Leadership Associate, SY25-26

Leadership Associate to the Principal
Inspired Teaching Demonstration School

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is seeking a highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented Leadership Associate to support the Principal in driving school-wide alignment, increasing efficiency, and ensuring seamless daily operations. This role is central to enhancing the Principal’s productivity, allowing for a more strategic and intentional focus on instructional leadership, staff development, and student success. The Leadership Associate will play a critical role in ensuring that all functions of the school operate in harmony and that the Principal remains proactive rather than reactive in decision-making.

About Inspired Teaching Demonstration School

At ITDS, we believe that all students can achieve at high levels in a school culture rooted in joy, inclusivity, and equity. Our inquiry-based model empowers students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and thoughtful citizens. As a professional learning community, we are committed to supporting educators in their growth while fostering a collaborative, student-centered environment. The Leadership Associate must embody this mission, supporting the Principal in creating a cohesive, high-functioning school community that serves as a model for progressive education in Washington, DC.

Position Overview

The Leadership Associate will work closely with the Principal to manage daily priorities, streamline communication, and ensure alignment across school operations, instructional initiatives, and community engagement. The ideal candidate will bring exceptional organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to anticipate and address challenges proactively. This role requires a deep commitment to efficiency, strategic execution, and relationship-building with staff, students, and families.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Operations & Productivity Support

• Serve as the right hand to the Principal, managing schedules, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring follow-through on key initiatives.

• Maintain up-to-date logs of pending decisions, requests, and meetings, ensuring that the Principal stays ahead of deadlines and urgent matters.

• Manage incoming communications, drafting responses, and ensuring clear and timely follow-up.

• Anticipate the Principal’s needs in preparation for meetings, events, and strategic planning.

• Develop and refine systems that enhance operational efficiency across the school.

• Manage special projects as assigned. 

School-Wide Coordination & Alignment

• Act as a bridge between the Principal and key school functions (teaching & learning, operations, student support, and community engagement) to ensure alignment and efficiency.

• Track progress on school-wide initiatives and provide the Principal with regular updates on key priorities.

• Support planning and execution of leadership team meetings, professional learning sessions, and school events.

• Coordinate communication with the Board of Directors, including scheduling meetings and preparing materials.

• Assist in the organization of retention, recruitment, and staff development efforts to maintain a strong, mission-aligned team.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families and serve as a key point of contact for Principal-related communications.

• Support family engagement efforts, ensuring clear and consistent messaging around school priorities, initiatives, and events.

• Collaborate with staff to plan and execute community-building events, town halls, and learning showcases.

Confidentiality & Professionalism

• Handle sensitive information with the highest level of integrity and discretion.

• Serve as a thought partner and sounding board for the Principal, offering insights and solutions to emerging challenges.

• Model professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to equity and excellence in all interactions.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The Leadership Associate is a strategic thinker, exceptional communicator, and master organizer who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. They possess the following qualities:

• Proactive Problem-Solver – Anticipates challenges and works to address them before they escalate.

• Master of Organization & Efficiency – Keeps the Principal and school-wide priorities on track through strong systems and clear processes. Loves to be behind the scenes ensuring stakeholder-facing staff are set up for success.

• Strong Relationship-Builder – Develops trust and rapport with staff, students, and families.

• Strategic Communicator – Effectively manages messaging, ensuring alignment and clarity across all stakeholders.

• Deep Commitment to Equity & Inclusion – Champions a school culture that values all students, families, and staff members.

• Resilient & Adaptable – Thrives in a dynamic environment and embraces change with a solutions-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of executive-level administrative experience or equivalent relevant work in a leadership support role.

• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting correspondence, reports, and presentations.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and digital communication platforms.

• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.

• A passion for education, student achievement, and community engagement.

Salary & Benefits

Inspired Teaching Demonstration School offers competitive salaries, commensurate with experience. The school provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans with employer matching, flexible spending accounts, supplemental insurance options, and pre-tax public transportation benefits.

The Inspired Teaching Demonstration School is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications aligned with the role.

Join Us!

If you are a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and mission-driven professional eager to support transformational school leadership, we encourage you to apply! Your work as a Leadership Associate will directly impact the effectiveness of school-wide initiatives and help create a more joyful, equitable, and thriving learning environment for students, staff, and families.