Akiba Yavneh Academy

Co-Head of School, Jewish Life and Learning

Dallas, TX

Introduction  

Akiba Yavneh Academy (AYA) is a Modern Orthodox, coeducational, early childhood through 12th grade, college-preparatory school in Dallas, Texas. The school provides an academically excellent and values-based General and Judaic education to Jewish students of all backgrounds, inspiring a lifelong love of Torah, higher learning, and the State of Israel.

AYA educates the whole child by recognizing the unique potential of each student, fostering a culture of respect and kindness, and promoting a strong sense of community. The school pursues excellence through a rigorous dual curriculum and celebrates the diversity within its community of learners by offering innovative and differentiated learning opportunities that address each student’s developmental needs. Graduates go on to achieve distinction at leading universities and yeshivot, carrying forward the intellectual curiosity and Jewish values cultivated at AYA.

This is an especially exciting time to join Akiba Yavneh Academy as the school embarks on a transformative, fully funded, multi-year initiative—the AYA Atid Plan—to reinvent the model for American Jewish day schools and deliver a 5-star experience for all AYA students, families, and educators. Based on extensive research into best practices for elevating education and improving affordability, the AYA Atid Plan aims to:

• Create an environment where teachers thrive and are supported in exceptional instruction
• Deliver a holistic educational experience that meets each student’s individual needs and offers meaningful and relevant Jewish learning
• Prepare students for yeshivot, top colleges, and 21st-century careers
• Center community and leverage the wisdom, talent, and moral support of its members
• Offer tuition that is accessible for families and sustainable for the community

As AYA implements this ambitious vision, the school is poised to strengthen its role as a center of Jewish learning, leadership, and community in Dallas and beyond. The next Co-Head of School will join a vibrant, forward-thinking institution deeply supported by committed families and lay leaders and will have the opportunity to shape not only the future of AYA, but the broader conversation about the sustainability and impact of Jewish day school education.

AYA at a Glance

Facts and Figures

Enrollment: 465

§ Early Childhood Program (Infants-4): 85

§ Elementary School (Kindergarten-6th): 222

§ Upper School (7th-12th): 158

Employees: 123

Operating Budget: $11M

Annual Fundraising: $1.1M

Endowment: $14M

Accreditation: COGNIA

On the Web:  https://www.akibayavneh.org/

Position

Akiba Yavneh Academy (AYA) seeks a visionary and mission-driven Co-Head of School, Jewish Life and Learning to guide the Jewish identity, culture, and educational excellence of the school.

The Co-Head of School will share executive leadership of the school with the Co Head of School for Academics and Operations. Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the Co-Head of School will oversee the AYA’s Jewish identity, Judaic Studies, and community-facing initiatives, while the Co-Head of School, Academics and Operations manages general academics, faculty, and day-to-day operations. Together, they will form a collaborative leadership team to advance the AYA Atid Plan and ensure excellence across all dimensions of school life.

The Co-Head of School will also shape the spiritual and intellectual life of the community, deepen engagement among students and families, and represent AYA across the broader Jewish landscape. This role requires a leader who can balance strategic vision with relational presence, someone who will be a visible, approachable force in the life of the school and the wider community.

Goals and Expected Outcomes for the Co-Head of School

Over the first several years, the Co-Head of School will work collaboratively with lay and professional leaders to achieve the following outcomes:

• 5-Star Experience: Contribute to AYA’s goal of delivering a 5-star experience for students, parents, and educators, with a focus on enhancing satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
• Judaic Instruction: Conduct a comprehensive review of Judaic Studies and Hebrew curricula (Early Childhood–12) and develop a multi-year enhancement plan aligned with AYA’s Modern Orthodox mission and educational excellence.
• Talent Development: Attract, develop, and retain mission-aligned Judaic faculty who embody a passion for learning and Jewish values, creating a strong and sustainable talent pipeline.
• Community Engagement: Launch new opportunities for Jewish learning and engagement across the AYA community, including parent education, family programming, and community partnerships.
• Communication & Visibility: Partner with the Co-Head of School, Academics and Operations and Board to communicate the vision and progress of the AYA Atid Plan, strengthening AYA’s profile locally and nationally.
• Enrollment & Growth: Collaborate with admissions and marketing to drive enrollment toward full capacity and position AYA as the school of choice for Jewish families from Conservative through centrist Orthodox backgrounds.
• Development & Advancement: Partner with the Board and development team to expand fundraising capacity, cultivate new donors, and strengthen philanthropic support for AYA’s strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Judaic Educational Leadership

·        Provide vision, oversight, and strategic direction for all Judaic Studies and Hebrew language programming (Early Childhood–Grade 12).

