Director of Community Engagement & Belonging
Position Summary
The Director of Community Engagement and Belonging offers a unique opportunity to provide leadership central to the school's mission and to the lived experience of every member of the CHS community. This role serves as a bridge between school culture, family partnership, and academic life, ensuring that every student, family, and staff member feels seen, valued, and safe.
Essential Responsibilities
Curriculum and Pedagogy - Partner with curriculum leaders and classroom teachers to create, implement, and evaluate a curriculum that weaves diverse perspectives, identities, and cultures into daily lessons and classroom libraries. Ensure students have opportunities to explore multiple dimensions of identity and the interplay between social identity, social bias, and social justice.
Audit and Enhance Curriculum - Audit and enhance existing curriculum to reflect anti-bias frameworks appropriate for early childhood and elementary education.
Faculty and Staff Development - Plan and deliver professional development workshops for faculty and staff on identity-conscious teaching, anti-bias frameworks, and fostering belonging in the classroom. Coordinate equity training for faculty, staff, families, and the Board of Trustees.
Family and Community Engagement - Serve as a resource to the Family Association, coordinating volunteer programs, parent education workshops, and family mentoring networks. Design and execute school traditions, cultural celebrations, and community-building events that reflect CHS core values that may include evening and weekend commitments. Foster school-family partnerships that deepen belonging and community connection.
Admissions Support - Partner with the Admissions team to welcome, onboard, and retain diverse families. Assist with outreach, recruitment, candidate review, and classroom placement. Help families navigate independent school culture and find connection within the CHS community.
Strategic Leadership - Serve on the administrative leadership team and provide thought leadership to the Head of School on the strategic direction of belonging and community engagement work. Advise on climate metrics, family satisfaction, and strategic belonging goals. Serve as a member of the Student Success Team. Supervise and collaborate with the Community Belonging Coordinator. Engage with students and families by participating in duties and activities that promote community culture, including lunch, recess, dismissal, and special functions.
Position Requirements
Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Educational Leadership strongly preferred.
5+ years of experience in an independent school or similar setting, with direct experience in elementary classroom teaching, curriculum design, or school leadership.
Strong foundation in elementary pedagogy and child development.
Deep familiarity with independent school operations, value propositions, and family dynamics.
High emotional intelligence, with strong skills in reading group dynamics, conflict resolution, and community-building.
Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
Strong organizational skills and sound judgment.
Experience leading DEI work in schools or other organizations preferred, ideally with connections to other practitioners or institutions engaged in belonging and community efforts.
Benefits
The Chestnut Hill School Offers Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Rich benefits include health, dental, vision care, disability, and life insurance.
Retirement savings plan with 6% school contribution after one year.
Professional development opportunities and training.
Easy access to public transportation (Chestnut Hill D Line stop) with paid MBTA passes.
A collaborative team approach and supportive work environment.
About the Role
The Chestnut Hill School, founded in 1860 and located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, is an independent, all-gender school for children ages 3 through grade 6. At the Chestnut Hill School, we believe childhood optimism and enduring curiosity can transform the world. Here, students find meaning and joy in a diverse community that encourages all to question, take risks, and think critically. The Chestnut Hill School offers a rigorous math and literacy program along with special subjects ranging from art and music to science, technology, and Spanish. An extended-day program allows students to enjoy extracurricular activities such as karate, robotics, chess, and athletics within the same nurturing environment.