ENGLISH & WORLD LITERATURE DEPARTMENT HEAD 

To begin August 2026

Overview

Spence seeks our next Head of English and World Literature to inspire and guide a dynamic Grade 5–12 program in writing and world literature, including a vibrant array of elective offerings. As a key academic leader, the Department Head cultivates a cohesive, forward-looking team—mentoring colleagues, championing professional growth, and steering strategic hiring—to advance a curriculum grounded in intellectual rigor, joyful scholarship, and the creative development of student voices. With a strategic lens and a commitment to teaching and learning, this leader helps shape a program that prepares students to read with care, to write with precision, to think with ambition, and to collaborate with curiosity and insight.

Responsibilities

  Curricular Leadership

• Oversee Grade 5-12 English & World Literature curriculum design and implementation  
• Ensure curriculum continuity within and across divisional programs
• Oversee curricular review, refinement and implementation

  Institutional Leadership

• Lead hiring for department faculty, in tandem with the administrative team
• Represent department to all constituents
• Serve on school-wide committees
• Represent the department at admissions and outreach events
• Manage department business and budget 

  Instructional Leadership

• Mentor colleagues, serving as an intellectual and teaching resource

• Monitor individual professional development and evaluations
• Oversee course sectioning and staffing 
• Plan and lead department meetings
• Serve as immediate supervisor to 10 department members

  Teaching 

• Teach 3 sections across Middle and/or Upper School English & World Literature
• Serve as advisor to students in Middle or Upper School

Qualifications

• Finds joy in working with children and in school life 
• Leads with energy, kindness and a sense of humor
• Demonstrates cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experience
• Has experience fostering dialogue across difference
• Has sustained teaching experience in Middle or High School
• Shows an appreciation for the craft of teaching, along with a passion for world literature and the art and craft of writing 
• Possesses successful departmental or equivalent school-leadership experience
• Has led development and implementation of innovative program design  
• Demonstrates ability to foster sustained collaboration and professional growth within a team
• Grounds leadership in research and awareness of national conversations about evolving curriculum and pedagogy, including AI
• Demonstrates skills in communications and interpersonal relations within and across multiple constituencies 
• Holds advanced degree or equivalent experience

About The Spence School

The Spence School, founded in 1892, is an independent school for girls and young women with an enrollment of 750 students in Grades K–12. Spence is committed to an equitable and inclusive program and a diverse faculty, staff and student body. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Connections working at The Spence School