Executive Director

Title: Executive Director

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Employment : Full-time, year-round

Start: Preferred March 2026; no later than Spring Break 2026 per DMS calendar

School Overview

Desert Marigold School is Arizona’s premier K-12 Waldorf-inspired public charter school, nestled on a vibrant twelve-acre campus near South Mountain Preserve in Phoenix. Serving approximately 250 students, DMS integrates intellectual achievement with imaginative, artistic, and moral development to educate the head, hands, and heart. Our campus includes gardens, orchards, a pond, and barnyard animals that support practical work, environmental stewardship, and healthy rhythms of learning. As a member of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, we blend the core principles of Public Waldorf with the requirements and accountability of an Arizona public charter. Families and faculty partner to create a school culture that is warm, purposeful, and oriented to craft, curiosity, and community.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is the chief executive and instructional leader for Desert Marigold School. The ED is responsible for strategic and financial leadership, operational excellence, compliance, facilities and safety, community engagement, and measured growth in alignment with the school’s mission and values

Waldorf Education

Public Waldorf education seeks to develop the head, hands, and heart of every student through an arts-integrated, developmentally informed curriculum. Learning is active and imaginative, with strong attention to practical work, nature, and community life. At DMS, we honor Public

Waldorf Principles while meeting Arizona public charter standards

Reporting Relationships

● Reports to the Governing Board

● Directly supervises the Leadership Team, including Curriculum Director, Humans

Resources, Enrollment Manager, Facilities Lead, and other roles such as Business

Manager, Operations Manager, and Community and/or Marketing Directors

● Oversees all faculty and staff through the Leadership Team and approved organizational structure

Employment Terms

● Full-time, year-round position based on campus

● Preferred start in March 2026; no later than Spring Break 2026 per DMS calendar

● Competitive salary aligned with Arizona charter market rates and experience, with

comprehensive benefits including health coverage and professional development

● Exempt position with occasional evenings and weekends for meetings and events

Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic and Financial Leadership

● Lead annual and multi-year strategic planning aligned to mission and Board goals

● Develop balanced budgets and multi-year forecasts with clear assumptions

● Present monthly financial reports and recommend timely adjustments

● Grow sustainable revenue through enrollment health, grants, partnerships, and

development efforts consistent with policy

● Maintain strong internal controls, audit readiness, and fiscal transparency

B. Operational Excellence and Compliance

● Ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, including special education,

Section 504, Title I, and student safety

● Oversee accurate and timely reporting to the Arizona Department of Education, Arizona

Corporation Commission, and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools

● Recruit, support, and evaluate staff in accordance with Board policy and applicable law

● Establish clear procedures for admissions, attendance, assessment, and records

● Build reliable systems for data, technology, procurement, and vendor management

C. Facilities, Safety, and Risk Management

● Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming 12-acre campus and learning environments

● Lead emergency preparedness, drills, and safety training consistent with policy and law

● Oversee facilities planning, maintenance, and capital projects within budget

● Manage risk through policies, insurance, and training that protect students, staff, and community.

D. Community Building and Communications

● Foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and collaboration among students, families, faculty,and staff

● Communicate clearly and regularly with the community about school priorities, progress, and celebrations

● Partner with the Community Council to ensure effective communication and alignment with Community Council and School activities

● Partner with the broader Waldorf community to establish and support the overarching mission of Valley of the Sun Waldorf Education Association

● Partner with the Governing Board to ensure effective public meetings and transparent decision-making

● Represent DMS to external partners, the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education, and Arizona education networks

E. Business Development and Growth

● Assess program and enrollment opportunities that align with mission and capacity

● Pursue grants and partnerships that strengthen academics, arts, land stewardship, and workforce pathways

● Recommend measured growth strategies to the Board with clear impacts on staffing, budget, and facilities

Required Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

● Minimum three years of financial management and operations leadership, preferably in education or nonprofit settings

● Demonstrated strategic planning experience and the ability to lead change with clarity and follow-through

● Proven leadership of teams, including hiring, supervision, and professional growth

● Experience with or strong interest in Waldorf pedagogy and the Public Waldorf Principles

● Charter school experience strongly preferred

● Experience evaluating both instructional (teaching) and classified/support staff

● Strong written and oral communication skills with families, staff, and governing bodies

Preferred Qualifications

● Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Business Administration, Public

Administration, or Waldorf Administration

● Experience as an executive leader in an Arizona public charter or other Arizona public school

● Successful grant writing or development leadership

● Experience with facilities planning and campus operations

● Bilingual or cross-cultural communication strengths

Essential Skills and Abilities

● Financial acumen and data-informed decision making

● Strategic thinking with practical implementation skills

● Knowledge of public school compliance and reporting

● Collaborative, consensus-building leadership style

● Clear, timely communication with diverse stakeholders

● Systems building and process improvement orientation

● Commitment to upholding Public Waldorf education principles and child development

● Talent development and team coaching

● Community engagement and conflict resolution

● High integrity, discretion, and follow-through

Licenses and Clearances

● Valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, or eligibility to obtain prior to start date

● Completion of required trainings for public school employees as assigned

● Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for school business

Physical Requirements

● Ability to move between indoor and outdoor learning spaces on a large campus

● Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds and support for campus events

● Ability to work evenings and weekends for meetings and community activities as needed

Performance Evaluation Criteria

● Progress toward Board-approved strategic goals and school mission

● Fiscal health, audit outcomes, and adherence to budget

● Enrollment stability and growth consistent with capacity and program quality

● Staff recruitment, retention, and professional growth outcomes

● Compliance metrics, safety drills, and risk management practices

● Family engagement, timely communications, and community satisfaction

● Measurable progress in academics, arts, and land-based learning initiatives

Application Process and Required Materials

Please submit the following as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject

“Executive Director Application – [Your Name]”:

● Cover letter describing your interest in DMS and Waldorf-inspired education

● Current resume

● A short leadership statement addressing strategic planning, financial stewardship, and community building

● A brief statement of your understanding of Public Waldorf education or your plan to learn and lead within it

● Three references

● Two professional supervisors or Board members

● One peer, faculty, or community partner

Deadline and Contact Information

Priority consideration for applications received by December 15, 2025. The position remains open until filled. Inquiries may be directed to Daniel Franks and Board of Directors through the school office (602) 243-6909 or email [email protected]

email [email protected]

EEO Statement

Desert Marigold School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. DMS does not discriminate onthe basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, nationalorigin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.