Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees

Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees

Position Overview

The Assistant to the Head of School and Board of Trustees provides high-level executive and administrative support to the Head of School, facilitates the work of the School’s leadership team, and serves as a key liaison to the Board of Trustees. This role is central to supporting the effective functioning of the Head of School and the School’s leadership team, ensuring that priorities are thoughtfully coordinated, communication is seamless, and all functions related to the Head of School’s office are managed with efficiency and care.

As a trusted partner to the Head of School, the Assistant manages complex schedules, anticipates needs, coordinates strategic initiatives, and exercises sound judgment in navigating sensitive matters. The role requires exceptional organizational skills, discretion, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and a strong understanding of the importance of relationships within a collaborative school community.

The ideal candidate is proactive, highly resourceful, and deeply committed to supporting Nightingale’s mission and values. They bring a service-oriented mindset, a high degree of professionalism, and the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining a warm, thoughtful, and solutions-focused approach in school setting that values relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support to the Head of School

• Provide high-level executive support to the Head of School, managing a complex and evolving schedule, anticipating needs, and proactively prioritizing competing demands.
• Manage the Head of School’s communications, including email, phone calls, and correspondence, exercising discretion and judgment in prioritizing, responding, and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Coordinate meetings, appointments, and school-related engagements, including agendas, materials, logistics, communications, and follow-up, while supporting the effective functioning of the Leadership Team.
• Support the Head of School’s travel and external engagements, including itineraries, accommodations, conference registrations, and other related logistics.
• Manage the Head of School’s administrative and financial responsibilities, including credit card expenses, expense reconciliation, and related recordkeeping.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, increase efficiency, and enhance executive effectiveness while maintaining confidentiality and data privacy.
• Be present in meetings when requested, to take clear minutes and meeting notes for Leadership Team and other meetings capturing key decisions, action items, owners, and next steps.

Board of Trustees Support

• Serve as the primary administrative liaison to the Board of Trustees, providing responsive, professional, and discreet support to Trustees, the Head of School, and Leadership Team.
• Coordinate all Board and committee meetings, including scheduling, agendas, materials, Board packets, logistics, and timely distribution of information.
• Attend Board meetings, prepare accurate minutes, and track decisions, action items, and follow-up to support effective governance and accountability.
• Maintain accurate and confidential Board records, including Trustee terms, committee assignments, contact information, governance documents, meeting schedules, and related materials.
• Coordinate Trustee onboarding, orientation, communications, and Board engagement activities to ensure Trustees have the information and support needed to participate effectively.
• Provide administrative support to the Head of School and Board in advancing the School’s strategic priorities, exercising sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in all Board-related matters.

School Community and Leadership Support

• Build strong, collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, Trustees, families, and external constituents, serving as a welcoming and professional point of contact for the Head of School’s office.
• Collaborate with the school’s Divisional assistants and participate in meetings as a group when appropriate.
• Partner with the Director of People and Culture with ProCom recognition efforts.
• Coordinate leadership gatherings, school-wide events, and special engagements when needed ensuring thoughtful planning and attention to detail.
• Exercise sound judgment and emotional intelligence when navigating sensitive interpersonal dynamics and confidential matters, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes through the use of AI to strengthen communication, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the Head of School’s office.

Qualifications And Key Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience, with at least five years of executive or senior-level administrative experience, preferably in a corporate or mission-driven organization.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including strong editing, proofreading, correspondence-writing, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex calendars, competing priorities, detailed logistics, and multiple deadlines while anticipating the needs of senior leadership and working proactively with minimal supervision.
• Advanced proficiency with Google Workspace and experience with digital collaboration, scheduling, document management, and database systems, with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies.
• Proficiency in using AI and emerging technologies to improve administrative efficiency, correspondence, research, document management, and workflow optimization, with a strong understanding of responsible use and data privacy.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Warm, professional, and emotionally intelligent interpersonal style, with the ability to build trusted relationships and collaborate effectively with individuals across a diverse and dynamic school community.
• Flexible, resilient, and solutions-oriented, with a genuine commitment to Nightingale’s mission and the ability to remain composed, resourceful, and effective in a fast-paced, highly relational environment.

SALARY

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, this position's annual salary range is $160,000-$175,000. When extending an offer, Nightingale considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter and resume online at https://www.nightingale.org/careers.

ABOUT THE NIGHTINGALE-BAMFORD SCHOOL

Founded by two bold, visionary educators in 1920, The Nightingale-Bamford School’s mission is to inspire girls to go beyond barriers. Tied to this mission is a broader vision of students who are joyful learners who have the intellectual depth and courage to be critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and agents of their own lives. Nightingale educates girls’ minds and hearts and, in so doing, infuses their lives with meaningful relationships, teaching them to value difference as a means of growth and empowering them to question the status quo with confidence, empathy, resilience, and reason. Nightingale is deeply committed to cultivating a community rooted in principals of belonging and inclusion, the foundations of excellent teaching and learning. We expect all community members to engage thoughtfully and responsibly in this work.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of the School to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The School’s employment practices and decisions adhere to the principles of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity.

The School does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law, including, but not limited to, with respect to recruiting, interviewing, hiring, staffing, training, promotions, compensation practices, employee benefits, school-administered programs, discipline, and termination of employment. The School maintains zero tolerance for violations of this policy and expects all employees to abide by and support this policy without reservation.

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