The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, one of the premier public arts schools in the nation and the only comprehensive arts high school in the Washington, DC metro area, seeks a passionate, dynamic, and inspiring Head of School. The Head of School will join an exceptional leadership team committed to further developing this world class arts high school located in the heart of the nation’s capital.

The Head of School will be expected to maintain the School’s reputation as a nationally and internationally recognized premiere arts school, strengthen the School’s external partnerships, attract and retain a strong and talented faculty and student body, and nurture a school climate of open communication and shared vision. Priorities for the next Head of School include uniting stakeholders around an innovative vision for public arts education; partnering with the Ellington Fund to develop a sustainable business model; collaborating with faculty to enhance and better integrate the dual curriculum; and serving as a visible and engaged member of the Greater Washington community. Additionally, the Head will develop and oversee the transition plan for the 2017-18 academic year to a new home for the Duke Ellington School: a renovation of the School’s 258,072 sq. ft. building that will open up exciting new possibilities for educational growth. The Head of School will report directly to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project Board, and will work in a close, collaborative relationship with the Ellington Fund Board and its President.

The Head of School will be a creative, energetic, strategic, and communicative leader who is able to engage the arts and academic staff, students, and the parent community in a common purpose. Candidates should bring successful leadership experience in a student-centered arts school or similar educational organization based in an urban setting; strong interpersonal skills and collaborative management style; well-established relationships with broader arts and education communities; and a deep-seated understanding of the School’s educational mission to nurture and inspire passion for arts and learning in talented students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to develop their artistic skills. The next Head of School must value the School’s inclusive, creative spirit and be able to strongly and persuasively articulate the value of a Duke Ellington education to various audiences.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The Duke Ellington School has retained the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist with this important search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be submitted to the search firm in confidence at www.imsearch.com/5789. Applicants are asked to send a cover letter and resume to the following web address: www.imsearch.com/5789. Inquiries and nominations may be submitted to the same web address or to the search firm representatives at the contact information below. Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is strongly preferred. Review of nominations and applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Keight Kennedy, Senior Consultant

Brian Nwachukwu, Associate

Isaacson, Miller

1300 19th Street, N.W., Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

202-682-1504