Division Head & Dean Positions

You have been a dedicated part of an independent school community for years.

Whether you've taught that well-loved subject, supervised countless groups of chatty teens as a dorm parent, or been a visible member of school administration, you are a colorful part of an independent school's tapestry. If you believe that you possess the foresight, leadership skills, and creativity to further improve the quality of education and community at an independent or private school, then consider working with CS&A to take the next step in your career path as a division head or dean.

Depending on the role you wish to fill and the opportunities available, you may work with either our Placement Group or our retained Search Group. Read more below for information on how to find these types of jobs with our Placement Group; click here to see current opportunities available through the Search Group.

Division Head and Dean Positions at Independent Schools

Roughly translated, the position of division head or dean at an independent school corresponds to that of a principal in a public or charter school. At an independent school that only has one “division” (a grade 9-12 boarding school, for instance), the title “dean” will usually correspond to senior administrators who work under and report to the Head of School. Positions include Academic Dean, Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, and Dean of Residential Life. At day schools, deans typically report to Division Heads.

Finding a Job: Placement vs. Search

If you're interested in pursuing a leadership position at an independent school, you can follow two distinct paths within CS&A. Both our Placement Group and our Search Group help job seekers find the right administrative jobs in independent schools. Our Search Group works on a “retained search” basis, in which a school hires the team to proactively recruit a specific candidate pool for a job opportunity. This is typically a six to 12-month engagement and includes several visits to the school by one of our search consultants. To see a list of our current retained search opportunities, click here.

Our Placement Group operates on a contingency basis, and our Placement Associates have comparable independent school knowledge. Whereas CS&A might work on 100 “retained searches” a year, we'll work on placing several hundred administrative positions through our Placement Group. We do not post our Placement positions on our website; prospective administrators learn of openings when they become a candidate with CS&A's Placement Group.

We encourage you to apply for candidacy if your qualifications expressly include:

  • A master's degree (preferred) or bachelor's degree from an accredited university
  • Experience in a highly visible educational administrative position
  • Strong peer leadership and communication skills
  • Familiarity with school administration systems, procedures, and practices
  • Experience working with or teaching students, particularly in independent, private, boarding, college preparatory, or like-kind school settings
  • A commitment to education and 21st-century learning principles
  • Strong references that support these qualifications

Recent News

09/28/2024 | The Importance of the Head of School Compensation Benchmarking Process

Competition for Talent Over the past twenty years, the job of an independent school Head of School has become increasingly more complex and demanding. As a result, there has been and continues to be keen competition for talented individuals who can successfully and effectively lead independent school communities. In this highly competitive market for talent,

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09/19/2024 | Empowering Potential: A Transformative Journey

I started my career in education as an English teacher with Detroit Public Schools in 1993. My first teaching assignment was at the high school I graduated from after writing a letter to the principal– Mumford High School, made famous by Eddie Murphy, who wore a t-shirt with the school’s name in the first Beverly

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08/26/2024 | A Seamless Head of School Transition: An Interview with Jacques Weber and Ariane Baer-Harper

Senior Consultant, Karen Neitzel, had the privilege of sitting down with Heads of School, Jacques Weber and Ariane Baer-Harper. Karen worked with both candidates in their Head of School searches, supporting Jacques’ placement at Dallas International School and then partnering with the Austin International School board to replace him at Austin International with Ariane. She

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08/09/2024 | Meet Me at The Well

One of my favorite childhood memories is of our annual summer trip from Philadelphia to Virginia to a family home where my mother was born. As we drove south, my excitement grew when the Blue Ridge Mountains came into view and we exited I-81 to a state road the led to my small maternal hometown.

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08/08/2024 | A Proven Approach to Support and Guide the Board of Directors/Trustees

Over the years as President/Head of School/CEO I have been both blessed and challenged to engage with the complete constellation of contributors and claimants to an academic institution. This includes twelve different Board Chairs.  Each chair brings a different perspective to the position and, as a result, a different presumption about the relationship between Board

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07/24/2024 | Discernment is Disposition

Search Consultant, Kent Hickey co-wrote an article entitled Discernment is Disposition about effective discernment in Catholic School leadership through integrated contemplative practices that foster spiritual integrity.  Follow the link below to read this inspiring article written for Catholic Virtual. Discernment is Disposition

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06/23/2024 | Leading in a War Zone: An Interview with Trae Holland, School Director at Pechersk School International in Kyiv, Ukraine

Carney, Sandoe & Associates International Practice has the privilege of working with schools around the globe.  They are offered the unique opportunity to learn about the different cultures that shape a school and how it influences the curriculum, faculty, and students.  International schools provide opportunities for cultural awareness, global citizenship, and social-emotional learning. Senior Consultant,

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05/13/2024 | , Eye-Catching Résumés for a Headship Are Accomplishment Driven

More often than not, as a job seeker your résumé precedes you. It is the first impression a potential school has of you – and is usually a quick one. At Carney, Sandoe & Associates, we see hundreds of résumés for aspiring and current heads of school each year. Some catch our eye and capture

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04/28/2024 | The Role of the President/Head of School in Strengthening Student Engagement

In the heart of leadership, our mission goes far beyond the boardroom. As a consultant trusted to guide the appointment of leaders in esteemed institutions, I’ve discovered the immeasurable value of strengthening student engagement. Serving as a president in the president/principal model for over two decades, I’ve also had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the

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Carney, Sandoe & Associates | (617) 542-0260 | Interested in finding a school job you love?

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