Gotlib Jewish Academy, Orlando, FL

Head of School

Gotlib Jewish Academy (GJA) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of School (HOS) with infectious energy and genuine warmth to lead our institution into its next phase of growth and excellence. This charismatic leader will champion academic excellence, create a joyful atmosphere where Jewish education comes alive, and foster a vibrant community where students, staff, and families thrive together.Gotlib Jewish Academy (GJA) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of School (HOS) to lead our institution into its next phase of growth and excellence. The ideal candidate is a charismatic and strategic leader who will champion academic excellence, community engagement, and Jewish identity.

This role requires a leader passionate about outstanding secular and Jewish education who can foster relationships within and beyond Orlando’s diverse Jewish community. The Head of School will ensure all students and families feel included while driving long-term growth with the support of a strong administrative team.As a school that serves Orlando’s diverse Jewish community, GJA serves families from diverse Jewish backgrounds and perspectives. The Head of School will ensure that all students and families feel included, valued, and supported in an environment that respects and celebrates Jewish identity in all its forms.

This role requires a leader with a passion for outstanding secular and Jewish education, a strong ability to foster relationships within and beyond the school community, and the vision to drive long-term growth. While the HOS will serve as the face of the school, they will be supported by a strong administrative team to handle daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Excellence & Faculty Support

• Ensure GJA’’s mission prioritizes educational excellence, providing students with a challenging and engaging academic experience that prepares them for future success.
• Foster a culture that values and empowers educators by supporting faculty development and innovation in teaching. Empower faculty to support the success of all students using differentiated instruction methods.
• Collaborate with academic leaders and staff to maintain and enhance educational programs and technologies.
• Oversee and support the  school’s academic leadership team. Lead the creation, implementation, and assessment of all educational programs, including general education, Judaic studies, physical education, social-emotional, and extracurricular programs.

School Culture & Student Experience

• Create a dynamic, positive school environment where students are excited to learn and engage with Jewish traditions.
• Lead by example with high energy and personal connections, fostering a joyful atmosphere that makes Judaism relevant, meaningful, and appealing to students from all backgrounds.
• Implement innovative approaches to whole-child education that recognize and develop students’ multiple intelligences and diverse strengths.
• Foster a joyful atmosphere that makes Jewish education engaging and appealing to students from all backgrounds.

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Serve as a highly visible and accessible leader, fostering strong relationships with students, parents, faculty, and alumni.
• Strengthen ties with the wider Jewish and local communities, ensuring that GJA remains an integral part of Jewish life.
• Act as a key spokesperson and advocate for the school’s mission and values.
• Create memorable school programs that highlight Jewish traditions and foster daily connections with families through personal interactions and high-visibility presence during arrival, dismissal, and school events.

Development & Fundraising

• Spearhead strategic fundraising and donor relations by building personal connections with potential donors, communicating the school’s vision passionately, and developing plans for major gifts, annual giving, endowments, and capital campaigns.Spearhead strategic fundraising and donor relations to develop and execute fundraising plans, cultivate major donors, and oversee annual giving, endowments, and capital campaigns.
• Drive community engagement and external partnerships, serving as the school’s ambassador to foster relationships with alumni, parents, local Jewish organizations, and sponsors.
• Guide and support the Director of School Operations in securingSecure grants and institutional funding by researching and applying for grants to ensure sustained financial support.
• Provide strategic direction forOversee fundraising events and campaigns, including annual gala,  benefit events, giving days, and innovative donor engagement initiatives, while empowering the Director of School Operations to manage implementation. to expand financial support.
• Collaborate with the Board and Leadership to align fundraising efforts with the school’s strategic vision, engage stakeholders in development efforts, and ensure financial sustainability.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors to establish and implement a clear vision and strategic plan for the school’s future, ensuring a balance between academic excellence, development, and financial sustainability.
• Cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that reflects the diversity of the Jewish community.
• Enhance the school’s reputation as a center for rigorous general education alongside meaningful Jewish learning.

Operational Oversight & Management

• Delegate daily operations to the leadership team while ensuring faculty, staff, and leadership structures align with the school’s strategic vision.
• Oversee student enrollment strategies and recruitment, ensuring long-term growth and building retention through academic excellence.
• Guide and support the Director of Academics in rRecruiting, mentoring, and supervisinge educators, ensuringfostering professional growth opportunities align with and reinforcing the school’’s educational philosophy.
• Partner with the Director of School OperationsBusiness Manager and Finance Committee to define the budget and ensure financial sustainability. Work closely with the Board to implement policies and strategic goals.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Advanced degree in education (preferred) or a relevant field  with 5-10 years of experience in educational leadership experience or administration.
• Proven leadership experience in education or a related field, with a demonstrated team management ability to manage a team of professionals.
• High energy and enthusiasm for education and Jewish life, with proven ability to make Judaism exciting and meaningful for students from all backgrounds.
• Proven track record of substantially growing school enrollment through personal outreach and creating a school community that families want to join.
• Strong fFamiliarity withand understanding of both Judaic and General Studies, with a .
• A demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and Jewish values.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to connect genuinely with children, parents, and donors, creating engaging experiences that strengthen community bonds.
• with the ability to unite a diverse community.
• A passion for Jewish community engagement, with an understanding that GJA serves families from all Jewish backgrounds, and the ability to connect genuinely with children, parents, and donors, creating engaging experiences that strengthen community bonds.
• Proven management experience with management skills in the educational and/or nonprofit sector, with a record of achievement in advancement, recruitment/enrollment, and administration.
• Organized and effective time manager, skilled in written and oral communications, with relationship-building skills.

For more information or to apply for this position, please contact Rabbi Heshy Glass at [email protected] or 516.368.3333

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