Spence seeks an Interim Head of Modern & Classical Languages to inspire and guide a dynamic Grades 5–12 program in Mandarin Chinese, French, Spanish, and Latin. The Interim Head cultivates a cohesive, forward-looking team—mentoring colleagues, championing professional growth, and steering strategic hiring—to advance a curriculum grounded in communicative proficiency, cultural fluency, and linguistic scholarship.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as immediate supervisor to the 15-member department
• Oversee department members’ professional growth feedback cycle
• Lead regular department meetings
• Ensure vertical and horizontal alignment by engaging in curriculum review and mapping across the department
• Manage placement, sectioning, staffing, and faculty searches in partnership with administrators
• Represent the department to internal and external constituencies
• Serve on school-wide committees and at admissions and outreach events
• Steward day-to-day operations and the departmental budget
• Collaborate on international trip planning to provide cultural immersion
• Mentor Student Coordinators and oversee Upper School Language Fellows supporting Middle School classes
• Teach either Mandarin Chinese or a combination of French and Spanish (based on expertise and school need)

Qualifications:

• Finds joy in working with children and in school life 
• Leads with energy, kindness and a sense of humor
• Demonstrates cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Has sustained teaching experience 
• Shows an appreciation for the craft of teaching and for the disciplines of modern and classical languages
• Possesses successful departmental or equivalent school-leadership experience
• Has led development and implementation of innovative program design  
• Demonstrates ability to foster sustained collaboration and professional growth within a team
• Demonstrates skills in communications and interpersonal relations within and across multiple constituencies 
• Holds advanced degree or equivalent experience

Spence is committed to an equitable program and a diverse faculty and student body. We therefore actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds. 

About The Spence School

The Spence School, founded in 1892, is an independent school for girls and young women with an enrollment of 750 students in Grades K–12. Spence is committed to an equitable and inclusive program and a diverse faculty, staff and student body. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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