Brandeis Marin is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.
Read the full Opportunity Statement HERE.
Introduction
Brandeis Marin (Brandeis) is an independent, co-educational Jewish day school that serves K-8 students and their families in San Rafael, California. This community-oriented school reflects the diversity of the Marin Jewish population as well as the varied religious, cultural, and socio-economic tapestry of the Bay Area.
In 2015, after 37 years of being Brandeis Hillel Day School along with a sister school in San Francisco, the school separated to become Brandeis Marin, the first and only independent Jewish day school in Marin County. In the past decade, Brandeis has proved itself as a standalone and standout school with stellar academics, steeped in what matters and focused on building learners who will be productive citizens of our community and our world.
Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Head of School
Brandeis is financially stable with current enrollment at 140 and yet the school has the opportunity to grow to accommodate just over 200 students on campus. Brandeis has higher enrollment in their upper grades as parents begin to recognize the benefits of a Brandeis education versus surrounding public and private schools, but small school size continues to be a barrier for some families, especially those that want a larger social peer group. Despite a very generous financial aid program, high tuition can also be a hindrance. There is support from the board, senior leadership team, and families to grow enrollment and the new head will have an opportunity to help craft that vision for growth.
Brandeis is committed to serving a diverse set of learners with an exceptional academic experience. This commitment creates some unique challenges for the school which they have addressed through small class sizes, differentiated instruction and a project-based curriculum. The new head will need to address ways to continue to grow while meeting the needs of diverse learners.
The shared areas of the campus have recently gone through a major renovation including the building of a beautiful modern new synagogue facing outwards to the Northern California foothills and re-landscaping of the surrounding open spaces shared with the Brandeis school community. This is a major plus for the school, and now the interior of the Brandeis facilities needs to be updated next. The Brandeis board is currently considering a capital campaign that would largely be in place for the new head to implement. A leader who is excited by this project and has project management experience will be a plus. With three organizations on one campus, the HOS will participate in constructive negotiations around use-of-space to the betterment of all three organizations, which takes patience, compromise, and creativity. Lastly, while the campus creates the opportunity for an all-in-one-place approach to Jewish family life, there are further opportunities to grow engagement via these shared spaces. The three organizations had a notably strong collaboration around the Purim Carnival, and that could be a model for the next head for future productive family programs.
From its inception, the curriculum at Brandeis Marin has been intentionally spiraled and systematically approached from kindergarten through 8th grade. There are codified curriculum maps to serve as living documents that outline the trajectory of a Brandeis Marin student’s learning experience. The next head will collaborate with the Assistant Head of School to determine what curricular updates are warranted, examine differentiation within classes and ensure vertical alignment across all grades and subjects. Directing the right cadence and transparency in communications from administration and teachers to parents and within the school community will be part of the key relationship-building for the next Head of School.
Technology is also thoughtfully woven into the school culture and classes at Brandeis Marin.
The school prides itself on offering a quality, cutting edge technology program delivered by engaging instructors. Some parents have asked for more technology including coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence and the new head will need to collaborate with the school’s experienced Chief Information & Innovation Officer to evaluate the right balance of technology use and the technology infrastructure needs of the school.
Responsibilities
- Lead overall vision and drive strategic direction for the school’s next chapter
- Build trusting relationships with teachers, parents, administration, board, and students; be a visible and accessible presence
- Oversee, coach, mentor, and collaborate with the senior leadership team
- Solicit fundraising from individuals, foundations, and institutional partners and explore grant opportunities
- Support capital campaigns and endowment and cash reserves growth
- Preserve high level of security of the campus
- Partner closely with the board
- Identify and implement opportunities to update/modernize school building and systems
- Set, uphold, communicate, and adhere to budgets
- Partner with the Osher Marin JCC and Congregation Rodef Sholom leadership on our shared community campus
- Be a presence in the larger educational and Jewish landscape throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area; continue the robust collaboration with the 12 regional Jewish day schools
- Preserve the academic excellence of the school in an inclusive Jewish values-based environment, meeting the needs of different learning styles
- Oversee enrollment management with consideration for overall affordability
- Work with the Director of Finance on salary benchmarking and benefits
- Model respect for tradition while not marginalizing people who identify or think differently
Qualifications
Experience and Skills
- Advanced degree and at least ten years of experience in a senior administrative position in an education setting preferred
- Leadership experience building collaborative teams and inspiring engagement in the Jewish community
- Knowledge of the broader San Francisco Bay Area Jewish community and/or excitement to enhance/build relationships
- Passion for community building and ability to systematically increase enrollment while maintaining the school's character and academic standards. Admissions and enrollment management experience a plus
- A student-centered and proven leader who can inspire and empower others, make them feel safe, and hold them accountable; adept at conflict resolution, making difficult decisions and having tough conversations when needed
- Values and understands the diversity of Jewish culture, with the ability to connect across the spectrum
- Strong oral and written communications with experience projecting a clear vision
- Fundraising experience or interest and excitement to learn
- Experience managing budgets and a strong operations skill set to support growth
- Ability to work with and build trust and buy-in across stakeholder groups
Personal Characteristics
- Warm, approachable, and accessible
- Inspiring and knowledgeable, with a great sense of humor
- Collaborative and student-centered
- Honest, transparent, and respectful
- Strong Jewish identity and commitment to Jewish education
- Welcoming and open to non-Jewish faculty and families
- Openness to innovation and change in balance with tradition
- Relationship- and community-builder
- Organized, able to delegate, down to earth, and willing to do any job needed
- Diplomatic and non-judgmental; instills trust in stakeholders
- Commitment to Israel
Benefits and Compensation
The salary for this position aims to be competitive and commensurate with experience, falling within the range of $275,000–$350,000 per year. Brandeis Marin offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance and a matching 403(b) retirement plan.
Application Requirements and Search Process
DRG is conducting this search on behalf of Brandeis Marin. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:
- A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position
- A current resume
- A statement of leadership philosophy
- A second writing sample of your choice (newsletter, article, talk, parent email, etc.)
- A list of references (references will not be contacted until the finalist stage of the search and only with candidate permission)
Anticipated Search Calendar
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Semifinalist Interviews (on Zoom): April 2025
Finalist Visits: May 2025
Starting Date: July 1, 2026
This position description is based upon material provided by Brandeis Marin School, an equal-opportunity employer.
