Desert Marigold School
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, Human 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 board@desertmarigold.org 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 through the school office or board@desertmarigold.org
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 on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
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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, Human 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 board@desertmarigold.org 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 through the school office or board@desertmarigold.org
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 on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr