Career Center

Sussex School seeks a Head of School to begin July 1, 2024. The Head of School is responsible for the school’s operation and financial health and for maintaining its positive, community-focused culture. The Head of School works collaboratively to further the mission, the educational philosophy, and the policies set forth by the Board of Directors.  

About Us

Founded in 1971, Sussex School is a K–8 independent school located in Missoula, Montana providing progressive education with emphasis on a challenging curriculum, the arts, and the outdoors. Our education is student-centered and responsive to the whole child. We amplify student voice and participation, honor natural curiosity, and respect childhood. The Sussex curriculum is academically challenging, and teachers strive for each student to reach a deep understanding of the material. Knowledge and skills are embedded within interdisciplinary problems, projects, and questions. Inquiry and project-based teaching strategies allow teachers to guide students through content, providing authentic purposes for concept and skill acquisition. Core concepts and enduring understandings are developed from grade to grade, and students have a voice in the development of classroom units and projects. Our values of critical thinking, courage, citizenship, and creativity are embedded within the curriculum. Sussex focuses on the development of the whole child. Social/emotional education and relationship-based teaching and discipline are valued equally with the academic curriculum to create a supportive, kind, and inclusive community. Sussex School is a candidate member of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). 

The Opportunity

The Board of Directors seeks a dynamic and innovative leader, committed to the preservation of our school’s unique culture. The Head of School will be a part of a strong community collaboration of students, staff, and parents and will further the mission of our school and extend our outreach into the larger community. The new Head will inherit a talented and collaborative administrative and teaching staff; dedicated board of directors; a sound and balanced budget; and a newly-adopted five-year strategic plan for the school. We seek a leader with demonstrated success in innovative program development, fundraising, community-building and networking, and with strong skills in communications and management.  For more information about Sussex School’s Five-Year Strategic Plan, please click here. 

Click here for a detailed Sussex School Head of School Profile that includes desired qualities and the Head of School job description.  

Compensation
This is a contract, full-time, benefits-eligible, salaried position. This position offers a competitive salary range between $90,000 and $135,000 annually, based on qualifications and prior experience. Our robust benefits package includes health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 403(b) retirement plan. More details are available upon request. 

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials in a single merged document to boardpresident@sussexschool.org by September 30, 2023.

• Letter of Interest addressed to the Sussex Transition Committee
• Current résumé
• Statement of Progressive Educational Leadership
• A list of five or more professional references with contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses)
• Up to three letters of reference (optional)

Please email boardpresident@sussexschool.org with any additional questions or to submit application materials.

Sussex School is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Sussex School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other factor protected by law. Sussex School is committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to disability, please contact us at boardpresident@sussexschool.org. 

Ideal Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in any relevant field (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Five+ years experience working in Education or an independent school setting (progressive education preferred).
• Demonstrated successful leadership and people-management experience, including the ability to attract, recruit, hire, performance manage, train, and lead a professional staff. Experience providing professional development and mentoring. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through multiple channels.
• Experience with nonprofit financial management, including budgeting, fundraising, and financial reporting.
• Strong organizational, operational, and interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible and solve problems creatively and reflectively.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact directly with a variety of stakeholders—students, parents, and community members. 
• Proven business-growth experience through growing student enrollment or other meaningful business development. 

About Sussex School

ABOUT SUSSEX SCHOOL: Sussex is a vibrant kindergarten through eighth grade independent school in Missoula, MT that focuses on the academic, social, and emotional growth of each student through progressive education, small classes, and a nurturing environment. It is a parent cooperative school in which its approximately 125 students love to learn and its teachers love to teach. ABOUT MISSOULA, MT: Missoula is located in beautiful western Montana. Missoula is a friendly and active community, rich in the arts, and home to the University of Montana. Missoula offers many outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and skiing.

Connections working at Sussex School