Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Posted: 05-Feb-26
Location: New York, New York
Type: Full Time
Categories:
The Nightingale-Bamford School is seeking a dynamic and visionary Department Chair to lead our K-12 Mathematics Department for the 2026-2027 school year. The Department Chair will be an accomplished educator who holds high standards for both teaching and learning, demonstrates a deep commitment to best practices in instruction, and fosters a strong, collaborative departmental culture. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of excellence in the classroom, a comprehensive understanding of Mathematics content and pedagogy, and experience building inclusive learning communities for students and teachers.
At Nightingale, Department Chairs serve an essential academic leadership role with responsibility for the development and stewardship of their department, its curriculum, and teaching staff. Reporting to the Assistant Head for Academic Affairs, Nightingale’s Department Chairs work together to oversee departmental alignment with the School’s mission and vision of academic excellence, the sequence and content of their curricula, the daily operation and oversight of their departments, and the support and well-being of their department members.
Chairs are responsible for leading ongoing conversations about curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment, ensuring excellence and coherence across Nightingale’s K-12 program, and supporting faculty growth through mentorship and feedback. They serve as key liaisons between faculty and school leadership, work to translate vision into practice, and share decision-making responsibility for a cohesive, forward-thinking, and evolving academic program.
To support this work, Department Chairs receive a one-course release (or equivalent to a 1/4-time role) and an $8,000 base stipend plus additional funding for departments with more than six members. Chairs are 10-month positions with the expectation of availability for up to two weeks over the summer to support hiring, new employees, departmental curriculum work, scheduling and course placement.
Responsibilities
(including but not limited to)
Curricular Leadership
- Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing refinement of a K-12 Mathematics curriculum
- Establish a departmental vision, curate K-12 departmental scope and sequence, and build long-range academic plans
- Regularly evaluate, update, and document departmental curriculum, including instructional materials and resources
- Remain current with relevant academic scholarship and in professional communities and organizations
- Provide expertise, guidance, and oversight for departmental curricular decisions
- Work closely with teaching teams to ensure clarity, coherence, and curricular alignment
- Make recommendations for new course offerings or changes in departmental course structures
- Oversee annual updates to Curriculum Guide to ensure accuracy of course descriptions
Faculty Support and Professional Development
- Ensure excellence in teaching across the K-12 department through regular coaching, feedback, and support
- Co-lead hiring processes with senior leadership
- Orient and support new department members
- Build and cultivate strong relationships and rapport within the department
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation through collaboration, observation, reflection, and the development of shared practices
- Provide mentorship and guidance in curriculum design, pedagogy, communication, and teaching and assessment practices
- Actively participate in the evaluation process for teachers on annual cycle
- Support faculty growth by encouraging, organizing, and offering opportunities for individual and departmental professional development
Department Management and Stewardship
- Organize, plan, and facilitate regular department meetings and workshops
- Manage faculty issues and concerns as they arise in collaboration with the appropriate Division Head/s
- Delegate responsibilities and assign tasks to support departmental goals
- Recommend teaching assignments for each academic year
- Ensure class coverage when department members are absent
- Recommend student placement levels in consultation with teaching teams
- Review all teacher-written comments for accuracy and clarity
- Prepare departmental budget requests and approve requisitions, professional development, and summer stipends
Departmental Representation
- Represent the department at Academic Affairs and in Department Chair meetings
- Speak on the department’s behalf at Open Houses, parent coffees, family presentations, etc.
- Serve as the department’s primary liaison to families, external audiences, and senior leadership
- Advocate for departmental needs
Teaching Responsibilities
Department Chairs are expected to teach three courses (or the equivalent of a 3/4-time role) in their respective department and to take on other responsibilities as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or a related field; Master’s degree or PhD preferred
- Five to ten years of experience teaching Mathematics at the K-12 level
- Demonstrated excellence in classroom management and instructional practice
Personal and Professional Characteristics
- A strong alignment with the mission of The Nightingale-Bamford School
- A deep understanding of and love for the teaching of Mathematics and the ability to articulate a K-12 academic vision for the department
- Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences
- Excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, high integrity, and a strong work ethic
- A supportive, compassionate, and student-centered approach to teaching and leadership
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and a collaborative leadership style
- Superb oral and written communication skills
- High initiative and a proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- A sense of humor and an appreciation of this trait in others
Salary Range
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual salary range for this position is $85,000–$135,000. When extending an offer, Nightingale considers factors including (but not limited to) the scope of the role, the candidate’s experience and education, key skills, internal equity, and market considerations.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and resume online at https://www.nightingale.org/careers.
ABOUT THE NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL
Founded by two bold, visionary educators in 1920, The Nightingale-Bamford School’s mission is to inspire girls to go beyond barriers. Tied to this mission is a broader vision of students who are joyful learners who have the intellectual depth and courage to be critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and agents of their own lives. Nightingale educates girls’ minds and hearts and, in so doing, infuses their lives with meaningful relationships, teaching them to value difference as a means of growth and empowering them to question the status quo with confidence, empathy, resilience, and reason. Nightingale is deeply committed to cultivating a community rooted in principals of belonging and inclusion, the foundations of excellent teaching and learning. We expect all community members to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in this work.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of the School to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School’s employment practices and decisions adhere to the principles of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.
The School does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law, including, but not limited to, with respect to recruiting, interviewing, hiring, staffing, training, promotions, compensation practices, employee benefits, school-administered programs, discipline, and termination of employment. The School maintains zero tolerance for violations of this policy and expects all employees to abide by and support this policy without reservation.