The Director of Community Engagement & Belonging is a full-time, year-round position that provides strategic leadership and programmatic vision in support of Carlthorp’s mission of belonging, inclusivity, and community. Carlthorp believes a strong community is the heart of our incredible school experience, not just for students, but also for families, faculty and staff, Trustees, alumni, parents of alumni, and community members.
Ideal candidates will have a background in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work, preferably at an independent school, with demonstrated experience in strengthening representation through the admissions process, collaborating with faculty on developing age-appropriate K-6 curricular elements involving DEIB themes, and addressing social justice topics with care and sensitivity.
In tandem with the Head of School, the administration, and the faculty and staff, the Director of Community Engagement & Belonging will work closely with all school constituents to assess and meet the needs of Carlthorp School’s community to ensure that everyone is included and feels a sense of belonging at Carlthorp. The Director will have a highly visible presence in the community, fostering connections across constituencies and fortifying the school’s DEIB and belonging efforts.
With strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to building trust in the community by demonstrating integrity, the Director of Community Engagement & Belonging will exemplify the values expressed through Carlthorp’s Code of Conduct, including kindness, respect, honesty, and personal responsibility.
While this is an inaugural position, the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging has been a steadfast endeavor at Carlthorp with this position building on our current efforts to embrace every department and classroom with a holistic view of community engagement and belonging for every member of our community. The Director will work in partnership with the senior leadership team, reporting to the Head of School, to shape and sustain a welcoming atmosphere and a truly inclusive community that is respectful and affirming of all its members.
Essential areas of focus:
Strategy, Vision, and Leadership
Curriculum and Instruction
Student and Family Experience, Support and Engagement
Faculty and Staff Professional Development, Retention and Recruitment
Duties/responsibilities (including but not limited to):
Collaborate with the Head of School and administrative leadership team to determine goals and initiatives to support Carlthorp’s work in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Design and implement programming to support the school’s community goals of inclusion and belonging.
Attend daily Flag Line morning assemblies to make all students and families feel welcome.
Work with the Director of Advancement and other administrators to ensure the school is meeting the needs of room parents, new families, committee members, mentors, and other constituents as needed.
Monitor and analyze parent volunteerism and provide targeted support to maximize school impact and a sense of connection for all families.
Oversee the budget and planning for parent- and family-initiated holiday and cultural celebrations (e.g. Día de Muertos, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Black History Month).
Assist with the onboarding of new employees to support faculty and staff success.
Serve as a resource for faculty and staff in the delivery of a culturally relevant curriculum.
Represent the school at both internal and external events, including Board and parent committee meetings, conferences, employment fairs, and admissions events.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
3+ years DEIB related experience, ideally in an independent school
Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate and engage in difficult conversations regarding race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age and other identity markers
An empathetic and collaborative leadership style; ability to work with broad constituencies in an approachable and diplomatic manner
High integrity, commitment to confidentiality, and the ability to handle sensitive information with a high degree of discretion
Ability to develop and sustain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Experience in conflict resolution and ability to manage discomfort and tension that may arise when addressing issues of race and other disparities with all school constituencies
A team builder who brings joy, kindness, maturity, and flexibility to the school environment, calling individuals into the work and supporting them in their development
A deep appreciation for the development of young people and a desire to engage with students as a part of their work
Enthusiasm for embracing the Carlthorp School model of mentoring, advising, and supporting students outside the classroom
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills as well as a proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels
Enthusiasm for professional development
Comfortable using technology and experience with Google Workspace for Education (preferred)
The anticipated salary range the school reasonably expects to pay candidates for this position is $85,000 - $115,000. The offer to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and years of experience, training, practical knowledge, and education.
Interested candidates should submit the following materials as a single PDF file:
A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position
A current résumé
A statement of educational philosophy
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references, including at least one recent supervisor. References should speak to the applicant’s ability to be an effective educator and administrator and to work collaboratively and collegially with adults, including trustees (references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission).