Strategenius on behalf of-

The Helix School - Interim Executive Director

$250,000-$260,000/yrSan Rafael, CA, USDirector Level

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About This Role

LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

\*\*Only candidates who apply via this link outside of Indeed will be considered: https://bit.ly/Helix\_InterimED\_AppForm

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Helix School seeks an Interim Executive Director to provide steady, experienced leadership during a planned transition, serving for the 2026\-2027 school year. The Interim Executive Director will serve as the chief executive of The Helix School, reporting to the Board of Directors and working in close partnership with a strong, committed Leadership Team.

Since its founding in 2014, The Helix School has grown significantly and is now focused on strengthening the operational infrastructure, financial discipline, and staff culture necessary to support its next chapter. The Interim Executive Director will be asked to make meaningful progress on those fronts while honoring the mission, relationships, and spirit that make Helix exceptional.

The right candidate is a seasoned operational leader with a genuine understanding of and passion for the population Helix serves. Experience in special education and familiarity with the nonpublic school landscape are important assets in this role. Above all, this is someone who can earn the trust of families, staff, and the Board quickly, lead through change with both firmness and heart, and set the stage for the permanent Executive Director who will follow.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

The Helix School's next Interim Executive Director will arrive at a meaningful moment in the School's evolution. Significant growth has created the need for stronger systems, sharper financial discipline, and a staff culture that reflects the School's next chapter. In partnership with the Board of Directors and a strong Leadership Team, the Interim Executive Director will focus on four priorities during the 2026\-2027 school year:

Building and implementing the operational and HR infrastructure the School needs to run with greater consistency and accountability
Working alongside the Director of Finance to bring greater financial discipline and sustainability to day\-to\-day operations
Protecting and strengthening the interdisciplinary clinical model that sits at the heart of the Helix program
Advancing the Helix brand and deepening donor, parent, and community relationships in close collaboration with the Directors of Development and Admissions

Above all, the Interim Executive Director will set the stage for the permanent Executive Director who will follow, ensuring a strong, stable foundation from which the next chapter of The Helix School can be built.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Board Relations

Execute and administer Board policies, serving as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and day\-to\-day School operations.
Report regularly to the Board on School matters and maintain accountability for effective, professional institutional management.
Articulate, model, and implement the mission and philosophy of the School across all programs and activities.
Advise the Board on near\-term priorities and keep Board members well\-informed on School operations, staff culture, and progress during the leadership transition.

Personnel Management

Hire, supervise, evaluate, and develop all School employees, building a high\-performing, mission\-aligned team.
Administer disciplinary actions and terminations as necessary, in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.
Foster a collaborative, student\-centered team culture and provide ongoing professional development opportunities.

External Relations and Advancement

Oversee all external\-facing operations, including admissions, recruitment, marketing, and community engagement.
Serve as the School’s primary representative for public relations, building and sustaining strong relationships with families, school districts, funders, and community partners.

Fundraising and Development

Working alongside the Director of Development, cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners.

Financial and Facilities Management

Oversee the School’s day\-to\-day financial operations, including implementation of the annual operations plan and budget.
Collaborate with staff on the budget development process and present recommendations to the Board.
Ensure the proper maintenance of the School’s facilities and grounds.
Advise the Board in its primary duty to safeguard the School’s financial health over both the near and long term.

Academic Programs and Student Services

Champion and protect The Helix School's interdisciplinary model, ensuring that clinical services and teaching faculty continue to function as an integrated team in service of each student.
Direct the School’s academic, nonacademic, and co\-curricular programming, including curriculum planning, development, and evaluation.
Oversee student supervision, evaluation, graduation, discipline, and separation or expulsion processes.
Ensure ongoing compliance with NPS regulatory requirements, district contracts, and IEP obligations; serve as the School's primary point of accountability with district funding partners and the California Department of Education.
Assess the effectiveness of all School operations and programs and report findings to the Board.
Keep the Board and all relevant constituencies informed about School developments and performance.

Daily Operations and Community Engagement

Manage the School’s day\-to\-day activities, including participation in School functions, assemblies, meetings, and events.
Maintain a visible, engaged presence across all aspects of School life. This position requires substantial time commitments beyond regular hours, including evenings and weekends.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those submitted by Friday, June 19, 2026

For more information on the position and instructions on HOW TO APPLY, view the full Job Description at https://bit.ly/Helix\_InterimED.

Job Type: Full\-time

Pay: $250,000\.00 \- $260,000\.00 per year

Benefits: