Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is looking for a Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to define its next chapter of DEIB work. 

Articulated during the leadership of its inaugural Director, Walnut Hill has a strong foundation in its DEIB work and mindset and recognizes that the nature of the work is always evolving; requiring ongoing reflection and creativity to meet the changing needs of the school and the world at large. The School has its eye set on nurturing intellectual artists of impact. They strive to engage in the ongoing challenge of considering what role its graduates can play not only in the beauty of their crafts, but in its impact on their communities and broader world. 

Walnut Hill School for the Arts works to ensure that these principles are woven into the formal curriculum and practice of the School. Through the guidance of the Dean of Innovative & Inclusive Pedagogy, the academic and arts faculty embed the work into their programs. Enhanced by the strong collaboration between the Director of DEIB, the Dean of Innovative & Inclusive Pedagogy, and the broader leadership team, the School advances this work from many angles and perspectives.

The Director will play a critical role as thought-partner and guide to the community in strategizing and designing systems and structures that hold community members in the creative tension of working toward these goals. They will bring their awareness of crucial program, policy, practice and people-centered work to the table, and the spaces to support the School’s DEIB work. 

This is a full-time, 12-month, position on the Senior Leadership Team.

See the attached position statement for more details about this opportunity.

All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events and supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice. 

Opportunities & Challenges

The School is committed to its ongoing reflection, design and implementation of its DEIB mission. The incoming Director will have the opportunity to work on some of the following efforts:

• Evaluating the School’s current DEIB programs and progress;
• Working with the community to redefine its DEIB and anti-racism statements and goals;
• Advancing an all-school Anti-Racism Continuum to assess and monitor progress toward the School’s vision of anti-racism;
• Substantial Strategic Plan initiatives connected to a multicultural and global curricular emphasis;
• Taking the School’s focus on Restorative Practices into its next chapter of evolution with talented allies and collaborators;
• Partnering with the leadership team to explore new ways to deepen a vision of and strategies to align the identities of artist and social impactor;
• Utilizing research to educate and engage the community in evolving practices of DEIB in the next decade;
• Defining the desired DEIB outcomes and how best to assess the impact of the DEIB work;
• Continuing efforts to recruit, support and retain a diverse faculty and staff; 
• Managing an Assistant Director of DEIB; and 
• Engaging all students in a community with significant queer and international representation.

Requirements & Qualifications 

• Previous experience working in a high school or educational setting, with a focus on DEIB: boarding school or residential community experience a plus; 
• Demonstrated understanding of systemic issues related to DEIB, and a commitment to addressing them within an educational context; 
• Experience with Restorative Practices and/or a Restorative school culture; 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders; 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and personal growth in the areas of DEIB; and
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; master’s degree preferred.

Personal Attributes 

• A strong understanding of the unique dynamics of a boarding community and the needs of its members, especially those of adolescents; 
• A demonstrated portfolio of collaborative work which works towards a vision through using the strengths and perspectives of others;
•  Deep knowledge of current best practices and innovation in curriculum, pedagogy, and student life related to DEIB; 
• An appreciation for the dynamic impact of the arts in education and one’s world; 
• Experience facilitating workshops, training sessions, or other educational programs related to DEIB; 
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in education;
•  Experience recruiting, hiring, supporting, retaining, and leading talented, diverse, and missionaligned faculty; 
• A history of thoughtful innovation moderated by a skillful and sensitive approach to change;
•  The ability to navigate complexity, in part through effective prioritization, delegation, and management of systems; 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with inspiration and clarity across a wide range of audiences. 

Leadership Style

• Commitment to hard work and creative problem solving;
•  A systems thinker, who understands the interplay of internal and external systems, constituents, and priorities; 
• Commitment to distributed leadership, ensuring that the student experience and school identity benefit from the full use of the talents, skills, and experience of a wide variety of professionals; 
• The curiosity, confidence, and humility to advocate for new ideas, invite disagreement, and welcome feedback;
• A style grounded in principles and relationships; and
• Humility and ability to accept and integrate feedback.

About us:

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theatre, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community.  

Commitment to the school’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.  

Physical Demands

Physical demands include dexterity for office machine and supply operation, and the applicable artistic discipline, including but not limited to writing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy/fax machine, and printers. Stooping, bending, traveling to/from locations on campus, ascending/descending stairs, reaching and sitting or standing for extended periods of time are common.

To Apply: This is a retained search through Carney, Sandoe & Associates. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence and submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current resumé;

As the process moves forward, selected candidates may be asked to submit: 

• Responses to writing prompts specific to this search 
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) 

Submit materials to:

Heather Flewelling: heather.flewelling@carneysandoe.com 

Seliat Dairo: seliat.dairo@carneysandoe.com

Compensation & Benefits: The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $110,000-130,000 and may include on-campus housing with residential duties. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to several factors that include years of experience, education level, and expertise.

Walnut Hill offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life/disability insurance, FSA/DCA plans, generous time off, tickets to performances, and a retirement plan through TIAA with matching contributions up to 7%. 

Do not apply through the Walnut Hill Career Center. Applications will only be reviewed if submitted directly to the individuals mentioned above. 

Note: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of state and federal background checks. Walnut Hill does not provide visa sponsorship.