DRG Talent
Join to apply for the
Head of School
role at
DRG Talent
2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants
This range is provided by DRG Talent. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $150,000.00/yr - $175,000.00/yr
Shalom School is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.
Read the full Opportunity Statement HERE.
Introduction Shalom School is Sacramento’s only Jewish day school, serving children from 18 months through 6th grade. Rooted in Jewish values and traditions, it offers a warm, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment for families of all backgrounds. The school welcomes both Jewish and non-Jewish students, embracing a wide spectrum of Jewish practices and making Jewish life accessible and meaningful to all.
At Shalom School, strong academics are interwoven with Jewish values, fostering pride in Jewish heritage, joy in Jewish living, and a deep connection to Israel. As one parent shared, "Here, it feels like a great place to be Jewish."
The school is known for its vibrant, community-oriented culture. Families form deep, lasting connections, and the “open-door” atmosphere makes everyone feel at home. Parents are actively involved, and children genuinely love being at school—so much that they often don’t want to leave! Families describe Shalom School as foundational to their Jewish identity and community life, offering lifelong friendships, dedicated educators, and a strong academic foundation.
Shalom School provides a safe and nurturing environment where the whole child is supported—academically, socially, and emotionally. The secure campus and programs like buddy pairings foster relationships across age groups and strengthen the sense of community.
Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Head of School Shalom School offers a rare and exciting opportunity for its next Head of School to make a meaningful and lasting impact. With a strong foundation, a deeply committed community, and a clear vision for the future, the school is poised for its next chapter of growth and innovation.
The incoming Head of School will lead the development of a refreshed strategic plan focused on long-term financial sustainability, institutional growth, and mission alignment. This role calls for a collaborative and visionary leader who can build strong relationships across the school community—supporting students, families, faculty, and staff—while working in close partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Beyond the school’s walls, the Head of School will be encouraged to cultivate meaningful connections throughout the broader Sacramento region and Jewish community. Fundraising will be a vital component of the role. While candidates with a proven track record in development are highly desirable, those with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to grow in this area are also encouraged to apply.
A key priority for the next Head of School will be community outreach and enrollment growth, with a particular focus on expanding the elementary program, which currently serves just under 60 students. Increasing enrollment in the elementary grades is essential to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. With strong academics, a nurturing environment, and a joyful Jewish community, the school is well-positioned to attract new families and grow its impact across the Sacramento region.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a beloved institution into its next phase—shaping the future of Jewish education in Sacramento while fostering a joyful, inclusive, and academically excellent environment. The next Head of School will be empowered to inspire, innovate, and build upon the school’s rich legacy with vision and heart.
Responsibilities Reporting to and partnering with the school’s Board of Trustees, the Head of School will:
Lead the implementation of a strategic plan with clear, measurable goals to guide long-term growth and sustainability.
Serve as a visible and accessible leader, fostering strong relationships within Shalom School, the Sacramento Jewish community, and beyond.
Drive fundraising efforts, including cultivating and soliciting support from individuals, foundations, and institutional partners, and identifying grant opportunities.
Oversee financial operations, establishing sound fiscal practices and ensuring effective monitoring, management, and reporting of the school’s financial health.
Manage enrollment strategy, with a focus on attracting, engaging, and retaining mission-aligned families to support program sustainability and growth.
Effectively manage and support staff through thoughtful leadership, professional development, and a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure academic excellence within an inclusive, values-based Jewish educational environment.
Qualifications The ideal candidate for Head of School will bring a blend of visionary leadership, operational expertise, and deep relational capacity. We recognize that no single candidate will possess every qualification, but we expect that successful candidates will bring many of the following strengths and experiences:
Visionary Leadership:
Ability to articulate and implement a clear, inspiring vision that aligns with Shalom School’s mission and values.
Organizational Experience:
Proven leadership in the nonprofit sector, ideally with experience guiding a small school or Jewish organization through a period of growth and transformation.
Financial Acumen:
Strong understanding of financial management, including strategic budgeting, resource allocation, and sustainable growth planning.
Fundraising Expertise:
Demonstrated success—and genuine enthusiasm—for advancing institutional priorities through fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship. Candidates with strong relational skills and the capacity to grow in this area are also encouraged.
Community Engagement:
A dynamic connector and advocate for Shalom School, skilled at building relationships across diverse communities and serving as a trusted representative within the broader Jewish landscape.
