Head of School - New York City

The Head of School will be the primary point of contact for families, provide leadership to faculty, and be the expert in resident on matters of child development and programming. The Head of School will oversee the day to day operations of the campus as well as implement an inquiry-based curriculum; this person will assume ultimate responsibility for the enrichment, safety and well-being of all children in our care. A true early childhood expert, the Head of School will be a self-motivated team player who leads by example, inspires collaboration, and fosters an inclusive community.

The Head of School will be responsible for:

Overall School Administration

• Leading school operations by developing and overseeing critical systems and processes related to staffing/scheduling, tracking enrollment, etc. as well as leveraging the support of the School Experience Coordinator
• Overseeing compliance with state and local regulatory agencies; ensure adherence to applicable health, safety and licensing requirements in partnership with campus-based Education Director
• Taking responsibility for P&L and reporting and working closely with Vivvi corporate team to monitor, report on, and support the financial and operational health of the school

Developing and Implementing Curriculum

• Ensuring the ongoing delivery of a developmentally appropriate curriculum that honors the Vivvi philosophy of quality education and care while adhering to guidelines
• Auditing existing program and implementing evidence-based improvements at regular intervals
• Serving as expert-in-residence and coach on matters of pedagogy and child development

Fostering a Strong Community

• Supporting in all aspects of relationship-building and enrollment with prospective families
• Delivering warm welcome and effective orientation of families new to the school
• Maintaining regular and proactive communication with families through both an “open door” policy and scheduled opportunities (e.g., parent coffees)
• Providing guidance to families regarding their child’s development and make recommendations for evaluation of student speech, behavior, physical and learning needs as necessary
• Identifying opportunities for parent education and community-building events; supporting in the planning and execution of such events

Team Leadership & Support

• Fostering and promoting Vivvi’s inclusive environment throughout all aspects of the school
• Providing mentorship to each faculty member, conducting regular performance evaluations with meaningful feedback, and establishing regular and meaningful professional development opportunities
• Playing an active role in the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new faculty members

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years in a similar role
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education; Master's degree preferred
• NYS Initial or Permanent Teaching Certification birth to 2 
• Deep expertise in emergent- or inquiry-based curricula and a progressive approach to early childhood education
• Knowledge of licensing requirements for early childhood programs and curriculum
• Administrative finance and budgeting expertise
• Exceptional track record of building positive relationships with families, children, and faculty and staff
• Excellent leadership skills including the ability to define goals and motivate staff towards success
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills including public speaking
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and the ability to communicate across difference
• Demonstrated competency with digital tools such as Google Suite, Brightwheel, etc.
• Flexibility to work long hours including occasional evening and weekend events
• Ability to perform physical activities as described:
  • Physical demands of this position include sitting and standing for extended periods of time. The employee may frequently move or lift children weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted. Frequent bending at the waist is required, as is kneeling, crouching, squatting, pushing and pulling. Employees must be able to reach overhead as well as above the shoulders and horizontally. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application, hiring process, or employment requirements should contact [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Vivvi is an equal opportunity employer and offers a generous benefits package including equity. Applicants of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.