Posted: 26-Jan-26
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Full Time
Salary: 108,000 to $123,000
Required Education:
Title: Dean of Upper School Life Direct Reports: N/A
Reports to: Director of Upper School FLSA Status: Exempt
When Needed: 2026-2027 Academic Year FT/PT/R/T: Full-Time, 12 Months
Who We Are:
University Prep is an independent 6-12 school located in an urban residential section of Seattle, WA, one of the country’s most diverse and dynamic cities. We are a strong and vibrant community of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni who collaboratively create an exceptional educational experience for every student. The school is a place of great teaching and joyful learning; a community that joins together to raise up our children to be caring and productive adults; a place where all students and families have equitable access to all the school has to offer, and a place where we aspire for every family and student to feel equally enfranchised and at home. University Prep believes that our shared values of integrity, respect, and responsibility are essential to accomplish our mission of developing each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.
Job Summary:
University Prep is seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and inspiring Upper School Dean of Student Life to help nurture a vibrant, inclusive community where every student is known, challenged, and supported. The ideal candidate is a relationship-builder and problem-solver who brings strong communication skills, creativity, and a deep commitment to student growth and well-being.
Working in partnership with the Director of Upper School and the Dean of Students, the Dean of Upper School Life plays a key role in shaping a positive school culture, supporting students’ academic and social-emotional development, and fostering meaningful connections among students, families, and faculty. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking school that values innovation, inclusivity, and joyful learning. University Prep offers a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a dynamic professional community that encourages growth, collaboration, and lifelong learning
Specific Responsibilities:
School Leadership
- Support the Director of Upper School in all aspects of divisional operations particularly related to student life and school activities on campus and can act as Division Director in their absence.
- Serve on school committees and councils as assigned; represent the Upper School at internal and external meetings and events.
- Lead advisory meetings to gather feedback on student needs and coordinate academic or social-emotional interventions.
- Serve as a leading member of the Upper School Student Services team.
- Attend weekend events, student performances and athletic games in conjunction with Director of Upper School and Dean of Students.
- Attend and contribute to parent representative meetings and family information sessions.
- Evaluate and support Grade Level Coordinators in conjunction with Director of Upper School.
Student Life and Activities
- Foster a welcoming environment that supports students’ social and emotional well-being.
- Collaborate with the Director to foster a dynamic school culture centered on student leadership and growth.
- Collaborate with Grade Level Coordinators to design and implement advisory and community-building activities.
- Advise and mentor Upper School student government and class representatives, including planning leadership retreats and ongoing programming.
- Oversee student clubs and after school programs, including scheduling, budget management and liaising with program coaches.
Student Event Operations
- Lead, manage and attend all non-athletic Upper School events (e.g., weekly assemblies, three school dances per year, August orientations, fall overnight retreats), including scheduling, budgeting, and supervision.
- Coordinate and oversee the daily Upper School calendar, including Community Time, Flex Time and space usage.
- Plan and facilitate weekly Upper School assemblies in coordination with the Upper School ASB.
- Supervise ASB–sponsored events and activities.
- Coordinate class-specific and community activities such as new student orientations, grade-level trips, and special events.
- Assign supervision duties for lunch and other school events like Reading Day.
Assistant Lead Role for Upper School Teams
- Run Upper School division meetings with Director of Upper School and Dean of Students.
- Participate in Upper School admissions events and other outreach opportunities as a divisional representative.
- Partner with program directors (SEL, DEI, Integrated Learning, Global Link, etc.) to manage non-traditional curricular programming.
- Assist with low-level discipline cases in conjunction with Director of Upper School and Dean of Students.
Professional Growth
- Engage in ongoing professional development and model lifelong learning.
- Adhere to all school policies and safety standards, ensuring a secure environment for all community members.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in education or a related field
- Master’s degree in education or related field preferred
- 3 to 5 years’ experience in school environment required
- One year of experience overseeing or managing a program related to student life and development (e.g. dean, department head/chair, or other programmatic leadership)
- Classroom teaching experience strongly preferred
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated experience working with students, building strong relationships with them, and holding them to high standards and expectations
- Demonstrates an empathic, compassionate, and inclusive leadership practice with the ability to work with broad constituencies in an approachable and diplomatic manner
- Strong organizational ability and the capacity to manage a complex job description with many components
- Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively, to take initiative, and to manage Middle School student life with confidence and clarity
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work and communicate well with all levels of faculty and staff
- Ability to work and communicate well with students and their parents
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Adaptability, punctuality, flexibility, maturity, enthusiasm and a sense of humor
- Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows environment (Windows 7 or higher), using Office (version 2010 or higher), including Outlook; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and confidently learn new technology; Experience with school-focused technology is a plus
- Ability to talk on the phone
- Ability to sit and keyboard up to 8 hours per day
If this sounds like you, please click on Apply Now, complete our online employment application and upload your résumé and a cover letter indicating why you are interested in this position.
Thank you for your interest in this position and in University Prep.
This position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.