Job Description
JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Middle-Upper School
REPORTS TO: Director of Middle-Upper School
DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: Delegated oversight of Middle-Upper Faculty and Staff
STATUS: Salary, 40 hours/week, Teacher Contract
JOB SUMMARY: The Assistant Director of Middle-Upper School supports the academic, behavioral, and operational leadership of grades 7-12 in a school serving students with language-based learning differences. Working in close partnership with the Director of Middle-Upper School, this role helps ensure a structured, consistent, and supportive environment where students can access rigorous instruction aligned to their learning profiles.
This position blends student support, day-to-day division management, and some instructional leadership. The Assistant Director plays a key role in strengthening alignment and expectations across classrooms, ensuring a positive and productive student experience, and supporting faculty.
DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES & ACTIVITIES (Including Physical Function):
• Student Support and School Culture
• Support consistent implementation of behavior expectations and student support systems
• Partner with counselors, interventionists, and faculty to address student academic and social-emotional needs
• Lead in managing student discipline in a way that is clear, consistent, and aligned with school values
• Help foster a culture of accountability, belonging, and growth for all students
• Support advisory, community-building, and student leadership initiatives
• Division Operations
• Assist in the day-to-day management of the Middle-Upper School division
• Help coordinate schedules, coverage, and daily logistics
• Ensure consistency in systems such as homework, communication, and organizational expectations
• Support implementation of school-wide systems and initiatives
• Assist with planning and execution of key events (parent meetings, student events, testing, etc.)
• Communication and Partnership
• Support clear and proactive communication with families
• Partner with the Director to address parent concerns in a timely and solution-oriented manner
• Collaborate with admissions and student support teams as needed
• Support documentation and communication related to student progress and support plans
• Instructional Leadership and Faculty Support
• Support the implementation of structured literacy and research-based instructional practices across grades 7-12
• Partner with teachers to strengthen differentiation, scaffolding, and executive functioning supports
• Assist with curriculum alignment, pacing, and consistency across courses and grade levels
• Provide coaching, feedback, and informal observations to support teacher growth
• Help lead professional development and ongoing training aligned to the school’s mission
• Alignment with School Culture
• Commitment to Briarwood’s mission, purpose, and culture
• Maintain a positive, collaborative working culture aligned with the school’s mission
• Participate in any accreditation process for the school
• Attend all staff meetings and staff retreats
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Middle-Upper School and the Interim Head of School
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The Assistant Director of Middle-Upper demonstrates flexibility, perseverance, resourcefulness, critical thinking and creativity, collaboration, self-awareness, the ability to listen well and seek understanding, strong organizational skills, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing. In addition, he/she demonstrates the following:
• Experience working with students with language-based learning differences (e.g., dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD)
• Strong understanding of structured literacy and evidence-based instructional practices
• Demonstrated experience in instructional coaching, leadership, or administration
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, families, and faculty
• Commitment to a mission-driven environment focused on student growth and support
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
• Master’s degree required
• 5+ years of teaching experience required; experience teaching in independent schools and in an LD environment preferred
• Previous leadership experience at the division or department level preferred
KEY ATTRIBUTES:
• Calm, steady, and solutions-oriented
• Highly organized with strong follow-through
• Able to balance support and accountability with both students and adults
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Grounded in the belief that all students can learn and deserve instruction aligned to how they learn best