
Head of School at Shining Hope For Communities
- Kenya
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Co-create and steward a compelling vision with SHOFCO, staff, families, and learners
- Translate vision into measurable goals across organizational domains
- Communicate and collaborate with the Governing Board, founders, and relevant SHOFCO team members, including creation of structures for regular reporting, meeting, etc.
- Oversee and manage growth of one grade per year until campus serves Prek-Grade 12 learners and families
- Uphold the school's mission in daily decisions, especially when challenging
- Use data and evidence of learning to drive schoolwide reflection
- Champion innovation while maintaining coherence and rigor
- Create norms and rhythms for team and school life
- Hold coherence across different parts of the school ecosystem
- Adapt based on feedback, knowing when to shift and when to stay the course
- Transition Sankoré from start-up to a self-sustaining institution
- Foster a joyful, inclusive, values-driven school culture
- Model learner agency, cultural responsiveness, and shared ownership
- Facilitate meaningful family engagement and partnership, including regular family workshops, events, and effective conflict management when necessary
- Build belonging and integration across our diverse families (and track their perceptions and feedback through surveys, regular meetings etc)
- Engage local and global community partners
- Represent the school publicly at events, with donors, at conferences, etc.
- Tell the story of the school-build a narrative that attracts, retains, and inspires all stakeholders
- Hire, develop, and support a high-performing team of Learning Guides, operational and administrative staff, and leaders
- Cultivate a culture of distributed leadership, trust, and psychological safety
- Model and protect work-life balance through reasonable expectations, schedules, and communication norms
- Design and implement systems for observation, feedback, coaching, evaluation, and growth aligned with Sankoré's values
- Listen regularly and act on staff feedback via surveys, 1:1s, etc
- Support staff through life transitions, offering flexibility when possible (e.g., parenting, illness, grief)
- Handle performance and difficult conversations with clarity and care
- Work with the Head of Operations to ensure smooth, safe, beautiful campus life
- Work with the Head of Inclusion to create sustainable center for inclusion, learning support, and counseling services
- Work with the Head of Learning and Innovation to ensure curriculum and pedagogy align with Sankoré learning vision and that learners meet competencies and character growth goals
- Be a visible presence for learners-lunch, recess, assemblies, performances
- Ensure student voice and agency are alive and growing
- Celebrate learning and growth publicly-recognition, exhibitions, showcases
- Set and enforce behavioral norms grounded in restorative practice
- Support wellbeing and child protection with clear policies and relational care
- Ensure accreditation, licensing, and compliance with Kenyan and international standards
- Collaborate with Head of Operations and School Director on budgeting, fundraising, and strategic planning and ensure school operates with excellence and within budget
- Steward resources wisely help shape and uphold the school budget
- Represent Sankoré to stakeholders, including government, donors, and peers
- Manage risk across safety, security, and liability
- 10+ years in education, with significant leadership (Head of School, Executive Director, etc.)
- Founded or significantly scaled a school or learning organization
- Experience leading senior leaders across academic, operations, and inclusion domains
- Familiar with progressive, inquiry-focused curricula (e.g. PYP, Reggio, Montessori, Waldorf, Kenyan Competency-Based Curriculum)
- Knowledge of Kenyan/international accreditation and regulatory requirements
- Strategic vision paired with operational discipline
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relational skills
- Exceptional emotional intelligence and cultural humility
- Courageous leadership, rooted in care and integrity
- Dedication to equity, inclusion, and decolonizing education
- Lifelong learner with a deep belief in the power of community
- Deep trust in and respect for children as people who are capable of carving out their own path of learning.
- The ability to see the best in each student/team/community member and bring that forth in them.
- The aptitude to embrace uncertainty and failure as learning opportunities and adapt and evolve.
- The highest degree of integrity and self-awareness and the humility to openly acknowledge your own mistakes.
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