Head of School

Can you help us build the future of learning? After supporting girls from marginalized backgrounds to thrive through globally-recognized girls leadership academies in Kibera and Mathare, SHOFCO is starting a new school! Named after Africa’s earliest and most prestigious institution of learning, Sankoré International School will prepare learners and leaders to shape the future of our communities, continent, and world! Sankoré offers an adapted international education while fostering Kenyan identity and pride. Our school is a microcosm of what we wish the world to become—a community of people from vastly different walks of life powerfully bound together in a shared journey to raise our children to discover themselves, lead purposeful and joyful lives, and make a difference for those around them. We offer sliding scale fees, with 40% tuition-free families. We will serve PP1-Grade 5 students from 2026, with a campus set on 9 acres of land in Rosslyn. We’re looking for a seasoned yet entrepreneurial Head of School to lead us through this founding phase and to build a lasting institution that will impact not only 700 learners and their families at full capacity, but schools nationally and internationally. With a founding team of 30+ Learning Guides (what schools traditionally call teachers), co-curricular experts, inclusive learning support, coaches, cooks, security, and more—your job will be to co-create and lead a vibrant culture of learning, a collaborative and trusting community of families, staff, and learners, an operationally excellent campus, and the implementation and iteration of a world-class progressive curriculum with demonstrable learning outcomes. Does this work and vision excite you? Do you think you’re the right person to spearhead this big vision and grow beyond it? If so, please read on… Job description: Head of School Reports to : Sankoré Director Location : Nairobi, Kenya About Sankoré Our Mission Sankoré nurtures the skills and strengths of character scholars need to create a better world for themselves and all of us. We offer a joyful and rigorous curriculum, a diverse learning community, and integrated sporting, STEAM, music, and nature play-based activities in service of holistic development. Rooted in our values, we co-create the world we want to live in with our scholars, families, and educators. Our Values Consciousness Curiosity Courage Continuous Growth Creativity Community citizenship About the job As we bring Sankoré International School to life, the Founding Head of School will play an essential role in ensuring we create a joyful, rigorous, and relevant learning environment for learners, families, and Sankoré staff. As the Founding Head of School, you will shape what Sankoré is and will be. You will support and lead an executive leadership team—including the Heads of Learning & Innovation, Inclusion, and Operations—and ensure our school delivers on its promise to be a “center of excellence for changemakers, by changemakers”. We aren't walking into a school – we're building one together. The work will be hard, and it will be worth it! 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 You demonstrate the following strengths: Strategic vision paired with operational discipline Strong communication, interpersonal, and relational skills Exceptional emotional intelligence and cultural humility Courageous leadership, rooted in care and integrity Dedication to equity, inclusion, and decolonizing education Lifelong learner with a deep belief in the power of community Deep trust in and respect for children as people who are capable of carving out their own path of learning. The ability to see the best in each student/team/community member and bring that forth in them. The aptitude to embrace uncertainty and failure as learning opportunities and adapt and evolve. The highest degree of integrity and self-awareness and the humility to openly acknowledge your own mistakes.

To apply, please email the following materials to [email protected]. The subject of your email should be: Your name, Head of School Application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis but are due no later than 1 August 2025. 1. Curriculum Vitae 2. Cover Letter (max 2 pages) addressing: - Your motivation for this role - Relevant experiences leading transformational educational initiatives - Your vision for education and how you’ll bring it to life at Sankoré - Your expected salary range 3. Optional Video (max 2 minutes): A brief introduction and why this role matters to you