·        Ensure Judaic and Hebrew curricula reflect Modern Orthodox values while welcoming students from a range of Jewish backgrounds.

·        Partner with divisional leaders and faculty to promote high-quality, mission-aligned teaching and learning.

·        Support faculty recruitment, mentoring, and professional growth to build a culture of excellence and innovation in Jewish education.

Jewish Life & Community Building

·        Foster a vibrant Jewish atmosphere across campus, uniting the school around shared values, traditions, and celebrations.

·        Serve as a visible, relational, and spiritual presence for students, parents, and staff.

·        Strengthen partnerships with rabbis, synagogues, and Jewish organizations across Dallas and beyond.

·        Model active participation in communal life and inspire engagement in Torah, mitzvot, and chesed.

External Relations & Advancement

·        Represent AYA as a compelling ambassador within the Dallas Jewish community and nationally.

·        Collaborate with the admissions and advancement teams [RV1] to drive enrollment growth and advance fundraising goals.

·        Partner with the Co-Head of School, Academics and Operations and Board to communicate AYA’s vision and progress, cultivating enthusiasm among stakeholders and supporters.

·        Champion the AYA Atid Plan and help position AYA as a national model for excellence and sustainability in Jewish day school education.

Leadership Competencies & Personal Attributes

The successful Co-Head of School / Director of Jewish Life and Learning will be an inspiring and mission-driven leader who brings both strategic vision and relational warmth to the role. The ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualities:

A creative and forward-thinking leader who can look beyond traditional models to craft and execute a compelling vision for Jewish education.

·        Deep personal commitment to Jewish learning and Modern Orthodox values, with the ability to infuse Torah, tradition, and purpose into the daily life of the school.

·        A skilled communicator who unites stakeholders—faculty, families, lay leaders, and donors—around shared goals; comfortable balancing openness to input with decisive leadership.

·        A visible, approachable presence who naturally inspires trust and connection across the school community and broader Jewish landscape.

·        Experience working with a Board and building strong, trusting relationships with lay leaders.

·        Demonstrated success in identifying, attracting, and developing exceptional educators and professionals, and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

·        Experienced in developing and executing plans that drive measurable progress in education, community engagement, enrollment, and fundraising.

·        Exceptional written and oral communication skills; capable of articulating vision, inspiring confidence, and representing AYA with warmth and authenticity.

·        Uncompromising integrity, sound judgment, and the courage to speak truthfully, especially when addressing challenges or difficult news.

·        Belief that outstanding service to students, families, and community members is at the heart of leadership; models responsiveness, empathy, and respect in every interaction.

Benefits and Compensation

Akiba Yavneh Academy offers a competitive and comprehensive compensation package for this role. The benefits package includes tuition assistance, medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a generous retirement plan.

Application Requirements

DRG is conducting this search on behalf of Akiba Yavneh Academy. Interested candidates should submit, as soon as possible, materials including the following:

·        A cover letter indicating why they are particularly interested in and qualified for the position

·        A current resume

·        A statement of leadership philosophy

Application materials should be uploaded directly on the DRG website (www.drgtalent.com) by visiting the Akiba Yavneh Academy listing.

Application Status: Accepting Applications                                              

Start date: July 2026 (or sooner if available)

This position description is based upon material provided by Akiba Yavneh Academy, an equal-opportunity employer.

To apply for this position, please click HERE.

Dara Klarfeld, CEO, dklarfeld@drgtalent.com

Tani Weissman, Partner,  tweissman@drgtalent.com

Shanna Jadwin, Talent Consultant, sjadwin@drgtalent.com