ABOUT THE MANVILLE SCHOOL & THE BAKER CENTER

The Manville School is a division of The Baker Center, a multi-service children’s mental health and special education organization. Manville is a therapeutic day school providing special education, clinical, and behavioral support for students in kindergarten through tenth grade with complex social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs. The Manville School is highly regarded as a private special education school in Massachusetts and has a long history of helping students achieve successful outcomes. Students and their caregivers receive comprehensive educational, clinical, behavioral, and family engagement support with a model of care tailored to every student. Manville integrates innovative educational programs and comprehensive, evidence-based clinical services to ensure students with challenging needs experience academic success, social development, and emotional growth. Manville School emphasizes cultural awareness and responsiveness as important values that guide our work, ensuring that every student is welcomed and supported in the Manville community. At Manville, students and their families who are struggling to succeed academically and personally can get a second chance to live up to their potential. Manville believes that every student, with the appropriate support and guidance, can achieve success. Visit https://jbcc.harvard.edu/manville-school to learn more about the Manville School.

The Manville School is a key program of the Baker Center, which was named in honor of the first judge of Boston Juvenile Court, Harvey Humphrey Baker, who dedicated his life to breaking the stigma of delinquency through the combined power of research and treatment. Over a century later, The Baker Center is nationally recognized for its commitment to changing the lives of children and families with the most effective, scientifically proven mental health and special education services. As an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, with campuses in Mission Hill and Waltham, the center is a continuum of care that closes the gap between science and practice to provide the highest quality care wherever it is needed the most. Please visit jbcc.harvard.edu to learn more.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the CEO/President of The Baker Center, the Director of the Manville School oversees all of Manville School’s programs and services, and with the Manville leadership team, provides overall leadership and sets the vision for the school. This is a highly dynamic and exciting opportunity to lead an innovative and well-respected special education therapeutic school with a long history of success. In partnership with the CEO and senior management team, the Director develops and implements strategic goals for the Manville School and ensures that Manville leadership and staff are working together to achieve successful outcomes that are consistent with the overall mission of the Baker Center. The Director oversees all operations of the school with 8 direct reports, and over 40 indirect reports, and 111 staff. 

A successful Director will develop highly effective collaborative relationships with both the multidisciplinary staff of Manville as well as external stakeholders and parents. The Director will represent Manville in professional settings and act as the face of the school with state, local, and community constituents. The Director should be a seasoned professional who understands both the world of special education as well as the unique needs and characteristics of a therapeutic school. A background and experience in both special education and clinical settings are highly desirable.  The Director will implement the highly effective model that Manville is known and respected for, while also looking for opportunities to further develop and improve the school. The Director will develop and nurture a collaborative and results-driven culture in the pursuit of excellence using clearly identified goals and benchmarks with clear metrics to measure outcomes.

The Director will work closely with the CEO and VP of Finance to ensure that Manville is reaching its full potential, is consistent with the high standards of the Baker Center and is successfully adapting to current needs. The Director will be fiscally responsible for the budget of the Manville School, will develop and maintain a balanced budget, and will prepare and present reports as required or requested. It is also the Director’s responsibility to ensure that the target census of students is maintained or exceeded and that the Manville School is appropriately staffed to meet students’ needs. The Director will also work with the senior staff and CEO to identify growth and business development opportunities to expand Manville’s impact and further develop and sustain the Baker Center’s special education programs. The Director will ensure that Manville is compliant with all requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as well as those of local school districts. Finally, the Director will be an integral part of the Baker Center management team, working with other organizational leaders, the Board of Trustees, and Baker Center staff. The Director will be the champion of the Manville School and lead the school into the next decade.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• An advanced degree in Education, Social Work or Psychology, or related field, with the corresponding Massachusetts License
• 10+ years of experience within a special educational setting with 5+ years in a leadership role
• 5+ years of experience working in a therapeutic or clinical setting
• Demonstrated exceptional leadership, communication, transparency, listening skills, collaboration, innovation, and creative problem solving
• Proven and effective change-agent with a demonstrated track record of success

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Full-time position, with a salary range of $130,000 – $165,000 annually, depending on experience, knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. A full benefits package, including generous paid time off, a great retirement/contribution program, health insurance, and more, will be offered.

CONTACT

Tamar Axelrad, Principal Executive Recruitment Strategist, has been exclusively retained for this search. To express your interest in this role, please submit your materials directly at tamar@rtsassoc.com, or call 617-272-0087 with inquiries. All discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

The Baker Center embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

We foster a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.