Director of DEI

Reporting to the Head of School, Dr. Melinda Bihn, and working closely with the school-wide Leadership Team, the Director will be tasked with leading initiatives across four distinct divisions: Maternelle (early childhood), Lower School, Middle School, and High School. Maintaining a particular focus on student learning, programming, and experience, this role requires a sophisticated understanding of how diversity, equity, and belonging work manifests differently across cultures. The Director will build upon existing programs, including student-led initiatives like the Year of Action and leading the faculty DEI
committee, while developing new strategies and programming to support all grades, an international faculty, and a diverse parent community. Success in
this role requires proven experience in DEI work and the ability to translate these principles across cultural contexts and implement them in ways that resonate with and support all members of this global community.

The Director role is a full-time, 12-month position and a critical member of the Leadership Team who will interact with the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, the principals and their respective academic sections, as well as other school departments to foster equitable and inclusive
programming and services. Serving as both a strategic thought partner and hands-on practitioner, the Director’s key responsibilities include leading the Grades 3–12 student affinity group structure, facilitating professional development for faculty and staff, leading the Board DEI committee, and providing
counsel, as needed, to other departments. The Director will work collaboratively across constituencies to deepen programs and practices that honor the school’s international identity while building an even more inclusive community. This work requires particular sensitivity to International’s faculty, which includes veteran and new teachers from across the Bay Area, the U.S., and the world, necessitating ongoing education and support, while also maintaining momentum on strategic initiatives.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
The Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will lead strategic initiatives across all divisions of the school while centering students and the needs of an international community. They will partner with key constituencies (division heads, administration, faculty, staff, families, and the Board) to develop and
implement effective programming by prioritizing the following:
• Partner closely with the Head of School and the other members of the Leadership Team in the service of the school’s mission, values, and strategic plan
• Translate DEI principles into actionable daily practices, curricular choices, and materials that resonate across cultural contexts and support the school’s mission of developing global citizens
• Lead and evolve the Grades 3–12 student affinity group structure while supporting broader student led initiatives, ensuring that programming remains
student-centered and culturally responsive
• Identify and facilitate professional development that builds faculty and staff capacity to support DEI work across the community
• Lead the Board DEI Committee and partner with leadership to ensure that strategic initiatives maintain momentum while remaining sensitive to
community needs and perspectives
• Lead DEI programming within and across the four divisions (Maternelle, Lower School, Middle School, and High School) to ensure age appropriate and culturally responsive approaches to DEI work throughout the school
• Provide leadership and support meaningful dialogue across constituencies to acknowledge and celebrate different cultural approaches to identity and belonging
• Interact with students — not just as a strategy setter, but as someone who is present, visible, and ingrained in the community

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• In partnership with the Head of School, provide mission- and values-based, strategic leadership in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Serve as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and, in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning and Section Principals, assess and support the development of an inclusive curriculum and pedagogy.
• Identify student programming needs and opportunities in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and collaborate across constituencies and with section (division) teams to design and implement age-appropriate programming and learning experiences for students across the school.
• Lead DEI programming for students in the sections (divisions), including Year of Action in the High School as well as programming in the Middle and Lower Schools.
• Work with the Maternelle DEI coordinator to provide developmentally appropriate programming in the Pre-School.
• Support and develop student leadership in the areas of identity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Coordinate the affinity group program for students, faculty and staff, and parents, including developing affinity group curriculum and programming and supporting affinity group student and faculty leaders.
• With the CFO/COO, administer The International School of San Francisco School Succeed program to ensure students’ full participation in school life.
• With the Assistant Head of School and the Instructional Leadership Team, facilitate the DEI learning and practice of the faculty and staff.
• Lead the faculty DEI committee in supporting faculty learning and practice in DEI.
• With the Leadership Team, support robust professional development in DEI to meet the learning needs of faculty and staff, including fostering participation in external opportunities and creating and facilitating discussions, workshops, and other internal programming.
• With Section Principals and teams, provide Parent Association learning and engagement to enhance the school’s partnership with parents in creating an
inclusive learning environment.
• Support the outreach departments of the school (Admissions, Advancement, and Marketing and Communications) in realizing the school’s DEI goals.
• With the Head of School, staff the Board DEI committee and support the learning and practice of the Board of Trustees in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES:
A successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the range of approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in the worlds of independent and international schools. International experience and knowledge of French are assets, but not required; an appreciation of the School’s international community and a delight in the many ways it is diverse are essential. This individual must demonstrate the ability to work effectively across cultural Contexts, understanding that DEI work in an international school requires a nuanced approach that extends beyond traditional American frameworks. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable setting strategic vision and executing practical initiatives, with the ability to work independently while building strong collaborative relationships across constituencies.

The next Director must be a skilled communicator and relationship builder who can navigate multiple perspectives with diplomacy and grace. They will need to demonstrate the patience and pedagogical understanding required to support ongoing faculty education while maintaining momentum on strategic initiatives. Most important, they must bring a joyful and inclusive approach to this work, understanding that in an international context and at The International School of San Francisco, diversity work can and should focus on the delight of difference.

Proven track record of successful DEI leadership
• Background in education, with strong understanding of K–12 child development, ideally including teaching experience
• International perspective or lived experience (Francophone experience a plus)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate courageous conversations and moderate dialogue across different perspectives
• Kind, compassionate, and able to give grace while still moving initiatives forward
• Strong strategic thinking combined with practical execution skills
• Ability to build trust and rapport with students across all age levels
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple constituencies
• Organizational capacity to manage complex initiatives across four sections (divisions)
• Aptitude for both independent leadership and effective partnership
• Understanding of and sensitivity to different cultural approaches to DEI work
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands while maintaining focus on student experience

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (master’s preferred)
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a K–8 or K–12 school, teaching and/or leading, is strongly preferred
• Understanding of multicultural education and inclusive practices and pedagogy
• Leadership experience as a DEI practitioner is an asset
• Experience presenting, facilitating, and leading groups of students, parents, faculty, and administrators
• Proficiency in French is an asset, but not required
• Must be authorized to work in the United States

Salary range $125,000-$160,000 DOE

Tagged as: High School, Middle School, Preschool