Open Leadership Role at Dublin Waldorf School

The Organisation

Dublin Waldorf School was founded by parents seeking an educational alternative. 

An independent Waldorf school based in the historic inner-city Liberties neighbourhood, our kindergarten was first established in 2009. In response to community demand, we enrolled the first children into our primary school in 2017.

Since then, that demand has continued to grow. With enrolments for our kindergarten far outstripping the number of available places, we now teach children across six classes in our primary school, with student numbers growing. 

We are a community-funded non-profit organisation. Through the energy of staff and volunteers, we have succeeded in establishing a vibrant school with a committed community, in a sustainable business model. Our challenge now is to continue this growth in a sustainable way and reach our full potential as a model Waldorf school in the centre of Dublin, showing that an alternative approach to education is possible.

You can read more about Waldorf education here and more about our school at dublinwaldorf.com/.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and values-aligned individual to join the Board of Trustees in a key leadership capacity.

Dublin Waldorf School is at an important and exciting stage in its development. The school has grown steadily from its roots as a parent-founded kindergarten into a thriving primary school community, with continuing demand for places and a clear opportunity to continue that growth in a thoughtful and sustainable way.

This role offers the opportunity to play a meaningful part in shaping the school’s next chapter, working alongside fellow trustees and the school leadership team to ensure the organisation’s structures, governance, and ways of working continue to evolve in step with the needs and ambitions of a growing school community.

We are looking for someone who can bring leadership, strategic clarity, and practical experience at Board level, someone who is comfortable supporting both long-term vision and the practical delivery required to bring that vision to life. This includes helping the Board to prioritise effectively, maintain focus on key objectives, and provide strong oversight as the organisation continues to grow and develop.

A key part of this role will also involve supporting the school’s long-term sustainability and future ambitions, including helping to strengthen fundraising initiatives and deepen relationships with supporters, families, and the wider community. As a community-funded non-profit, the school’s continued success depends on meaningful engagement and strong relationships. We are particularly interested in someone who can help build connections, nurture partnerships, and bring external perspective and opportunities that support the school’s ongoing development.

This role would particularly suit someone who is energised by the opportunity to contribute to a growing, values-led organisation, someone who can combine strategic thinking with collaborative leadership and thoughtful decision-making, while helping to strengthen the Board’s ability to support the school through its next stage of growth.

We are especially interested in individuals with experience and/or strong interest in one or more of the following areas:

• Education leadership or school governance
• Small business leadership and organisational scaling
• Charity governance, philanthropy, or non-profit leadership
• Strategic planning, programme delivery, or project management
• Organisational development in growing organisations
• Community engagement, partnerships, or stakeholder development
• Community-led or values-driven organisations

This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a school that is deeply rooted in its community, while helping to shape and support its continued growth and future development.

As part of the board, each trustee has a responsibility to:

• Set overall strategy, with the aim of continuing the growth of the school and guarding against risk
• Support school management and staff in fulfilling the school’s charitable purpose
• Ensure that the school complies with all relevant legislation
• Ensure that the financial assets of the charity are managed responsibly and guarded against undue risk
• Act in the best interests of the school at all times, while exercising independent judgement

More information on the role and legal responsibilities of a charity trustee can be found here. 

Board meetings

The Dublin Waldorf School Board of Trustees meets monthly, currently on the second Thursday of each month and typically with a break in July. Meetings are currently held in person at the school premises on Meath Street.

Closing note

We are looking for someone who is not only experienced, but also genuinely aligned with the values and spirit of the school, someone who sees the potential of what we are building and wants to play a meaningful role in helping support its continued growth and development.