Posted: 20-Jan-26
Location: Englewood, New Jersey
Type: Full Time
Salary: $225 - $275K
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Who are we looking for?
The Upper School Principal, in partnership with the Head of School and the School’s Leadership Team, will serve as lead learner, role model, community builder, and relationship curator of Upper School (9-12), comprising grades 9 - 12, with approximately 520 students, and more than 70 faculty. The US Principal is expected to be a proven administrator or department leader with the necessary skills for working with a dynamic faculty, a diverse student population, and a dedicated parent community. This leader will be expected to lead and inspire a talented team of professionals and to partner with other leaders and stakeholders within the school to ensure that the strategic direction and vision of Upper School is consistent with and reflective of what is happening in the other two levels. The US Principal should also be a team player who has a warm collaborative nature, positive energy, sense of humor, and can be both a consensus builder and decisive decision maker. This person must understand the importance of accountability and consistency in leading people, managing programs, and creating initiatives. The ability and skill to prioritize and organize the work along with being self-motivated to complete the work is a must given the fast-paced and multi-faceted nature of Upper School.
The Upper School Principal oversees the daily operations of the division, including budgeting, staffing, and the overall cultural health of the community, while cultivating a faculty and staff environment where individuals feel seen, valued, and supported. This leader fosters a student experience grounded in growth, trust, and accountability, balancing inclusion with clear expectations and shared community norms. Working collaboratively across the School, especially with the Lower and Middle School Principals, the US Principal helps advance and uphold the value of a Dwight-Englewood education both internally and externally.
As the chief administrator of the Upper School, the Principal partners closely with faculty, department chairs, the Upper School administrative team, and Student Support Services to ensure alignment, coherence, and excellence in curriculum and programming, setting the tone for the division through high professional standards, integrity, and purpose-driven leadership.
This role might be for you if you are…
- A thought leader with the knowledge and expertise to work with all school constituencies and to do so with warmth, consistency, inclusiveness, and a sense of humor
- A strategic and focused leader who can maintain exceptional attention to detail while staying adaptable in high pressure situations
- A master communicator who can vividly and in multiple ways tell our story and make known the value proposition of a Dwight-Englewood educational experience and who can be a highly visible, approachable, and strategic leader who values the importance of positive, effective, appropriate, and accurate communication
- A community builder who is a highly skilled creative collaborator and has the ability and vision to lead, manage, supervise, support, and advance all matters related to the administration, faculty and staff, operation, budget, policies, procedures, facilities, and structures of the Upper School program with calm and grace
- An educational enthusiast and aficionado who can develop, maintain, and ensure that all policies and guidelines for faculty, staff, and students are in keeping with the mission and educational best practices
- A believer in the beauty that all types of diversity and perspectives bring to a community who can recruit top, diverse candidates for consideration for employment
- A leader with integrity and character who knows how to manage faculty, student, and family expectations in a manner that is honest, caring, and empathetic and can handle sensitive information with confidentiality, discretion, thoughtfulness, and diplomacy
- A highly skilled decision maker who can discern the need for individual action versus broad input
- A lifelong learner committed to continuous improvement and reflection both personally and professionally
- A team player who can work in cooperation with other school leaders to provide strategic leadership and to support and advance the strategic mission of the school
- A colleague who can find joy and fun in the work
What Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are we looking for…
- Strong organizational, collaborative, interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, and parents
- Commitment to working with a diverse student body in a diverse educational setting
- Ability to work within and contribute to a high performing professional team
- Demonstrated leadership skills in achieving educational excellence and developing conditions necessary for change and improvement
- Budgeting and financial management experience
- Significant proficiency with technology and a welcoming approach to AI
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
- Warmth, humor, energy, and compassion for adolescents and their caretakers
What Qualifications are Expected…
- Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum Development, Leadership or a related field is preferred but is not as important as the ability to do the job well.
- Have demonstrated success as an Upper School classroom teacher
- Have demonstrated success as an independent school administrator
- Knowledge of concepts and ideas found in best practices and research for Upper division education; effective instructional strategies for students of varied abilities; and organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of school programs, policies, and operational needs.
- While not a job qualification, our hope is that the US Principal will also use their considerable skills, expertise, and knowledge to positively influence the local and national educational landscape.
Terms of Employment…
- This is a 12 month administrative position.
- Professional days are considered work days and participation in planned activities is mandatory.
- Standard working hours are 8 am to 4 pm with attendance at weekly division/department meetings required. Required meetings will sometimes occur outside of typical working hours, including during evenings and weekends.
The salary range for this position is between $225,000 and $275,000 depending on experience. Dwight-Englewood offers a comprehensive benefits package including, health, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) plan, life insurance, tuition remission, and a generous time-off policy.
About the School…
Dwight-Englewood School (D-E) is a coeducational, independent college preparatory day school of approximately 1000 students, serving Preschool (age 3) through Grade 12. D-E is the product of three merged schools, the oldest of which was founded in 1889. The School is one of the most ethnically diverse in Bergen County, and students represent over 115 different zip codes in New Jersey and New York. Over $6 million of the Dwight-Englewood budget is devoted to financial assistance both in and out of the classroom. The excellence of a Dwight-Englewood education rests firmly upon the foundation of the faculty. The faculty are experienced, passionate, and as dedicated to ongoing learning as the students. Dwight-Englewood is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.
Dwight-Englewood School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or military veteran status. The diversity of our student body supports our commitment to employ a diverse faculty and staff. Educators from all backgrounds who bring knowledge and expertise in equity, diversity and multicultural education are especially encouraged to apply.
Interested?
If you embody the qualities, skills, experience, and expertise outlined above, then you might be a great fit to successfully lead this very important part of our school community starting no later than July 1, 2026. Applications will be reviewed thoughtfully as they are received, with care and intention, and candidates are encouraged to apply early, as the search will remain open until the right candidate is identified.
Materials for applying include a resumé/curriculum vitae, personal statement/cover letter, a list of three references with name, title, relationship, and contact information. You are also encouraged to include hyperlinks to applicable examples of your work or any other documents/artifacts from your experience that you think represent you and or tell your story in an authentic and real way. Applications will only be accepted via the link provided.