, faculty, and staff

• Provide strategic thinking, guidance, and training for student affinity groups to further develop the program in Middle and Upper School

• Work with key stakeholder groups to bolster the idea that DEIB work is not the work of one, but of all; help build capacity throughout the school community to continue to implement and champion this work

• Provide high-level strategy on how to bring parents more fully into the school’s DEIB work through alignment on parent education and through support of parent affinity groups

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participate in recruitment efforts to attract, develop, motivate, and retain a diverse faculty and staff

• Develop and support a range of professional development experiences in diversity, equity, and belonging to meet the learning needs of faculty and staff

• Partner with the admissions team to help identify, recruit, and retain a diverse student body

• Create, support, and network with the various diversity and inclusion-related groups within the School’s internal and external communities

• In coordination with academic leaders, support and develop student diversity leadership

• Develop a messaging strategy and create engaging diversity-related content to share across channels with internal and external audiences

• Develop sustainable and lasting processes and structures for implementation, support, and growth of DEIB work

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Calhoun is seeking a collaborative Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging who can lead strategically and engage authentically with all members of the community. The ideal candidate will be a unifier and a skilled relationship builder with a proven ability to create trust across diverse constituencies while maintaining the fortitude to have difficult conversations when needed. As an engaged and accessible presence in the school, the Dean must understand and appreciate children at all developmental stages, from Lower School through Upper School, and be genuinely excited to support student passions and initiatives.

The successful candidate will be a systems thinker who can see both the big picture and the detailed steps needed for implementation. They should bring strong project management skills, follow-through, and the ability to respond nimbly to emerging needs while maintaining focus on long-term strategic priorities. The Dean must be someone who can build genuine partnerships, foster social-emotional safety for learning and growth, and adjust their approach based on the needs of different stakeholders. With high emotional intelligence and broad cultural competency, they will model the balance of holding high standards while extending grace, and demonstrate the ability to help community members navigate complex conversations about identity and belonging.

Additionally, the Dean will:

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal)

• Possess a broad view of diversity, equity, and belonging in all its many facets

• Be committed to progressive education and the core mission and values of the school

• Be skilled at networking with an ability to expand Calhoun’s reach beyond its campus and community

• Be able to learn as well as teach

• Have a strong sense of humor
 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY WORK

Calhoun is committed to addressing issues of social justice, diversity, equity, and anti-bias education in our curriculum and in our community. Employees must be willing learners and participants in supporting this work.

Calhoun is committed to recruiting, hiring and supporting a diverse staff and welcomes applicants of all gender, sexuality, religious, ethnic, racial and cultural identities. Calhoun does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of one’s actual or perceived race; color; religion; sex/gender (including gender identity); creed; sexual orientation; marital status; pregnancy; ethnicity; national origin; ancestry; age; disability.
 

Interested candidates should submit via https://airtable.com/app5nnDcwzFw7vJ1d/shrCKB3Dnk4hI2aee the following materials confidentially as a single PDF file:

• A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position

• A current résumé

• A statement of educational philosophy

• The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of five references, including at least two recent supervisors. References should speak to the applicant’s ability to be an effective educator and administrator, to work successfully with children, and to work collaboratively and collegially with adults (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission). Please indicate your relationship with each reference (i.e. supervisor, colleague, or direct report).

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree or equivalent work in a relevant field

• Demonstrated success in DEIB leadership, working collaboratively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, trustees, and other stakeholders to advance diversity and inclusion initiatives in education

• Demonstrated commitment to and engagement in work around identity, equity, diversity, and inclusion

• Commitment to progressive education and developmentally appropriate practice

• Experience in school administration is preferred • Experience with independent schools is preferred

• Some background in counseling or psychology is a bonus

About The Calhoun School

The Calhoun School is a leading progressive, independent, co-educational day school in Manhattan.

Connections working at The Calhoun School