HEAD OF SCHOOL. Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto Toronto, Canada

Transcription

1 BACKGROUND HEAD OF SCHOOL Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto Toronto, Canada For over 50 years, the Anne & Max Tanenbaum Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto (TanenbaumCHAT) has been a true co educational community high school. As North America s largest private high school and the Diaspora s largest Jewish community high school, TanenbaumCHAT is widely acknowledged as a unique educational leader among Jewish schools worldwide, serving approximately 1,300 full time students from all streams of Judaism. Outstandingly successful academics draw Jewish youth from across diverse Jewish traditions and cultural and economic streams. TanenbaumCHAT s unique atmosphere promotes excellence, belonging, as well as Jewish identity and a respect for and active understanding of all streams of Judaism, while providing the support, knowledge, and skills to help students explore and intensify their knowledge of and involvement with Judaism and the world around them. TanenbaumCHAT strives for excellence in both its Jewish and General Studies programs, combining a rich Jewish experience with excellent preparation for university or college. They are proud of their track record of 98% of graduates receiving acceptance to their university of choice. Many graduates defer university acceptance for a year, opting for a gap year in Israel. They enroll in a variety of one year programs there, such as yeshiva based learning, army, university, volunteering or travel. The transmission and appreciation of Jewish religious and cultural tradition, mitzvoth, and moral and ethical values of Judaism, as well as an understanding of Halacha are achieved by the school s teaching of religion, history and culture, experiential activities such as Shabbatonim, Bible Contest, and Moot Beit Din, musical and artistic creativity, and a host of other curricular and extracurricular programs. TanenbaumCHAT is committed to the use and understanding of the Hebrew language, to Zionism and identification with the State of Israel, encourages involvement in Jewish communal life and promotes a universal sense of social concern and social conscience. TanenbaumCHAT has 225 full and part time employees, most of whom belong to one of the school s two unions, and others who are non unionized. The school operates on two parallel campuses in the Greater Toronto Area the Wallenberg Campus (for students who live south of Steeles Avenue) and the Kimel Family Education Centre (for students living north of Steeles Avenue). Both have a full site based administration headed by a campus principal, and are guided by a common ethos, educational standard and philosophy. Toronto is home to one of the most diverse and vibrant Jewish communities in the world. The Greater Toronto Area is the largest urban centre in Canada and known as one of North America s safest and most multicultural communities. It is home to 2.48 million people. The majority of Canadian Jews 180,000 live in the Greater Toronto Area. 1

2 THE POSITION The Head of School of TanenbaumCHAT will be the Chief Executive, Administrative and Educational Officer of the school. Reporting to the school's Board of Directors, the Head of School will have ultimate responsibility for ensuring the articulation, implementation and advancement of TanenbaumCHAT s vision and mission of providing an outstanding secular and Jewish education to the school's students. As the professional leader, the Head of School will have primary responsibility for all operations of the two campus school, including supervision of the both teams of senior administration, and as well has direct oversight of the institutional advancement, community relations and financial operations. The leadership seeks a Head of School who will be both an institution builder and an educational leader. As Head of School, s/he will be expected both to advance the school's commitment to the highest Jewish and General Studies educational standards and to provide a dynamic learning environment for students and teachers. As an institution builder, the Head of School will lead efforts to define future planning and priorities, which will allow the school to continue to thrive, succeed and achieve new heights. The Head of School will be a passionate and decisive leader and educator with exemplary skills as a hands on administrator, communal leader, planner and faculty/staff mentor. The successful candidate will share the values of the school, and have the ability and willingness to both articulate this vision and oversee implementation of curriculum and programs that advance the school's mission. The Head of School will have significant responsibilities as both an education and visioning leader in the community. S/he will build a close relationship with the numerous other Jewish day schools in the Greater Toronto community many of whose students continue their education at TanenbaumCHAT. Working with the board of directors to strengthen the vision and strategy for TanenbaumCHAT is a primary responsibility for the Head of School. The Head of School will serve as TanenbaumCHAT s representative to the Toronto community and its various constituencies, as well as to UJA Federation and funders. Given TanenbaumCHAT s stature and reputation in Toronto and in the Jewish education communities, the Head of School will also serve as a leader and as an advocate for high school education throughout the world who welcomes and is respectful of students from all streams of Judaism and welcomes dialogue, understanding, respect and engagement between the diverse religious backgrounds of its students. RESPONSIBILITIES Executive Leadership & Organizational Management Articulate and implement the school's educational and operational vision and advance the school s mission. Work together with the President and the Board of Directors and the school's management team to identify and determine priorities, areas for improvement and opportunities for institutional growth. 2

