Head of School at Sankoré International School

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Vision
• Co-create and steward a compelling vision with SHOFCO, staff, families, and learners
• Translate vision into measurable goals across organizational domains
• Communicate and collaborate with the Governing Board, founders, and relevant SHOFCO team members, including creation of structures for regular reporting, meeting, etc.
• Oversee and manage growth of one grade per year until campus serves Prek-Grade 12 learners and families
• Uphold the school’s mission in daily decisions, especially when challenging
• Use data and evidence of learning to drive schoolwide reflection
• Champion innovation while maintaining coherence and rigor
• Create norms and rhythms for team and school life
• Hold coherence across different parts of the school ecosystem
• Adapt based on feedback, knowing when to shift and when to stay the course
• Transition Sankoré from start-up to a self-sustaining institution
• Culture Building & Community
• Foster a joyful, inclusive, values-driven school culture
• Model learner agency, cultural responsiveness, and shared ownership
• Facilitate meaningful family engagement and partnership, including regular family workshops, events, and effective conflict management when necessary
• Build belonging and integration across our diverse families (and track their perceptions and feedback through surveys, regular meetings etc)
• Engage local and global community partners
• Represent the school publicly at events, with donors, at conferences, etc.
• Tell the story of the school—build a narrative that attracts, retains, and inspires all stakeholders
• Team Management and Development
• Hire, develop, and support a high-performing team of Learning Guides, operational and
• administrative staff, and leaders
• Cultivate a culture of distributed leadership, trust, and psychological safety
• Model and protect work-life balance through reasonable expectations, schedules, and communication norms
• Design and implement systems for observation, feedback, coaching, evaluation, and growth aligned with Sankoré’s values
• Listen regularly and act on staff feedback via surveys, 1:1s, etc
• Support staff through life transitions, offering flexibility when possible (e.g., parenting, illness, grief)
• Handle performance and difficult conversations with clarity and care
• Work with the Head of Operations to ensure smooth, safe, beautiful campus life
• Work with the Head of Inclusion to create sustainable center for inclusion, learning support, and counseling services
• Work with the Head of Learning and Innovation to ensure curriculum and pedagogy align with Sankoré learning vision and that learners meet competencies and character growth goals
• Learner Champion
• Be a visible presence for learners—lunch, recess, assemblies, performances
• Ensure student voice and agency are alive and growing
• Celebrate learning and growth publicly—recognition, exhibitions, showcases
• Set and enforce behavioral norms grounded in restorative practice
• Support wellbeing and child protection with clear policies and relational care
• Governance & Compliance
• Ensure accreditation, licensing, and compliance with Kenyan and international standards
• Collaborate with Head of Operations and School Director on budgeting, fundraising, and
• strategic planning and ensure school operates with excellence and within budget
• Steward resources wisely help shape and uphold the school budget
• Represent Sankoré to stakeholders, including government, donors, and peers
• Manage risk across safety, security, and liability
• In the founding stage, work with the Sankoré leadership team to manage construction timelines and communication with families and set up school-wide systems: admissions, assessment, evaluation, policies, handbooks, schedules, culture norms.

About You

• You are an ethical and entrepreneurial leader with a track record of operational and pedagogical excellence.

You have the following experience:

• 10+ years in education, with significant leadership (Head of School, Executive Director, etc.)
• Founded or significantly scaled a school or learning organization
• Experience leading senior leaders across academic, operations, and inclusion domains
• Familiar with progressive, inquiry-focused curricula (e.g. PYP, Reggio, Montessori, Waldorf, Kenyan Competency-Based Curriculum)
• Knowledge of Kenyan/international accreditation and regulatory requirements