Strategic Problem-Solving:
Creative and resourceful, with a track record of implementing effective solutions to complex challenges.
Educational Background:
Experience in education, familiarity with Jewish day school environments is a plus.
Enrollment Management:
Experience in admissions and enrollment strategy, with the ability to systematically grow enrollment while preserving the school’s character and academic standards.
Board Partnership:
Skilled in leveraging the Board of Trustees for strategic guidance, with strong relationship management and the discernment to offer constructive pushback when needed.
Compelling Communication:
A confident, principled communicator who builds trust and leads with clarity and authenticity.
Team Leadership:
Approachable and supportive, with a commitment to building positive team culture and investing in staff development.
Student-Centered Approach:
A leader who empowers others, holds high standards, and navigates challenges with compassion and clarity.
Jewish Cultural Competency:
Deep appreciation for the diversity within Jewish life and the ability to connect meaningfully across the spectrum of Jewish practice and identity.
Personal Characteristics
Mission-Aligned:
Believes in diverse expressions of Judaism and is deeply committed to the school’s values.
Resilient & Confident:
Positive, self-assured, and able to navigate difficult conversations with grace.
Visionary & Determined:
Big-picture thinker who embraces challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
Relational & Present:
Approachable and eager to connect with children and the school community.
Collaborative Leader:
Builds trust, fosters teamwork, and cultivates a strong sense of shared purpose.
Authentic Communicator:
Honest, responsive, and listens actively to all stakeholders.
Politically Savvy:
Mature and discerning, with sensitivity to the needs of varied constituencies.
Adaptive & Creative:
Embraces ambiguity, takes thoughtful risks, and demonstrates a growth mindset.
Emotionally Intelligent:
Open-minded and inclusive, with strong interpersonal awareness.
Benefits and Compensation The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $175,000, competitive and commensurate with experience. Shalom School offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as tuition remission.
Application Requirements and Search Process DRG is conducting this search on behalf of Shalom School. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:
A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position
A current resume
A statement of leadership philosophy
A second writing sample of your choice (newsletter, article, talk, parent email, etc.)
A list of references (references will not be contacted until the finalist stage of the search and only with candidate permission)
This position description is based upon material provided by Shalom School, an equal-opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of School
role at
DRG Talent
2 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants
This range is provided by DRG Talent. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range $150,000.00/yr - $175,000.00/yr
Shalom School is pleased to work with DRG to conduct this search.
Read the full Opportunity Statement HERE.
Introduction Shalom School is Sacramento’s only Jewish day school, serving children from 18 months through 6th grade. Rooted in Jewish values and traditions, it offers a warm, inclusive, and academically rigorous environment for families of all backgrounds. The school welcomes both Jewish and non-Jewish students, embracing a wide spectrum of Jewish practices and making Jewish life accessible and meaningful to all.
At Shalom School, strong academics are interwoven with Jewish values, fostering pride in Jewish heritage, joy in Jewish living, and a deep connection to Israel. As one parent shared, "Here, it feels like a great place to be Jewish."
The school is known for its vibrant, community-oriented culture. Families form deep, lasting connections, and the “open-door” atmosphere makes everyone feel at home. Parents are actively involved, and children genuinely love being at school—so much that they often don’t want to leave! Families describe Shalom School as foundational to their Jewish identity and community life, offering lifelong friendships, dedicated educators, and a strong academic foundation.
Shalom School provides a safe and nurturing environment where the whole child is supported—academically, socially, and emotionally. The secure campus and programs like buddy pairings foster relationships across age groups and strengthen the sense of community.
Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Head of School Shalom School offers a rare and exciting opportunity for its next Head of School to make a meaningful and lasting impact. With a strong foundation, a deeply committed community, and a clear vision for the future, the school is poised for its next chapter of growth and innovation.
The incoming Head of School will lead the development of a refreshed strategic plan focused on long-term financial sustainability, institutional growth, and mission alignment. This role calls for a collaborative and visionary leader who can build strong relationships across the school community—supporting students, families, faculty, and staff—while working in close partnership with the Board of Trustees.
Beyond the school’s walls, the Head of School will be encouraged to cultivate meaningful connections throughout the broader Sacramento region and Jewish community. Fundraising will be a vital component of the role. While candidates with a proven track record in development are highly desirable, those with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to grow in this area are also encouraged to apply.
A key priority for the next Head of School will be community outreach and enrollment growth, with a particular focus on expanding the elementary program, which currently serves just under 60 students. Increasing enrollment in the elementary grades is essential to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. With strong academics, a nurturing environment, and a joyful Jewish community, the school is well-positioned to attract new families and grow its impact across the Sacramento region.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a beloved institution into its next phase—shaping the future of Jewish education in Sacramento while fostering a joyful, inclusive, and academically excellent environment. The next Head of School will be empowered to inspire, innovate, and build upon the school’s rich legacy with vision and heart.
Responsibilities Reporting to and partnering with the school’s Board of Trustees, the Head of School will:
Lead the implementation of a strategic plan with clear, measurable goals to guide long-term growth and sustainability.
Serve as a visible and accessible leader, fostering strong relationships within Shalom School, the Sacramento Jewish community, and beyond.
Drive fundraising efforts, including cultivating and soliciting support from individuals, foundations, and institutional partners, and identifying grant opportunities.
Oversee financial operations, establishing sound fiscal practices and ensuring effective monitoring, management, and reporting of the school’s financial health.
Manage enrollment strategy, with a focus on attracting, engaging, and retaining mission-aligned families to support program sustainability and growth.
Effectively manage and support staff through thoughtful leadership, professional development, and a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure academic excellence within an inclusive, values-based Jewish educational environment.
Qualifications The ideal candidate for Head of School will bring a blend of visionary leadership, operational expertise, and deep relational capacity. We recognize that no single candidate will possess every qualification, but we expect that successful candidates will bring many of the following strengths and experiences:
Visionary Leadership:
Ability to articulate and implement a clear, inspiring vision that aligns with Shalom School’s mission and values.
Organizational Experience:
Proven leadership in the nonprofit sector, ideally with experience guiding a small school or Jewish organization through a period of growth and transformation.
Financial Acumen:
Strong understanding of financial management, including strategic budgeting, resource allocation, and sustainable growth planning.
Fundraising Expertise:
Demonstrated success—and genuine enthusiasm—for advancing institutional priorities through fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship. Candidates with strong relational skills and the capacity to grow in this area are also encouraged.
Community Engagement:
A dynamic connector and advocate for Shalom School, skilled at building relationships across diverse communities and serving as a trusted representative within the broader Jewish landscape.
Strategic Problem-Solving:
Creative and resourceful, with a track record of implementing effective solutions to complex challenges.
Educational Background:
Experience in education, familiarity with Jewish day school environments is a plus.
Enrollment Management:
Experience in admissions and enrollment strategy, with the ability to systematically grow enrollment while preserving the school’s character and academic standards.
Board Partnership:
Skilled in leveraging the Board of Trustees for strategic guidance, with strong relationship management and the discernment to offer constructive pushback when needed.
Compelling Communication:
A confident, principled communicator who builds trust and leads with clarity and authenticity.
Team Leadership:
Approachable and supportive, with a commitment to building positive team culture and investing in staff development.
Student-Centered Approach:
A leader who empowers others, holds high standards, and navigates challenges with compassion and clarity.
Jewish Cultural Competency:
Deep appreciation for the diversity within Jewish life and the ability to connect meaningfully across the spectrum of Jewish practice and identity.
Personal Characteristics
Mission-Aligned:
Believes in diverse expressions of Judaism and is deeply committed to the school’s values.
Resilient & Confident:
Positive, self-assured, and able to navigate difficult conversations with grace.
Visionary & Determined:
Big-picture thinker who embraces challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.
Relational & Present:
Approachable and eager to connect with children and the school community.
Collaborative Leader:
Builds trust, fosters teamwork, and cultivates a strong sense of shared purpose.
Authentic Communicator:
Honest, responsive, and listens actively to all stakeholders.
Politically Savvy:
Mature and discerning, with sensitivity to the needs of varied constituencies.
Adaptive & Creative:
Embraces ambiguity, takes thoughtful risks, and demonstrates a growth mindset.
Emotionally Intelligent:
Open-minded and inclusive, with strong interpersonal awareness.
Benefits and Compensation The salary range for this position is $150,000 – $175,000, competitive and commensurate with experience. Shalom School offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as tuition remission.
Application Requirements and Search Process DRG is conducting this search on behalf of Shalom School. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:
A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position
A current resume
A statement of leadership philosophy
A second writing sample of your choice (newsletter, article, talk, parent email, etc.)
A list of references (references will not be contacted until the finalist stage of the search and only with candidate permission)
This position description is based upon material provided by Shalom School, an equal-opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr