Organizational Overview
Founded in 1999, the German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV) currently has more than 500 enrolled students with graduates who qualify for both European and American universities. Our school community consists of three campus locations in the Bay Area: Mountain View, Berkeley, and San Francisco – all offering bilingual German/English programs and adhering to the same educational philosophy, curriculum guidelines.
Our commitment is to ensure students reach their full academic potential in a nurturing environment that fosters critical and imaginative thinking, a passion for lifelong learning and an appreciation for cultural diversity. The school is one of only five recognized German foreign schools in the United States and the only one offering a High School Diploma on the West Coast. Advantages of being accredited as a German foreign school include report cards recognized in Germany, accredited diplomas (Abitur and High School Diploma,) and ongoing support from the German government.

For more information about GISSV, please visit http://www.gissv.org.

GISSV Berkeley and GISSV San Francisco
GISSV's Berkeley Campus first opened in August of 2007, after a parent-led task force identified a number of families interested in German-English bilingual education in the East Bay. In 2012 the school moved its East Bay campus from Kensington to the landmark Hillside School, located in the heart of Berkeley, California. The German International School of Silicon Valley has acquired the national landmark site after 86 years of ownership by the Berkeley public school system. GISSV Berkeley currently has 85 students enrolled in Grades Pre-K to 6.

In August 2011 and based on significant interest and support from parents GISSV has opened its third campus in San Francisco. GISSV's San Francisco Campus is located in the Presidio and occupies two separate buildings. GISSV San Francisco currently has 37 students enrolled in Grades K to 2.

GISSV is committed to establish full pre-K/K to Grade 8 programs in Berkeley and San Francisco.

Strengths
GISSV is marked by a strong sense of community, family, and a very collegial atmosphere. Its small size allows all children to be familiar to the teachers. The children are very confident, accepting, diverse, and have great relationships with each other. GISSV has a strong sense of spirit and attending GISSV is an experience that never leaves our alumni. GISSV graduates emerge from the school’s supportive, nurturing environment with the confidence to lead and learn knowing that education should be empowering and enjoyable, that their voice matters, that good character is as important as strong math and science skills, and that they have a community cheering for their success.

GISSV recently acquired an historic campus site in Berkeley and is fortunate to have been able to lease two beautiful buildings in the San Francisco Presidio. The Principal of these two school locations will be able to assist with creating a strategic and facilities master plan, while utilizing the campus locations to their fullest potential. The Principal will also have the opportunity to work with a cohesive, professional, committed faculty and staff, and wonderful families.

Challenges
The Principal will need to grow the GISSV’s Berkeley and San Francisco communities by increasing enrollment with a strategic goal of an average of 15 students per grade over the next 5 years. Establishing GISSV’s identity and increasing awareness of GISSV in the San Francisco and East Bay areas will be key to achieving this result. The Principal will have to manage GISSV’s older facilities in Berkeley, lead efforts to secure additional space for the San Francisco campus and deliver GISSV’s top-notch academic program in a fiscally-conservative manner.
The Principal is expected to develop an overarching capital campaign and fundraising strategy in close cooperation with the Development Staff of GISSV.
Balancing the short term needs of GISSV with its long term vision in order to please multiple constituents will also be a challenge.

Professional Background
The Principal should possess excellent professional experience and credentials that include a strong combination of some or all of the following:

• Finance and budget experience
• Administrative experience, including leadership experience with faculty
• Experience working in an independent school setting
• Experience working with parents and the community
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees
• Experience in curriculum development
• Experience with increasing enrollment and building school awareness
• Fundraising experience with active participation in development initiatives
• Minimum 8 years of experience as a teacher and/or administrator of elementary/middle school-aged students
• Proven record of excellence in teaching and learning
• Advanced degree, preferably in educational administration

Personal qualities

• Team builder who inspires administrators, faculty and students
• Collaborative and visionary leadership style
• Ability to delegate and successfully lead a team of administrators and faculty
• An engaging and authentic individual who leads with flexibility, transparency, and the highest standards of integrity
• Excellent communicator with superb written and oral communication skills that will capture and effectively communicate the school’s mission to all constituencies and enrich the school’s culture
• Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills
• A naturally outgoing leader who can connect with and be responsive to all constituents
• Advanced German and English language skills (native speaker level)
• Experienced in both German and American educational systems and cultures

Application Procedures
Interested candidates should email a cover letter stating their interest in this position, a resume, a leadership and educational philosophy statement pertinent to GISSV, and a list of 3-5 references to: jobs@gissv.org.

Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Application Deadline: until filled