Phillips Exeter Academy seeks an exceptional leader, visionary and strategist to lead our school into an exciting new chapter. 

With nearly 1,100 students drawn from 46 states, 42 countries and all backgrounds, Exeter is a vibrant community of intellectual inquiry, celebrating curiosity and cultivating potential. The Harkness pedagogy originated at our school and is a way of life at Exeter which extends far beyond the classroom. Our community is underpinned by our timeless mission to “Unite goodness and knowledge and inspire youth from every quarter to lead purposeful lives,” and by our deep commitment to academic excellence and developing young adults who will contribute meaningfully to our society. In 2022 we made the historic transition to become need-blind in our approach to admissions. 

Exeter has many strengths, but our success has never come from standing still. With the upcoming centenary of the Harkness gift in 2030 and the 250th anniversary of our founding in 2031, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build on our significant strengths and develop a compelling new vision and strategy for an ambitious future. 

The 17th Principal of Exeter will join a thriving community in one of the most rewarding posts in education. We are excited to engage with candidates who have a clear vision for educational excellence; the leadership skills to guide a large, complex, high performing organization to even greater success; the communication and relationship-building abilities to connect authentically across our community; and a deep commitment to the values that make Exeter extraordinary.

This is a remarkable opportunity for an outstanding leader to shape the next chapter of one of the world’s leading academic institutions. 

For further information on the role or to download the detailed position profile, including details of how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ quoting reference number 7725. The closing date for applications is 08:30am EDT on Friday, May 23rd, 2025.  

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About Phillips Exeter Academy

Phillips Exeter Academy, a co-educational residential school serving students in grades 9 through 12, and post-graduate level, was founded in 1781 by John Phillips. Exeter has a tradition of academic excellence, a distinguished faculty, and a long history of educating young people to find their place in the world. The 671-acre campus with academic and residential buildings, a 309,432 volume library, playing fields and green lawns is located in Exeter, a southern New Hampshire town which retains its 18th-century New England charm. The Academy enrolls more than 1000 students from around the world. Exeter offers a rich curriculum with over 400 courses taught by over 200 faculty in eighteen academic departments. The Academy employs approximately 495 staff who support the living, learning and teaching environment of a diverse student body. The Academy's longstanding commitment to excellence has made the school one of the finest in the country. To learn more about Phillips Exeter Academy, visit http://www.exeter.edu/. The Academy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, marital status, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, vet...eran status, national origin, genetic information, or physical or mental disabilities which do not prevent performance of essential job tasks. The Academy is committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff and students. Applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.

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Connections working at Phillips Exeter Academy