Headwaters School, a Pre-K through grade 12 independent day school serving over 500 students across its three campuses in Austin, TX, is seeking a full-time Assistant to the Head of School for the 2025-2026 school year. Regular hours are Monday through Friday with occasional evening and weekend work. This position is for 40 hours per week and includes health benefits.

At Headwaters, our employees nurture a school culture that promotes a growth mindset, a collaborative spirit, a joyful environment, and the achievement of high expectations. Our faculty and staff ensure all members of our school community understand their role in advancing issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Headwaters School supports the professional growth of our school employees in order to contribute to their feelings of fulfillment, to provide a model of lifelong learning for our students, and to advance the strategic goals of the school.

Our employees are responsible for bringing our Purpose statement to life: to cultivate identity formation, foster empathy, and embrace diversity to bring more peace to the world. In addition, they guide our students to live authentically, think expansively, and create bravely. We invite our students, guides, staff, parents, and trustees to be Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers.

The Assistant to the Head of School is part of a highly visible and fast-paced Administrative team. The individual in this position plays a significant role in supporting the office of the Head of School. This position also works with the Senior Director for Finance & Advancement, the Academic Team, the Senior Leadership team, and the Board Secretary. The Assistant to the Head of School must be organized, service and detail-oriented, and have the ability to be flexible and multi-task in an ever-changing environment. It is essential for the Assistant to the Head of School to effectively interact with and serve a variety of constituents, including faculty, staff, students, volunteers, parents and caregivers, and board members. The Assistant to the Head of School reports directly to our Head of School.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the Head of School’s calendar and serve as the primary person for scheduling and prioritizing appointments. This will require collaboration with the Admissions Office, the Development Office, Academic Directors, and/or Campus Managers on the three campuses.

• Support the Head of School in monitoring and managing email and phone communications, helping to track follow-ups and ensure timely responses 

• Provide organizational and editorial support for the Head of School’s written communications, including monthly faculty and staff updates, the Current newsletter Ted Talk column (published approximately five times/year), and special project communications (e.g., strategic priorities and initiatives). Ensure messaging is clear, timely, and aligned with the school’s tone and priorities.

• Support the Headwaters Board of Trustees in collaboration with and with guidance from the Head of School. This includes preparation and set-up for board meetings; presence and note-taking at all board meetings and (when necessary) committee meetings.

• Support the HOS at evening and weekend events (i.e. Graduation ceremonies, Community Picnic, Board Meetings and all-school fundraising events)

• Support the Head of School for employee events, including managing a budget.

• When necessary, make travel arrangements for the Head of School—preparing itinerary, setting appointments, and assisting the Head of School in organizing travel files. 

• Perform other duties during the summer as assigned by the Head of School

Desired Qualities  

• Keen organizational skills and experience with digital organizing tools

• Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills

• Experience and comfort with Google Suite, including Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Drive, etc.

• Adaptability and resilience a must

• Maintains the highest level of integrity and discretion when managing confidential information, personnel matters, and strategic communications

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 2 or more years relevant experience in an educational setting or non-profit setting

This is a full-time, salaried, exempt position and compensation is competitive for the greater Austin area. The school offers a wide-range of benefits including generous paid time off, 100% paid medical insurance for an employee on our HSA/High Deductible plan, 401(k) employee retirement plan, on-going professional support and continuing education opportunities, and a unique working environment where you are able to share and receive ongoing feedback.

Interested applicants should go to the Headwaters School Employment website to apply, https://www.headwaters.org/page/about/employment or email their cover letter and resume to hr@headwaters.org.

Headwaters School welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local anti-discrimination law. The School’s equal employment opportunity practices extend to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, benefits, transfer, promotion, training, discipline, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. All Employees are responsible for complying with the School’s equal employment opportunity policy.

About Headwaters School

Headwaters School is an independent school in Austin, Texas serving students from early childhood through grade 12. Beginning with a Montessori foundation and progressing to the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme, we cultivate identity formation, foster empathy, and embrace diversity to bring more peace to the world.

Connections working at Headwaters School