Administrative Chair
Emerson Waldorf School
Chapel Hill, NC
Start date: August 10, 2026
The Emerson Waldorf School Board of Trustees seeks a caring, thoughtful, and energetic leader who will work in partnership with the Administration, Board of Trustees, and pedagogical leadership to further advance our values of holistic education, social justice, community, and collaboration.
About the School
A premier preK-12 independent day school, Emerson Waldorf School has a beautiful 54-acre wooded campus located in Chapel Hill, NC. Situated among forest, fields, and hills, the school’s classrooms, studios, outdoor amphitheater, athletic field, and working farm provide an ideal environment for indoor-outdoor, multisensory education. Founded in 1984, the school has grown from a small handful of students to a robust welcoming community with creative and talented faculty and staff.
Emerson Waldorf School is accredited with the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA) and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). EWS also maintains membership with Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) and North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS).
Position Summary
The Administrative Chair is responsible for the operational integrity and long-term health of the Emerson Waldorf School. This role is an integral part of the administrative team that is responsible for financial and business management, budgeting, the farm, marketing, fundraising, enrollment, and more. In collaboration with faculty and pedagogical leadership, this role supports the implementation of the school’s daily operations. The Administrative Chair also provides community leadership, represents the school with outside organizations, and builds connections with local businesses and associations.
Key functions of the Administrator role include:
Management of school safety, risk mitigation, and legal compliance through establishment and oversight of policies, procedures, and internal controls
Leadership for campus planning, needs assessment, stakeholder involvement, and development efforts including involvement in capital budget projects, facility management, and strategic planning
Support for school marketing, fundraising initiatives, and enrollment strategies
Ensuring adherence to sound financial management and human resources practices across the school
This is a full time salaried position, salary commensurate with education and experience. Range $50,000-75,000. Benefits include employer paid health insurance, life insurance, 403(b) retirement, professional development funds, tuition remission, three weeks of paid vacation, and ten days of sick leave.
Education and Qualifications
Commitment to our values of holistic education, social justice, community, and collaboration
Experience mentoring and managing teams in education administration
Ability to respectfully manage nuanced and sensitive issues with various constituents
Ability to cultivate collaboration and trust while being an effective liaison among all constituents and building a team environment
Experience with budget and fiscal oversight
Successful fundraising experience preferred
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Master’s degree preferred, Bachelor’s degree required
A background in Waldorf teaching or administration, and familiarity with anthroposophical principles and practices, are ideal for this position. An openness to growth and study in these areas will enable the candidate to successfully carry out their responsibilities.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The Emerson Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or national origin in its employment policies, educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
To apply
Please email the following to the attention of the Hiring Committee at [email protected]
Letter of introduction
Current resume
Contact information for a minimum of three professional references with your relationship to the reference e.g., subordinate, colleague, supervisor. Note: the references will not be contacted until the finalist stage of the hiring process, after reaching out directly to applicants.
Emerson Waldorf is a dual-accredited, well-established school with a rich program. We are located on a 54-acre wooded campus and farm set on the outskirts of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in the vibrant Research Triangle area. Within this diverse region, our campus is in a small rural and residential area adjacent to the 700-acre Duke Forest nature preserve. Our setting provides a rural atmosphere with the cultural advantages of a city. We serve students from preschool through high school and, in our working together, we actively promote a professional culture of communication, collaboration, and professional and personal development.
Emerson Waldorf School has a deep commitment to creating an inclusive community that values diversity and multiculturalism, and we seek candidates who have this same commitment.
