Executive Director

TheWaldorf School of Baltimore (WSB) is more than a school; it is a thriving village of teachers, parents, and children learning and growing together. Here, education is an art form, community is a way of life, and childhood is cherished as a sacred time of wonder and possibility. We are seeking awarm, visionary, and relationship-centered Executive Director to guide our next chapter with purpose, creativity, and heart. The ideal candidate will bring strategic insight and authentic warmth, leading the school in a mindful evolution that strengthens its position as one of the top private school experiences in the greater Baltimore area. If you are inspired by meaningful connection, purposeful leadership, and the joy of shaping a thriving community, we invite you to join us at the Waldorf School of Baltimore. About About the Waldorf School of Baltimore Founded in 1971, theWaldorf School of Baltimore is an independent, coeducational day school serving students from preschool through grade 8. Rooted in the 8 principles of Waldorf education and guided by the developmental needs of the child, WSB nurtures intellect, imagination, and spirit through an arts-integrated curriculum that balances rigorous academics with hands‑on, heart‑centered learning. With 180 to 200 students and 45 faculty and staff members, WSB is fully accredited byAIMS and theAssociation of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and is a full member ofWECAN. The school is recognized as both aU.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School and aMAEOE Certified Sustainable Green School. Our campus, nestled in a quiet, tree‑lined corner of North Baltimore, features gardens, outdoor classrooms—including Baltimore City’s only Forest Kindergarten—and direct access to wooded trails, creating a living landscape for learning and a welcoming space for community. Opportunity Overview The nextExecutive Director will join a mission‑driven community poised for thoughtful growth and renewal. Working closely with theBoard of Trustees, faculty, administrative team, and the greater Baltimore community, this leader will guide the school’s strategic direction, deepen engagement across constituencies, and cultivate a culture of joyful collaboration. The successful candidate will combineheart‑centered leadership withstrong relationship‑building and operational skills, ensuring the school’s vitality while elevating its visibility as one of Baltimore’s most inspiring independent school experiences. Key Responsibilities Leadership and Administration Oversee the school’s daily operations in partnership with administrative and faculty leadership. Partner with the Board of Trustees and the Collegium to uphold the mission and advance strategic goals. Foster transparent communication and a spirit of collaboration among governance bodies. Strategic Growth and Community Relations Lead efforts to evolve the school mindfully while strengthening its regional presence and reputation. Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, alumni, community partners, and foundations. Collaborate with the Development Office and Board to inspire a culture of giving and grow the school’s network of supporters. Represent WSB with warmth and professionalism within the greater Baltimore community. Finance and Operations Ensure the school’s fiscal health and sustainability through sound management and transparent communication. Collaborate with Finance and Building & Grounds Committees to manage resources responsibly. Ideal Candidate Qualities The next Executive Director will: Embody the school’s mission with warmth, curiosity, and joy. Lead with authority, authenticity, empathy, and a collaborative spirit. Bring a strategic, visionary approach to school leadership and community building. Be equally at ease engaging donors, parents, teachers, and children. Value storytelling, connection, and generosity as essential to school life. Be open to learning more about the philosophical underpinnings of Waldorf Education The Waldorf School of Baltimore in collaboration with our Search Committee has identified the key attributes we seek in our next Executive Director. We will consider and select from candidates who most closely have these traits, attributes and experience: Leadership We seek an approachable, warm, mission focused, visionary leader who loves working with children and collaboratively builds and compellingly communicates a vision for the Waldorf School of Baltimore. An energetic, externally focused individual with a high level of emotional intelligence, who will help the school become a more significant institution, that remains financially healthy and increases its service to our mission, and: Has great people skills, including being able to flex style; Comfortable and effective at engaging a wide range of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds and outlook – from someone visiting the school for the first time to students, parents and other stakeholders; Experience working with a board or commitment to and able to quickly become proficient in partnering with our board; Strength with conflict management, including understanding the benefit of constructive conflict, ability to maintain equanimity in the face of conflict, and ability to resolve areas of contention among individuals and groups and craft positive outcomes; Has an open style, but is also an effective decision‑maker and change agent; Is adaptable, persistent, curious and enthusiastic. Industry Knowledge (Education and non‑profit) Knowledge of and experience with primary education and non‑profit management: If not coming from a Waldorf background, open to and able to quickly pick up the theory and practice of the Waldorf methodology, and to become a champion of all aspects of the pedagogy; A high level of understanding