Our students - Curious. Intelligent. Empathic. Bursting with potential. This is Lab.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Lab School of Washington is an innovative learning community fostering scholarship and creativity in students with language-based learning differences. In an environment of inquiry and hands-on exploration, Lab School students learn to advocate for themselves as they become engaged and compassionate members of a global society.
ABOUT LAB ONLINE
Lab Online is a fully remote, auxiliary program of the Lab School of Washington. The pandemic required every school in the world to learn new skills. One of the things we learned is that our School is not defined by our physical buildings and boundaries. Out of our experiences with COVID, we learned that we can make an impact on student learning in a virtual world, and it was this realization that prompted us to create Lab Online in the spring of 2021. Since that time, this new endeavor has grown from the seed of an idea to a program currently serving 21 students from around the United States and the world (primarily in grades 3-8) through core academic courses and virtual 1:1 tutoring.
THE POSITION: DIRECTOR OF LAB ONLINE
The Director of Lab Online will be responsible for all aspects of leadership for Lab Online, the virtual programs of the Lab School of Washington. This is a fully remote, year‐round administrative position; the start date is flexible, but ideally will be no later than August 1, 2024. The Director of Lab Online reports to the Chief Finance and Operations Officer and is supported by the Head of School, Associate Head of School, Director of Enrollment Management, and Director of Technology.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Acting as the educational and business leader of Lab Online, responsible for its day-to-day operations.
- Overseeing the delivery of educational programs to students, which includes responsibility for the creation and evaluation of faculty/student programs and schedules.
- Evaluating and adapting online educational technologies and methodologies to enhance student learning.
- Communicating in effective, efficient, timely, and meaningful ways with parents/guardians, faculty, staff, and students.
- Promoting and modeling Lab’s community norms, mission, philosophy, and beliefs.
- Embracing Lab’s arts-integrated approach and Academic Club methodology and adapting them in appropriate ways for an online environment.
- In collaboration with the CFOO, creating and implementing a budget that capitalizes on the opportunity for auxiliary revenue for the School’s operational budget.
- In collaboration with the Admissions and Enrollment Management team, guiding families through the inquiry, admissions, and enrollment process for all online programs.
- In collaboration with the CFOO and the Institutional Advancement office, developing and executing a marketing plan, including, but not limited to, social media, school fairs, and educational conferences.
- Working closely with the CFOO to develop a multi-year business plan that allows for program growth.
- Identifying and building connections with potential partners (for example the State Department or Defense Department) to grow and develop the program’s potential to provide a source for LD education for families independent of geographic location or circumstance.
- Working in concert with the CFOO and Head of School to hire, retain, support, and supervise an expert faculty.
- Actively promoting, supporting, and enhancing a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Promoting a safe and secure online working, learning, and teaching environment.
- This position will involve some travel for recruitment and connection with prospective families, as well as enrolled students and faculty.
WHO SHOULD APPLY: PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & QUALITIES
The ideal candidate will have many of the following attributes:
- Administrative experience in an online, hybrid, or technologically-rich in-person school environment.
- Understanding and commitment to Lab’s mission and culture.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and a strong attention to detail.
- An entrepreneurial, innovative, and business-oriented mindset, both critical to building and growing a new program.
- Strong technological savvy, including a facility with and willingness to develop AI opportunities and assistive technology to enhance instruction and student experience.
- Strength in organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
- Proven success at working collaboratively in educational leadership.
- Experience working with students with language-based learning differences (including dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing, ADHD).
- Solid knowledge of reading and writing instruction for students with learning differences.
- A generous spirit, calm and positive attitude, and sense of humor.
- Confidence balanced by humility.
- Intellectual curiosity, and an analytical approach to problem solving.
The Lab School of Washington is an inclusive and welcoming school that celebrates diversity, including race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other status protected by applicable law. We welcome candidates representing the diversity of today’s global world.
The Lab School of Washington is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding employees through a compensation plan that compares favorably with those of peer schools. A full benefits package includes retirement and medical/dental coverage.
THE SEARCH PROCESS & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Lab is currently exploring the engagement of a search firm to assist with this search. In the meantime, interested applicants may submit the following to begin a conversation with the School about this role:
- A cover letter indicating the candidate’s particular interest in and qualifications for the position.
- A current résumé.
- A statement of educational philosophy and/or other supporting materials (e.g., articles or speeches).
Interested candidates are asked to submit the above documents and a completed Lab School employment application to Diana Meltzer, Associate Head of School, at this web address.
The search will be ongoing and the position may begin at any time based on the candidate’s availability. Ideally an appointment will be made no later than August 1, 2024.