Director of Community Engagement & Belonging

Job Description

Job Description

Institutional Background

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.

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. The Director will assist with developing CHS' curriculum and pedagogy around identity, belonging, and community, lead community-wide belonging initiatives, oversee family engagement, and collaborate with faculty on inclusive curriculum development. This is a senior administrative role that reports directly to the Head of School. 

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 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
• Participate in faculty and staff recruitment, support, and retention processes to promote a diverse and inclusive school community

Family and Community Engagement

• Serve as a resource to the Family Association, coordinating volunteer programs, parent education workshops, and family mentoring networks
• Coordinate adult and student affinity groups
• 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
• Knowledge of identity development, intersectionality, and anti-bias education frameworks, with genuine enthusiasm for belonging and community work in early childhood and elementary education
• 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

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. 

 

The Chestnut Hill School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or family composition or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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