Interim Executive Director

About the role

The Helix School is a Cognia-accredited nonpublic school (NPS) specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodivergent profiles, serving students from kindergarten through age 22 across the San Francisco Bay Area. The Interim Executive Director will serve for the 2026-2027 school year.

Strategic Priorities

• Building and implementing the operational and HR infrastructure the School needs to run with greater consistency and accountability
• Working alongside the Director of Finance to bring greater financial discipline and sustainability to day-to-day operations
• Protecting and strengthening the interdisciplinary clinical model that sits at the heart of the Helix program
• Advancing the Helix brand and deepening donor, parent, and community relationships in close collaboration with the Directors of Development and Admissions

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Board Relations
• Execute and administer Board policies, serving as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and day-to-day School operations.
• Report regularly to the Board on School matters and maintain accountability for effective, professional institutional management.
• Articulate, model, and implement the mission and philosophy of the School across all programs and activities.
• Advise the Board on near-term priorities and keep Board members well-informed on School operations, staff culture, and progress during the leadership transition.
• Personnel Management
• Hire, supervise, evaluate, and develop all School employees, building a high-performing, mission-aligned team.
• Administer disciplinary actions and terminations as necessary, in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Foster a collaborative, student-centered team culture and provide ongoing professional development opportunities.
• External Relations and Advancement
• Serve as the School’s primary representative for public relations, building and sustaining strong relationships with families, school districts, funders, and community partners.
• Fundraising and Development
• Cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Financial and Facilities Management
• Oversee the School’s day-to-day financial operations, including implementation of the annual operations plan and budget.
• Collaborate with staff on the budget development process and present recommendations to the Board.
• Ensure the proper maintenance of the School’s facilities and grounds.
• Advises the Board in its primary duty to safeguard the School’s financial health over both the near and long term.
• Academic Programs and Student Services
• Champion and protect The Helix School's interdisciplinary model, ensuring that clinical services and teaching faculty continue to function as an integrated team in service of each student.
• Direct the School’s academic, nonacademic, and co-curricular programming, including curriculum planning, development, and evaluation.
• Oversee student supervision, evaluation, graduation, discipline, and separation or expulsion processes.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with NPS regulatory requirements, district contracts, and IEP obligations; serve as the School's primary point of accountability with district funding partners and the California Department of Education.
• Assess the effectiveness of all School operations and programs and report findings to the Board.
• Keep the Board and all relevant constituencies informed about School developments and performance.
• Daily Operations and Community Engagement
• Manage the School’s day-to-day activities, including participation in School functions, assemblies, meetings, and events.
• Maintain a visible, engaged presence across all aspects of School life.