Job Description

Mission

Montclair Kimberley Academy’s (MKA’s) diverse, collaborative, and inclusive community inspires students to lead lives of noble character, purpose, and distinction. The school’s challenging, engaging, and innovative academic program provides a vibrant and transformative education. Our faculty’s deep and genuine understanding of our students as individuals and as learners fosters their ethical development, intellectual growth, and personal success.

Strategic Vision

We are dedicated to fostering student-centered learning experiences that inspire critical thinking, ethical leadership, and the confidence to navigate an ever-changing world. Our approach is intentionally holistic, rooted in academic excellence and social and emotional development. MKA prioritizes curiosity, creativity, and balance in every student’s journey. Faculty, who are passionate about learning and teaching, provide the support and leadership students need to thrive, ensuring every student is empowered to shape their future.

As diverse as it is united, MKA’s community embraces inquiry, courage, empathy, and resilience. Together, we foster an environment where every individual’s potential is recognized and honored.

As MKA looks to the future, we are guided by four strategic pillars that reflect our deepest commitments and boldest aspirations. These pillars—Inspiring Inquiry and Insight, Expanding Access, Sustaining Community Well-being, and Shaping a Sustainable Future—articulate the why and how behind our vision, serving as both a compass and a catalyst for progress. Each is supported by clear, actionable priorities designed to deepen the MKA experience, ensure mission alignment, and prepare our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Together, they form a blueprint for intentional growth, meaningful impact, and a vibrant future for our community.

The Opportunity

Montclair Kimberley Academy, an innovative Jr-K–12, independent day school in northern New Jersey with a strong national reputation and a strong tradition of internal professional development, seeks a Director of Community Belonging beginning on July 1, 2026. This Director position provides a unique opportunity for a dynamic, experienced school leader to oversee the school’s Community Belonging initiatives. The Director of Community Belonging influences all facets of school life, from curriculum and pedagogy to athletics and the arts, and is a frequent, collaborative thought partner with the Head of School, the three campus Heads, and the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development. Reporting to the Head of School, the Director is a member of the Administrative Council and also collaborates with the Admissions Team, the Athletics Department, the Communications Team, and the Development Team to help achieve the school’s key priorities, mission, and vision. To cultivate a diverse and cosmopolitan community where everyone feels at home and where students become prepared to engage with our dynamic, 21st-century world, the Director of Community Belonging works closely with the Tri-Campus Community Belonging team to help our faculty and staff work to affirm the identity of every student and family. This key role also connects deeply with students and parents.

Successful candidates will have experience leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work in schools or other organizations and will have an educational philosophy and a vision that are consistent with Montclair Kimberley Academy’s values.

Key Responsibilities

• Partners with the Head of School to collaborate with the Board of Trustees; facilitates and frames the agenda, in collaboration with the Chairperson, for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee.
• As a member of MKA’s Administrative Council, leads and serves as an ambassador, articulator, and steward of the school’s mission and vision across all three campuses.
• Makes recommendations to the Head of School and to other Administrative Council members regarding the recruitment, hiring, retention, and mentorship of school employees and participates, where practical, in the hiring process.
• Leads MKA’s Tri-Campus Community Belonging Team from a research-informed perspective.
• Aligns, fosters, cultivates, and envisions how the school’s systems and practices of Ethical Leadership are connected to Community Belonging.
• Supports the creation and implementation of all-school programs connected to Belonging and Ethical Leadership initiatives (curricular and co-curricular) to best meet the needs of students, faculty, staff, and families.
• In collaboration with other MKA curricular leaders, cultivates a vision and program for inclusive teaching and learning that is mindful of the unique needs of Jr-K-12 students.
• Serves as a thought partner, designer, collaborator, and in some cases, leader of the school's professional learning community, including, but not limited to Reiginite, NJAIS, New Teacher Institute, Faculty Grants, and MKA’s partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). These learning spaces and partnerships may be internal but may also connect MKA to local, regional, and national organizations.
• Co-Lead Strategic priorities to strengthen purposeful partnerships with families, alumni, and community organizations to identify and attract mission-aligned students, expanding access to MKA’s opportunities for high-potential learners from diverse backgrounds.
• Collaborates with the Admissions team and serves as an ambassador at signature Admission events; serves on the Financial Aid Committee and as a thought partner in the Admissions process, mindful of the consistent, equitable allocation of the school’s financial aid resources.
• Serves as a thought partner and collaborator with the three Heads of Campus and the Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development to promote cultural competency and other formative learning experiences designed to support equity and inclusion.
• Collaborates with school Campus Leaders to ensure consistency and transparency around discipline, behavior, and school climate opportunities and challenges, and around restorative justice practices; collaborates with school leaders to communicate with students and families around disciplinary opportunities and challenges.
• Demonstrates commitment to and awareness of the educational, physical, social, and psychological needs of the school community and develops plans for meeting those needs with a student-centered approach to the school’s belonging initiatives.
• Fosters trust and serves as a bridge-builder between the school and parents.
• Collaborates with and serves as a thought partner on program and policy to the Admissions Team, the Athletics Department, the Communications Team, and the Development Team.
• Fosters deep relationships throughout the MKA community between students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
• Weekends and evening commitments: Board of Trustees Meetings, Diversity Inclusion Parent Committee Meetings, Monthly Student Diversity Leadership Committee Meetings, Cultural events, Alumni events, Hiring Fairs, Student Conferences, Community Events, and select Admissions Events.
• Availability is needed for troubleshooting and planning in urgent community moments.

Qualities & Qualifications

• Understands and articulates data-informed trends in pedagogy and educational practices. Empathetic and inspiring educational leader
• Passion for and understanding of Junior-K-12 learning
• Personal and professional commitment to community, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and the requisite skillfulness to support student, faculty, and staff growth in this area
• Excellent communicator with clarity in writing and speaking opportunities
• Skill in developing trust with various constituencies and deftly navigating sensitive conversations
• Calm confidence that comes from prior leadership experience
• High emotional intelligence and sensitivity to organizational dynamics
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills
• Confidence and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite healthy debate, and welcome and reflect on feedback
• Experience with and enthusiasm for leading inspirational change that deepens community, empowers community members, and nurtures belonging
• Prior experience in designing learning opportunities for students and adults, and in developing strategic programs across grade levels, divisions, or departments
• At least 10 years of experience working in an educational setting
• Evidence of post-collegiate learning and growth connected to Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. Master’s degree preferred.
• Prior experience working as a leader in Independent Schools is a plus
• Nimble under challenging conversations (mostly with parents/caregivers and faculty)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

MKA is committed to promoting an inclusive and representative education that honors students’ narratives, provides a safe environment to explore and discuss multiple perspectives, and helps transform students and faculty, school culture and curriculum, community, and society. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment to this process.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to cjunquera@mka.org .

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $150,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience.

MKA offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical and dental coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

It is MKA's policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or disability not related to the requirements for being a successful employee at MKA.

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