Jobs

St. Mark’s School is seeking an innovative, student-centered Academic Dean/Assistant Head of School to help reimagine and elevate the school’s academic vision during a transformative moment in its institutional history, supporting the purpose of their school — to prepare students for their futures.

Under the leadership of new Head of School Dr. Ivory Hills, St. Mark’s is poised to undertake a strategic reimagining of its academic programs. The incoming Academic Dean will play a critical role in guiding groups of adults to think strategically about how to best promote student learning in and out of the classroom. This involves carefully balancing institutional goals with personalized approaches, ensuring that the school can develop a fresh perspective on educational leadership. Guided by its longstanding motto “Age Quod Agis” — do and be your best — the school is actively challenging traditional boarding school models, seeking to create a dynamic learning environment that prepares students not just for college, but for meaningful leadership in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. This is a moment of exciting potential, with the school looking to infuse its time-honored educational approach with innovative practices that will define learning for the future.

Reporting directly to the Head of School and partnering closely with him, the Dean of Faculty, senior administration, and the faculty to develop a curriculum that is intentional, innovative, and responsive to students’ diverse learning needs, the incoming Academic Dean will play a pivotal role in shaping St. Mark’s academic identity. This position requires a strategic leader who understands that academic excellence extends far beyond traditional classroom boundaries—encompassing a practitioner mindset, global perspectives, team-based ethos, and a commitment to developing students’ analytical and creative capabilities. The successful candidate will be tasked with advancing the school’s holistic educational objectives, which challenge students to think critically, communicate skillfully, collaborate effectively, and cultivate deep knowledge of themselves and the world around them.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

The Academic Dean at St. Mark’s is expected to drive critical academic improvements and strategic initiatives that enhance the school’s educational approach and student experience by prioritizing the following:

• Partner with the Dean of Faculty and lead the Academic Council in reviewing and aligning the school’s curriculum, ensuring a cohesive scope and sequence that optimizes student learning. Thoughtfully evaluate and evolve academic programs to better serve St. Mark’s diverse student body.
• Drive comprehensive academic innovation that promotes inclusion, viewpoint diversity, and collaborative teaching approaches.
• Reimagine and integrate academic programs more holistically into the core curriculum.
• Develop and implement consistent, transparent academic systems—such as grading, scheduling, and performance evaluation—that foster a collaborative, student-centered teaching approach.
• Work strategically with the Dean of Faculty to align academic objectives and support faculty professional growth.
• Serve as the primary academic ambassador, representing the academic program to various stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Office of the Academic Dean

• Generally oversee and manage all academic and scholarly learning at the school

» Oversee a system of Academic Discipline that encourages students to conduct themselves with high integrity in service of their own learning and development

» Be the primary representative and ambassador of the Academic Program to a variety of stakeholders, including parents, students, alumni, Trustees, and prospective families

» Oversee the general mechanics of an academic program, including, but not limited to: grades, comments, advisor letters, transcripts, scheduling/course enrollment, and the daily schedule

» Collaborate with the Dean of Faculty to

º Assign faculty work-load in accordance with the school’s mission

º Develop and implement systems that foster a collaborative mindset of student-centered teaching

º Perform formative evaluations of faculty to identify areas for continued professional development

º Establish, monitor, and conclude Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) when necessary

º Identify and support areas of faculty skills development

» Manage and evaluate the work of the other personnel in the Office of the Academic Dean

» Prepare appropriate periodic reports for the Board of Trustees

• Additional Duties and Responsibilities

» Contribute to the core student-support function of the school by engaging in some combination of teaching, coaching, and/or advising

» Participate in the Administrator on Duty (AoD) rotation

• Other duties as assigned

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The Academic Dean must be an inspiring leader with a student-centered focus, capable of working seamlessly within a team and guiding others through thoughtful decision-making. In addition to managing academic systems and policies, the Academic Dean must exemplify exceptional leadership, communication, and people-management skills to elevate the school’s academic vision. They must balance tradition with forward-thinking innovation, ensuring a curriculum that prepares students for their future while honoring the unique opportunities of independent school education.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate:

• An ability to motivate and manage high quality faculty
• A broad understanding of high-impact educational practices
• A proven ability to lead purposeful change with innovation and fresh perspectives
• An innate belief in the promise of every student
• A commitment to fostering a student-centered approach to teaching, learning, and leading
• Skill at facilitating meetings and managing ambiguity or conflict
• Capacity to instill trust and cultivate psychological safety
• Proficiency in coordinating projects, managing systems, and meeting deadlines
• An ability to use data effectively in planning and decision-making
• Experience implementing consistent and transparent academic systems
• Recognition of the need to align programs with mission-driven goals and community needs
• Energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of urgency in tackling challenges
• Strong ethical foundation and the ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• A propensity for thoughtful and compassionate accountability

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Extensive experience working with students and leading or influencing other teachers
• Extensive administrative experience, particularly in academic environments
• Extensive experience managing complex systems
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and viewpoint diversity
• Demonstrated capacity to think strategically
• Demonstrated success in planning and implementing new initiatives that persist
• Experienced mentor with the capacity to cultivate new skill sets and mindsets of teachers

Interested candidates should submit via https://bit.ly/StMarks_AcademicDean_AppForm the following materials confidentially in one, single PDF file:

• A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position
• A current resume
• A statement of educational philosophy
• The names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of five references, including at least two recent supervisors. References should speak to the applicant’s ability to be an effective educator and administrator, to work successfully with children, and to work collaboratively and collegially with adults (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission). Please indicate your relationship with each reference (i.e. supervisor, colleague, or direct report). Please address any questions by email to julie@strategenius.org or by phone at 415-881-7105.