Director of Belonging and Connection
12 days ago
Bryn Mawr
Job Description Director of Belonging and Connection The Shipley School Bryn Mawr, PA Our Mission The Shipley School, a Pre-Kindergarten through 12 coeducational day school, is committed to educational excellence and dedicated to developing in each student a love of learning and a compassionate participation in the world. Through a strong college preparatory curriculum in the humanities and sciences, the school encourages curiosity, creativity, and respect for intellectual effort. Shipley upholds and promotes moral integrity, a sense of personal achievement and worth, and concern for others at school and in the larger community. Our Motto Courage for the Deed; Grace for the Doing. Located on the Main Line in Bryn Mawr, PA, Shipley School is an independent, PK-12,co-educational day school that enrolls over 700 students drawn from more than 83 different zip codes. A talented group of colleagues are the strength of the school, along with a wonderful student body who engage in rigorous academics, community service programs, outstanding athletic opportunities, and best-in-class visual and performing arts. Our science-based approach is rooted in Positive Education and integrates DEI and pedagogy. Seven domains define strategies, skills, and abilities necessary for thriving. This is known as The Shipley Framework. Learn more about Shipley's Framework. Job Title: Director of Belonging and Connection Division/Department: PK-12 Reports To: Head of School Location: Bryn Mawr, PA Level/Grade: PK-12 Type of position/FLSA: Full-time Exempt POSITION SUMMARY: This full-time position, to begin July 2026, is a senior administrative position. The Director of Belonging and Connection will be a key member of Shipley's Leadership Team to enhance the student, colleague, and family experience at Shipley. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a decision is reached. Belonging and Connection are integral to Shipley's educational experience, as they enhance our students' knowledge, skills, and the empathic orientation required to serve and lead in an interconnected world. The Director of Belonging and Connection will provide strategic leadership and guidance for the programs and strategies that empower the entire school community to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, as described in both our Community Commitment and related reaffirmation. This position is responsible for the following: TEAM LEADERSHIP: • Lead Shipley's Belonging and Connection Committee throughout the school year as they provide guidance to and support for PK-12 programs, initiatives, and services related to diversity, equity, and belonging. The Director will manage and coach the Belonging and Connection Committee., • Assist, support, and advise the Central Administrative Team in evaluating, advancing, implementing, and optimizing programs, policies, practices, and procedures in the areas of curriculum, wellness, admission, hiring practices, communications, and other operational areas., • Serve on the Central Administrative Team, advocating for Belonging and Connection as vital components of student and colleague development by collecting and leveraging data to measure progress, identify needs, and inform strategic decisions., • Act as a resource to Shipley's Curriculum Team to evaluate and diversify PK-12 curricular offerings.STUDENT, COLLEAGUE, AND FAMILY SUPPORT:, • Serve as an accessible, visible, and effective resource to students and colleagues with regard to student belonging and connection matters., • Provide direct and indirect counsel and support to students and families within each school division on issues of identity development., • Advise and support Division Heads in student disciplinary matters and facilitate restorative practice circles, as well as monitoring and maintaining a reporting system of incidents., • May teach or co-teach a skills-based class (SEL Class) as well as serve as a resource for teachers when teaching cultural or other belonging and connection-related topics., • In coordination with the Divisional Belonging and Connection Coordinators, serve as a resource to all families in each division of the school and offer support in navigating school systems and accessing appropriate resources (e.g. language interpretation, orientation and welcome events, etc.)., • Empower the Belonging and Connection Committee to gather and act on concerns, questions and feedback about the student, faculty and staff experience at Shipley.PROGRAM PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION:, • With support from the Belonging and Connection Committee, create, develop, communicate, and implement a coherent, thoughtfully-aligned schedule of relevant programming (e.g., Guest Speakers, Multicultural Fest, Parent Coffees, Community Times, and Faculty Professional Development)., • Provide guidance, support, advocacy, and enhancement to all affinity and iterative groups in each division and all colleague groups aimed at furthering diversity and inclusiveness at the School., • The Director of Belonging and Connection will demonstrate proficiency in restorative practices and/or Responsive Classroom facets as a core approach to fostering an inclusive and relational school They will be responsible for guiding staff and students in the use of restorative strategies to address conflict, strengthen relationships, and promote a culture of accountability and empathy. The ideal candidate will also have experience implementing restorative frameworks at the schoolwide level and training others to use restorative practices effectively and consistently.STRATEGIC PLANNING:, • Support the Board and Head of School in implementing the School's strategic goals in support of belonging and connection., • Update existing programs and introduce new programs to create an inclusive culture amongst students, colleagues of all identities, abilities, and backgrounds., • Measure and analyze data about the student, colleague, and family experience and identify areas of progress, targets for improvement, and next steps to drive the attainment of belonging and connection and providing transparency.COMMUNITY GROWTH AND EDUCATION:, • Work with students, colleagues, and members of the Board of Trustees to increase understanding and application of cultural competence and to increase understanding and application of inclusive and anti-bias practices., • Design, lead, and support professional development opportunities for colleagues that strengthen inclusive classroom practices and promote equitable pedagogy., • Attend Community and Belonging-related workshops and events to keep abreast of best practices in the field and to deepen personal knowledge and capacity to lead.COLLABORATION:, • Attend regular and monthly meetings with various constituencies requiring input regarding belonging and connection and support on divisional programming, student leadership opportunities, and student needs and concerns (e.g. Division Heads, Assistant Division Directors, Dean of Students, Student Belonging and Connection Groups, Curricular Leaders, Student Support Services, etc.)., • Work closely with our Communications Team on community outreach and co-developing both proactive and responsive communications throughout the year., • Facilitate partnerships and attendance by members of the school community at key diversity and inclusion events and conferences.RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION:, • Provide counsel and support to Admissions and Hiring Committees, including participating and attending student admissions events and interviewing colleague applicants to enhance the recruitment and retention of students and colleagues from marginalized identities., • Develop and implement innovative strategies and structures to recruit, cultivate, attract, develop, and retain colleagues., • Bachelor's Degree required, • Master's Degree or higher preferred, • An action-oriented, self-starter who is solutions-focused and takes initiative, • Experience and training leading anti-bias equity initiatives in education organizations, • Strong leadership skills and success in working with and respecting conflicting needs of multiple stakeholders: students, colleagues, Board of Trustees, parents, and alumni, • Student-centered, • Global and innovative, • Ability to both model and maintain positive motivation and momentum even in challenging circumstances, • Proven success working flexibly as both an individual contributor and a collaborative team member, • Proven expertise in establishing, implementing, and communicating a vision and plan for Belonging and Connection, • Experience in strategic planning, programming, event coordination and execution, and budget management, • Experience in data gathering, analysis, and summarizing to share with stakeholders, • A commitment to staying abreast of best practices in inclusive and anti-bias practices, • Previous work in student advising strongly preferred, • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills, • Occasionally lift up to 30 lbs, • Generally works in standard office conditions and climate, • May work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time