of dynamics, issues and trends in education and schooling Proven experience in hands on school management; Transparency: Promoting open communication and processes to foster a sense of shared understanding and accountability. Communication Public and private interpersonal skills, including: Skilled communicator and facilitator at a group and individual level; Enjoys/is comfortable being in a public situation and being “the face” of the organization; Is an organized thinker, effective writer and speaker; Is personable, inspiring and respectful; Is an articulate, effective spokesperson for WSB and its mission. Fiscally responsible, with management level business skills and experience, including developing, communicating and executing budgets. Excellent financial grasp, including how to read and understand financial statements and make organizational adjustments as called for; Understanding of and commitment to financial integrity and financial transparency in the context of stewardship of WSB. Strategic focus/Planning Skills Powerful understanding and use of strategy in organizational life: Knowledgeable of dynamics affecting current and future environment of WSB and effective at maximizing the organization in response to these dynamics; Skill at prioritizing, and accomplished at sequencing change; Has understanding and makes use of networking with and benchmarking other organizations to increase WSB’s effectiveness. Problem Solving and Decision Making Expert decision‑maker who: Has the ability to prioritize and determine significance of a particular issue, understands who to include in the problem‑solving process, and knows what and how much information is needed; Is able to effectively analyze and use data in the decision‑making process, and makes decisions in a timely manner; Is good at follow‑through – clearly communicates decisions, designs and administers effective execution, with appropriate pre‑determined success measures and time‑posts; Demonstrates strength with process mapping and developing effective processes. Community Relationships Skillful at establishing and building relationships across the school and in the community as a whole: Develops and maintains powerful relationships with our parent community, including engaging with our PA; A record of community engagement and collaboration and of developing partnerships with individuals and organizations; The ability to continue to grow WSB’s presence in the region through developing appropriate relationships with the city, organizations and other community leaders; Understanding of and success with individual and foundation fundraising – comfortable with and able to represent WSB in the context of fundraising/resource building one on one and group presentations. Mission Orientation Our next Executive Director will understand and be highly committed to WSB’s mission and: Lives the mission and creates and maintains our workplace in line with our organizational values (including centering Anthroposophy – if not already an expert commits to and becomes an expert and mission spokesperson for Waldorf educational philosophy and practice; Has proven ability to articulate and explain WSB’s mission to staff and Board as well as external stakeholders and the public at large, stand behind it, and interpret its applications for others; Frequently refers to the mission and incorporates it into daily activities. The next leader will foster an environment where faculty, staff and Board actively contribute ideas, share skills, and work together toward common goals, leading to increased innovation, problem-solving, and organizational alignment. Key facets include adaptability, communication, trust, accountability, and the use of appropriate tools to ensure effective teamwork and project success. Shared Purpose: A clear, collective goal that everyone works toward to achieve success; Active Participation: Encouraging all employees and levels of management to contribute their opinions and ideas; Skill and Knowledge Sharing: Creating opportunities for individuals to learn from each other, enhancing collective knowledge and productivity; Trust and Respect: Building a foundation of trust and mutual respect, allowing for open sharing of thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment; Adaptability and Flexibility: Acknowledging that projects are dynamic and requiring a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances and new challenges; Accountability: Ensuring that individuals and teams are responsible for their contributions to the project and hold each other accountable for deliverables. Team Builder An organized, inclusive, results‑oriented manager with strong operational skills; Someone who: Is committed and effective leading a staff, including supervising, developing and mentoring; Has the mindset of an effective manager, including attention to detail; Has strong understanding of and skill with delegation, including trusting others abilities, setting time‑posts and accountabilities and follow through; Can multi‑task effectively across a broad range of areas, quickly shifting gears and prioritizing tasks across diverse areas and practices; Is committed to and has a record of effectively managing and developing diversity in staff and board. We recognize that each candidate brings a unique blend of experience, perspective, and passion to their work. While no applicant is expected to embody every qualification described here, we encourage you to apply if you are inspired by Waldorf education and feel called to contribute your talents to the growth and well‑being of our school community. For the right candidate, we are glad to provide training and support to help you succeed and continue growing in this role. Start Date: On or beforeJuly 2026Compensation Range: $140,000–$180,000 #J-18808-Ljbffr