Job Description

Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School is seeking a highly collaborative visionary leader for the position of Head of School. Kumabe HR, LLC, an executive search firm, is assisting Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School with this important search. All calls and inquiries should be made through the search firm. All applications will be held in confidence. For priority consideration, resumes must be submitted by April 28, 2025.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of School (HOS) for Wai‘alae Elementary Public Charter School will provide leadership consistent with the school mission and vision, promote academic achievement in a positive learning environment, and encourage positive school/community relations in a diverse urban setting. This is an opportunity for a progressive education leader to embrace a social constructivist approach in enhancing a high-quality charter school with a commitment to the daily education of the whole child and concomitant development of future stewards and passionate young leaders.

Reporting to the Wai‘alae Governing School Board (GSB), the HOS has a broad range of supervisory and programmatic responsibilities including but not limited to day-to-day operations of the school, staffing, policies and procedures, job assignments, scheduling, and related operational matters; and collaboration with faculty, staff, and community to expand and refine student-centered innovations and active research. The HOS will support active engagement in multiple forms of learning so that high quality programs flourish in ways that allow all students to thrive. The HOS is also expected to uphold all relevant State and Federal hiring laws, as well as State policies and practices required of all Hawaiʻi Department of Education charter and non-charter schools.

The HOS is an ex-officio member of the Governing School Board (GSB) and will implement GSB policies in consonance with the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Passion for the Mission: The HOS will be passionate about education and student success with a deep commitment to the mission, vision, and beliefs of the school. They will have knowledge of the trends in preschool/elementary education and early learning/child development. The HOS participates in special projects to further the mission of the school and performs other duties as assigned. 

Strategic Vision and Organizational Innovation: The HOS will be an outstanding leader who is able to set forth a strategic vision, gain the necessary buy-in, and lead an organization towards the fulfillment of that vision.  They will have proven experience setting priorities and leading schools to success and have a demonstrated commitment to operational effectiveness.  The HOS will be an innovative leader, willing to take calculated risks in pursuit of the school’s goals through demonstrated complex and collaborative problem-solving skills. They serve as the champion for implementing sustainable practices at Wai‘alae. 

Leadership Experience: The HOS will have experience leading a complex organization with multiple, diverse constituencies.  They will actively engage all stakeholder groups including students, faculty, staff, parents, the Governing School Board, and the community at large. They will have a transparent and inclusive leadership style that empowers and informs, leads by example, and encourages transparency, openness, and mutual respect. 

The leader will have a proven track record of directing and developing teachers and staff. The HOS is a seasoned educator with demonstrated experience implementing an integrated thematic curriculum framework and guiding faculty in the formulation of a learning assessment framework that is grounded in multiple forms of authentic student work.

Business Acumen: The HOS will have a keen business sense with budgetary administration and fiscal oversight of the school, and experience in funding opportunities (fundraising and grants). This leader must have demonstrated evidence of effective management of school facilities for creating and maintaining a safe and productive learning and working environment. This role must successfully manage school-related fiscal allocations, provider or union contracts, grant and fundraising monies, as well as provide accountability through timely and accurate documentation of all related fiscal and legal agreements. 

Communication and Relationship Building: The HOS will be a dynamic and effective communicator able to articulate the school’s direction and strategy, as well as build commitment to the mission and vision of the school.  They should demonstrate excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal and public relations skills with the ability to positively motivate faculty and staff.  The HOS has the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling language for multiple audiences. They will have a history of successful working relationships and collaborative arrangements across all stakeholder groups and partner organizations, such as but not limited to organized labor, Friends of Wai‘alae School, the Wai‘alae School Foundation, and the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission.  The HOS will actively participate in school events and functions, often outside of regular school hours, to support the efforts of the students, faculty, and staff. 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): The HOS will have experience working and living in a multicultural, multiracial environment, embracing the cultures prevalent in the state.  They will have an interest in and commitment to promoting an environment that brings justice to marginalized communities, promotes equity, values diversity, and embraces an inclusive culture in order to build a sense of belonging for all stakeholders in conjunction with the resolution forming the Racial Equity and Social Justice Task Force. The leader has considerable knowledge and depth of understanding of indigenous and/or Hawaiian cultural traditions, practices and beliefs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Master’s degree in Educational Administration or related field and or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience sufficient to perform the HOS role.

Experience:

• Three to five years of educational leadership experience.
• A thorough knowledge of and background in early learning/child development (theories and practices) with experience in preschool/elementary school.
• Demonstrated evidence of effective pedagogical practices and interventions, individual and program-based assessment of student learning, and faculty professional development.

Experience: 

• Five or more years of increasingly responsible experience as a leader in educational settings related to preschool and elementary schools.
• Charter school administration. Experience working with a charter authorizing body and teacher union.
• Working knowledge of Special Education in accordance with stipulated State and Federal policies and procedures. 
• Experience in fundraising and grant administration.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

Education: Doctoral or other advanced degree(s) with relevance to the HOS position.

Kumabe HR, LLC firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, creed, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected category pursuant to applicable federal and state law. KHR is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion