Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Compassionate Leadership - National Association of Independent Schools

Opportunity Statement: Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Compassionate Leadership

Eastside Prep’s Vision is to Inspire Students to Create a Better World.

Our Mission is to Guide Students To:

• Think Critically
• Act Responsibly
• Lead Compassionately
• Innovate Wisely

Our vision and mission guide the development of the curriculum and program as well as the evolution of the EPS culture. Founded in 2002, Eastside Prep is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). Eastside Prep has grown from 17 students in 2003-2004 to a projected 535 for the academic year 2025-2026.

History of Equity, Inclusion, and Compassionate Leadership (EICL) at EPS

Over the past decade, Eastside Preparatory School (EPS) has grown, evolved, and deepened its work in equity, inclusion, and compassionate leadership (EICL). Twenty years ago, EPS was founded as a school for a broad range of learners, incorporating neurological equity and diversity into the foundation of the school. We know that belonging leads to holistic success both in, and beyond, school. Our dedication to equity, inclusion, and compassionate leadership as a necessary lens through which we view all aspects of school has now led to the establishment of this inaugural director-level position.

Over the past ten years, we have moved from one EICL Coordinator, whose work originally was limited to students and student activities, to two EICL Coordinators and a faculty/staff EICL Organizational Design Group. Together, these groups work to develop and implement strategic equity and inclusion priorities for the school and all its constituents. With the addition of our new EICL Director, we are excited to enter EPS’s next chapter—one in which belonging: feeling safe, feeling connected, and feeling able to contribute to our community—are essential commitments and shared community responsibilities.

Position Summary

The Equity, Inclusion, and Compassionate Leadership Director will provide visionary leadership to foster an inclusive and equitable school community at Eastside Prep. The position features a blend of direct responsibilities and shared ownership. As the scope of the EICL Director is schoolwide, the partnership with other members of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is essential for success. Each member of the SLT will support the director in developing and executing school-wide initiatives.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the EICL Director will develop and implement strategic initiatives that promote belonging, cultural competency, and compassionate leadership among students, faculty, staff, and trustees. This role requires thoughtful and intentional leadership with a deep understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Prerequisites for this position include strong program development experience and the ability to collaborate across all levels of the institution to create lasting and meaningful change. This position reports directly to the Head of School and will supervise a team including EICL Coordinators, Rainier Scholars Coordinator, and administrative staff support. This is a full-time position. Start date is July 1, 2025.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Engage in vision work to continually refine and align EICL efforts with the school’s long-term objectives.
• Prioritize initiatives and set measurable goals based on findings from the Belonging Audit.
• Partner with the SLT to ensure EICL literacy is infused into all aspects of the school’s policies, programs, and operations.

Student and Community Support

• Serve as a visible and accessible leader for students and families, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups, including BIPOC and gender-expansive/gender non-conforming communities.
• Oversee the strategic leadership of affinity space programming, fostering safe and supportive environments for students and faculty/staff.
• Provide opportunities to connect with and support parents/guardians.

Collaborative Responsibilities

Curriculum and Programming

• Oversee the design and implementation of EICL-focused programming and events (i.e. Voices in Action Day and Culture Night) with a particular focus on further developing the Middle School program.
• Serve on Academic Design and Integration Group (ADIG+), led by the Director of Academic Design and Integration, to ensure alignment with EICL principles.
• Provide perspective to the Education Beyond the Classroom (EBC) team on EICL-related topics and institutional practices.

Faculty, Staff, and Trustee Engagement

• Collaborate with Head of School to provide ongoing professional development and training on EICL literacy, ensuring faculty and staff understand and embody equity and inclusion in their work.
• Partner with the Director of Finance and Operations on policy improvements that foster belonging and support for employees from diverse backgrounds.
• Supervise and support the Rainier Scholars Coordinator and EICL Coordinators in their efforts to enhance student experience.
• Serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees, including the development of strategic priorities related to belonging.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Collaborative mindset with a talent for fostering relationships across multiple constituencies.
• Demonstrated expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in an educational or nonprofit setting.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead institutional change efforts and build meaningful community partnerships.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on engagement in student and faculty programming.

Experience and Credentials

• A minimum of three years of leadership experience in an EICL or related role.
• Experience in policy development and organizational change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff and facilitating professional development.
• Education, social justice, psychology, organizational leadership, or a related field of study preferred.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit these materials to serve as a complete application for the position by Monday, March 17, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Overall Educational Philosophy
• Statement of Equity and Inclusion Philosophy
• Four references that can speak to leadership experience and/or involvement in EICL work

You can access our online application HERE.