3 Provide overall leadership and direction both educational and operational for the school and its faculty and staff. Be knowledgeable of current trends in education, educational administration and school management, and ensure that this information is shared with board members, faculty and staff as appropriate. In conjunction with the Principals of both campuses, supervise, evaluate and implement the School's educational curriculum and programs. Direct and implement all strategic, long range and tactical planning. Hire, supervise, evaluate and support the School's management team. Foster trust and maintain positive morale among all faculty and staff members. Ensure progressive professional development and continuing education for faculty and staff. Maintain and assure school accreditation and compliance with government regulations and standards. Advancement Direct and collaborate with the Director of Advancement on annual, capital and endowment fundraising strategies and planning. Play an active and supportive role in the implementation of these plans and strategies to meet them. Directly participate in fundraising activities including the cultivation and stewardship of donors and the solicitation of major gifts. Public and Community Relations Represent the school as a spokesperson and personification of the values of the school. Articulate the school s mission and values to the school s constituencies. Encourage, foster and maintain meaningful connections with all constituencies of the school community such as teachers, staff, administrators, parents, board members, students, donors, alumni, alumni parents, feeder schools and local community organizations. Represent TanenbaumCHAT and foster and maintain relationships in the Jewish independent school community in Toronto. Represent TanenbaumCHAT and cultivate and maintain relationships with the Jewish Federation of Toronto, local and international foundations and other funding agencies. Guide a community wide effort to address the concerns of tuition assistance and Jewish day school affordability. 3

4 Finance and Operations: Direct and collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer to ensure efficient fiscal management and stable financial operation of the school. Work with the Chief Financial Officer in the preparation of an annual budget. Ensure the timely provision of accurate financial reports to the Board of Directors. Provide analysis and projections for any Board level decisions and/or strategic planning that may have a financial impact on the school. Ensure the proper management of school facilities with emphasis on safety and security. QUALIFICATIONS Proven track record as an organizational leader and/or educational administrator. Demonstrated ability to manage a large and complex organization. Ability to communicate and articulate vision, mission, values and ideas in a charismatic, consensus building, persuasive manner to all constituencies, especially faculty, staff, board members, parents and donors. Ability to promote and foster educational excellence. Ability to see the big picture and maintain a strategic overview in addressing problems and planning solutions in a results oriented manner. Vision to develop and advocate for new, imaginative and unique solutions. Ability to set clear priorities from amongst a number of diverse tasks and needs, meeting predetermined schedules and laying out a timely course of action to address issues and problems. Ability to command respect and inspire confidence from staff, faculty and the student body. Open and collaborative management and leadership style. Comfortable with soliciting input from others while still being decisive and independent in the decision making process. Ability to delegate and transfer authority and responsibility for work to others. Strong supervisory and evaluation skills to monitor staff objectively and hold them accountable for expected results. Excellent people skills. Warm, honest and fair approach in dealing with others. Ability to interact and engage comfortably with a wide variety of key constituents including board members, parents, students, major donors and community leaders. Ability to maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure. Ability to approach work with sense of creative energy, enthusiasm and humor. Knowledge of, and personal commitment to, Jewish ideals, values, history, ritual and practice. Highly knowledgeable of, sensitive to and genuine respect for all streams of Judaism and openness to a variety of ritual and practice. Advanced degree in Education, Educational Administration, Judaic Studies, or another related field. 4

5 COMPENSATION: An attractive and highly competitive compensation package, commensurate with level of experience, is offered. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Dara Z. Klarfeld, Consultant Marlene Mlawski, Associate DRG, Inc. 130 East 40th Street New York, New York Tel: (212) Fax: (212) This position description is based upon material presented by TanenbaumCHAT. 5