Director of Community Engagement and Belonging

Job Title:  Director of Community Engagement and Belonging   

Office or Division:  Head of School’s Office  

Effective Dates:  2025-26 School Year (12 month, 1.0 FTE) 

The Wellington School, a prekindergarten-grade 12 independent school in Columbus, Ohio, is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive education where foundational skills are developed and learning is applied through innovative, experiential approaches. Wellington takes pride in its diverse community, recognizing it as a defining strength, and the School is deeply committed to fostering engagement and belonging for all. At Wellington, every member of our community plays a critical role in upholding our values as we help students find their purpose and realize their potential for tomorrow’s world. 

Wellington’s Core Values: 

  • Be Curious  

  • Be Yourself 

  • Be Ambitious  

  • Be Empathetic  

  • Be Responsible 

About the Role

The Wellington School seeks a Director of Community Engagement and Belonging starting July 1, 2025, who will ensure that our School’s values are embedded throughout Wellington, fostering an environment where all community members feel connected, valued, and empowered to lead. This is a full-time, 12-month position that reports directly to the Head of School, is a member of the School’s leadership team, and serves as a staff liaison to the Board of Trustees.  
 
Wellington is seeking a forward-thinking leader who will take charge, advance a dynamic and influential program, and establish Wellington as a model for excellence in community engagement, belonging, and leadership development. The Director of Community Engagement and Belonging will play a pivotal role in strengthening Wellington’s position as a forward-thinking educational leader. This individual will build culture and connection, foster meaningful relationships, and develop strategic initiatives that enhance Wellington’s community and reputation. 

At Wellington, we are committed to preparing students to lead lives of success and significance. The Director of Community Engagement and Belonging will help ensure that every student is known and seen, their individual strengths cultivated, and what makes them unique celebrated and loved. By fostering an inclusive and affirming school culture, this leader will help students develop the confidence, voice, and leadership skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the world around them. 

Primary Responsibilities of the Director

The Director is responsible for advancing initiatives that promote community engagement, belonging, and leadership development, ensuring that Wellington remains a place where all members feel valued, supported, and empowered. We are seeking a relationship-driven leader who thrives on connecting with people across the School community. The Director will identify key areas of need, strengthen our capacity to address them through collaboration and shared responsibility, and take meaningful action to build community. 

-Foster a school culture where every community member experiences a strong sense of belonging, and ensure the School is listening and responding to families’ needs for support.

-Advance inclusive practices and policies for students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, the Leadership Team, and Trustees.

-Coordinate and design professional development and instructional coaching focused on engagement, belonging, cultural competence, and school culture.

-Lead Team Belonging, a faculty/staff group that coordinates belonging initiatives across the School.

-Provide guidance and support in hiring, admissions, and curriculum development to align with Wellington’s values and cultivate an inclusive community.

-Serve as a trusted presence in moments of conflict or harm, leading with active listening, mediation, advocacy, and restorative practices to rebuild trust and strengthen relationships.

-Coordinate affinity groups and mentoring programs that support students’ well-being and sense of identity.

-Work closely with the directors of student success and school counselors to integrate belonging efforts into learning support and overall student well-being.

-Utilize data analytics and engagement metrics to assess and enhance belonging initiatives, ensuring measurable impact and ongoing improvement. 

-Establish a cohesive leadership development framework spanning prekindergarten-grade 12, ensuring a clear and intentional mentoring progression—student-to-student, teacher-to-teacher, and administrator-to-administrator.

-In collaboration with division leadership, cultivate a culture of accountability and ambition, mentoring students and faculty to pursue excellence.

-Oversee internship opportunities within both Wellington and the broader community, expanding real-world learning experiences and aligning with the founders’ vision.

-Strengthen mentoring programs at all levels, reinforcing leadership development as a fundamental part of Wellington’s educational experience.

-Expand leadership and entrepreneurship programming, connecting students with mentors, business leaders, and alumni to enhance career and personal development pathways. 

-Build strategic partnerships within Central Ohio to facilitate meaningful dialogue and deepen Wellington’s community presence.

-Develop and implement recruitment and outreach strategies to attract a diverse and dynamic student body, ensuring Wellington remains a leader in inclusive education.

-Serve as the staff liaison for the Wellington Parents Association, supporting family engagement and overseeing parent education programs and workshops.

-Coordinate community outreach initiatives, expanding awareness and impact of Wellington’s mission across Central Ohio.

-Foster a warm, welcoming, and spirited community through joyful hospitality and school traditions. The Director should ensure continuity of school spirit and traditions, serving as a “keeper of all things 1982.”

-Strengthen alumni relationships, leveraging their experiences and networks to support mentorship, belonging, and community-building.

-Develop and oversee a cohesive, division-wide service-learning program, ensuring students engage meaningfully with social impact work.

-Partner with faculty, students, and division heads to organize school-wide events and celebrations that recognize cultural traditions and identity-based experiences.

-Implement data-informed decision-making to enhance community engagement, outreach effectiveness, and belonging efforts, working in collaboration with the Wellington Initiative to align strategic goals. 

Qualifications

-Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred.

-Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in education, community engagement, leadership development, or related areas.

-Experience teaching and working with children, with a deep love for helping each student reach their unique potential. Successful candidates will demonstrate a passion for education, a commitment to student growth, and the ability to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. 

-Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect effectively with diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community partners.

-Demonstrated leadership abilities, capable of inspiring and guiding teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

-Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives, particularly those that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within an educational setting.

-Proficiency in data analysis and assessment, utilizing metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

-Cultural competence and sensitivity, ensuring an inclusive environment for all community members.

-Conflict resolution and restorative practices expertise, with the ability to address conflicts and foster reconciliation within the community.

-Strong project management skills, including the ability to design, implement, and oversee programs and events that align with the School’s mission and values.

-Visionary and strategic thinking, with the capacity to anticipate future trends and challenges, positioning the School as a leader in community engagement and belonging. 

-Empathy and approachability, creating a supportive atmosphere where individuals feel valued and heard.

-Adaptability and resilience, with the ability to navigate and lead through change effectively.

-Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, staying informed about best practices and emerging trends in diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement. 

Compensation and Benefits

Wellington offers highly competitive salaries, aligning with those at top independent schools in the area. For new hires, compensation is based on experience and training, following Wellington’s benchmark scales. The specific salary range for this position will be discussed early in the hiring process. 
 
The School’s benefits can be found here.

Candidates should send materials before April 4 to Christine Conkle, executive assistant to the head of school, at conkle@wellington.org.  All candidates should include: 

Please let us know if you have any special circumstances that could impact your search timeline, interview availability, or decision-making for the upcoming year. 

We believe every person plays a role in making Wellington a diverse, equitable, and inclusive place to learn, teach, and work. We seek to attract culturally and academically diverse faculty and staff who thrive on being engaged participants in our vibrant, innovative educational community. We embrace diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of our admission policies, financial aid, or employment.