Director of Community
Regular – Full Time
Internal/External Posting
Posting Date: April 29, 2024
Closing Date: May 5, 2024
Posting # 2024036
Salary
Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.This is a non – bargaining unit position.
All candidates must hold a valid B.C. TRB Teacher's Certificate and be legally able to work in Canada.
Summary
St. Margaret's School (SMS) is Western Canada's only girl-centered, independent day and boarding school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nations, Songhees Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girl-centered learning and leadership development, providing empowering education for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (boarding grades 7–12). St. Margaret's School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School offering the Diploma Program.
Reporting to and working closely with the Principal of Academics and Deputy Head of School, the Director of Community plays a key role in overseeing and leading community initiatives and wellness across JK-Grade 12, including the supervision of the Student Council teacher leaders, the Counsellors, the Graduation teacher leader, the Athletics Coordinator and the Outweek Coordinators. The Director of Community has a proven background of academic leadership who promotes a climate that celebrates the whole child, fosters student wellness and leadership and encourages each student to participate and contribute to school life through engaging in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities. The Director of Community is a charismatics leader who builds strong and positive relationships, has an eye for detail including exceptional skills in planning and organization, and can anticipate needs and identify potential challenges. The Director of Community embraces our school motto ‘service with love' and moves forward the mission, vision and values of the school. Working closely with the Educational Leadership Team, they ensure that each student receives a well-rounded school experience rooted in developing confidence and competence and a growth mindset. The Director of Community is open-minded, receptive to and welcoming of meaningful dialogue with students, staff and families and promotes a healthy partnership in the education of the whole child. Alongside the Director of Personalized Learning and Enrichment and the Vice Principals, the Director of Community acts as a Safer School Coordinator. The Director of Community regularly liaises with the Deputy Head of School, Director of Boarding, the Student Programs Coordinator, the Family Association, Homeroom Teachers, the External Programs Manager, Alumni Relations and the Risk Management Committee. The Director of Community is a positive role model to all members of the SMS community and assists in creating cohesion between all areas of the school.
Core Competencies
- Integrity & Trust
- Service Orientation
- Adaptability
- Innovation
- Resilience
- Professional Knowledge
- Communication & Collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
- Promote an environment of inclusion (DEI).
- Facilitate the student Equity in Motion group.
- Promote an environment of wellness.
- including oversight of the Homeroom Program
- Including liaising with Director of Boarding and Student Engagement re: Boarding Curriculum
- Act as the back-up Safer Schools Coordinator and participate on the Safety Team.
- Oversee the Student Leadership Program.
- Including liaising with Director of Boarding and Student Engagement re: Boarding Leadership Program
- Oversee Service Learning, including identifying opportunities and ensuring alignment with school vision/mission/values and annual goals.
- Take the lead in coordinating school assemblies.
- Take the lead in coordinating the Extracurricular Program, including coordinating with HR.
- Oversee the annual Outweek programs.
- Manage and act as the signatory re: approval of Field Trips, including:
- Coordinate/communicate with others as needed.
- Ensure follow-through is complete.
- Store requests in Google Drive.
- Share approved field trips with Administrative Assistant, who will add them to the calendar.
- Work with the Risk Management Committee as needed.
- Act as the signatory re: approval of School Events related to educational programs, and liaise with Facilities, IT, Finance, Sage or any other related area as appropriate.
- In collaboration with the External Relations Team, and with the support of the Vice Principals, Director of Curriculum, and Director of Personalized Learning and Enrichment, develop, communicate, coordinate and execute plans for Open Houses and information sessions.
- With collaboration from the Vice Principals and Deputy Head of School, create the plans for the end of year Area Celebrations and Graduation Ceremony. Take the lead, with the support of the Graduation teacher leader, to plan the graduation dinner dance, and all related activities.
- In consultation with the Chief Operating and Financial Officer, the Deputy Head of School and the Vice Principals, determine and manage the budget related to JK-12 Programs and activities, excluding the allocation of educational resources for which the Director of Curriculum is responsible.
- Take the lead in creating a structure & schedule for major trips and exchanges.
- Identify cross-grade learning and service opportunities/activities, including oversight of the Big/Little Sibling Program
- Act as the liaison for student requests re: letters of reference and recommendation.
- Liaise with the Deputy Head of School, Vice Principals, and Director of Curriculum to create content for the weekly update for faculty each Friday, and for the Google Classroom - distribute the Staff Weekly at the end of the day each Friday.
- Support re: Ministry/CAIS/IB accreditations and evaluations.
- Share with Marketing those school initiatives/activities that best promote our programs & activities.
- Work closely with the External Relations Team in the areas of retention and recruitment.
- Evaluate job performance of supervisees, in conjunction with other members of the Educational Leadership team.
- Support the Director of Curriculum in the planning of the Curriculum Evenings and related curriculum information sessions.
- Liaise with the Director of Curriculum, Director of Personalized Learning and Enrichment and Vice Principals
- With the support of the Administrative Assistant JK-12
- On behalf of the school, attend Board meetings and retreats as required.
- Participate on the Educational Leadership Team, including co-lead Faculty Meetings with Deputy Head.
- Identify topics/themes for discussion, information with related Q&A.
- Develop agenda.
- Ensure minutes are recorded and filed appropriately.
- Awareness and understanding of the social/emotional needs of girls, and research in how girls learn best.
- Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills in working with colleagues and parents.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Required Education & Experience
- Valid certification by the BC College of Teachers
- Master's degree in educational administration, Leadership, or related field
- Minimum of 5 years of exemplary classroom teaching experience
- 3+ years in a school leadership position
- IB training and experience
- Experience working in an all-girls environment.
- Experience working in an independent school.
- Experience working within a diverse team.
- Experience supporting students with diverse backgrounds and identities.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Embodies a growth mindset.
- A charismatic leader.
- Excellent interpersonal, public relations and teamwork skills.
- Strong oral, written, facilitation and presentation skills.
- Maintains confidentiality, professionalism and integrity with staff, parents and other community members.
- Demonstrates integrity.
- Initiative to set priorities and identify plans of action and follow through.
- Demonstrated resilience and able to sit in ambiguity.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Desire to form healthy partnerships with parents and families.
- A visionary, big picture thinker and strategic planner.
- Actively supports the vision, mission, and values of our school.
Valued Benefits
A career with St. Margaret's School will offer you the opportunity to be part of dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding educational environment. This position is located on the school campus, with access to rapid transit, on-site gym, and other amenities.
St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Employees needing employment support, technical aids, or accommodations, are encouraged to contact Human Resources [email protected].
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package, including a covering letter, curriculum vitae and professional references, through Bamboo HR, by May 5, 2024, to:
Questions email [email protected]