Middle School Principal (2027-2028)

Are you ready to help build the next chapter of educational excellence? At Zeta, we pursue an unprecedented combination of high academic achievement and social-emotional development for our students.

We are searching for a Middle School Principal with a proven track record of setting a bold vision, building a high-performing team, and driving exceptional student outcomes in a rigorous, joyful, and caring school community where every student and adult thrives.

The role at a glance Role: Middle School Principal Start date: July 2027 or sooner, based on Zeta's immediate hiring needs and your availability Location: Bronx, Upper Manhattan, or Queens Work model: Fully on-site in New York City Salary range: $125,000–$180,000 Reports to: Network School Manager

Who you are You bring:

• A Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of 2 years of experience serving as a Principal or senior school leader, with ultimate responsibility for leading and developing high-performing teams
• A minimum of 3 years of classroom teaching experience
• Deep alignment with Zeta’s mission and an unwavering belief in every student’s potential
• A proven track record of using data to drive strong, measurable school-wide academic outcomes, close instructional gaps, set goals, and adjust course when needed
• Deep instructional expertise and a clear vision for excellence across classrooms, grade levels, and content areas
• Exceptional people leadership, including developing strong teachers and leaders, building accountability, and addressing underperformance directly and timely
• The ability to build both a joyful and rigorous school culture that rallies staff, students, and families around an ambitious vision
• Strong, strategic judgment and the ability to navigate high-stakes challenges with clarity, composure, urgency, and follow-through
• Clear, confident communication paired with humility, self-awareness, and a hunger for feedback and continual growth

What you’ll be doing In the Middle School Principal role, you will:

• Set and execute an ambitious school-wide vision, establishing clear priorities and uniting leaders, teachers, staff, students, and families around a shared definition of excellence.
• Build a joyful, safe, and intellectually rigorous school culture in which every student is known, supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.
• Foster authentic and trusting relationships with staff, students, and families, creating a strong foundation for collaboration, belonging, and student success.
• Define and uphold the highest standards of instructional excellence, ensuring strong content knowledge, purposeful planning, and high-quality implementation across classrooms, grade levels, and content areas.
• Own schoolwide academic outcomes through a data-driven, results-oriented approach, monitoring progress, diagnosing gaps, and adjusting strategy across grade levels and content areas to drive 90%+ of students to grade-level mastery by year-end.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing school leadership team that effectively coaches teachers, manages performance, and drives strong academic, cultural, and operational outcomes.
• Analyze academic, cultural, and behavioral data across the school, translating insights into strategic action plans with clear ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Model a culture of problem-solving, ownership, and unwavering commitment to student achievement, setting the tone for excellence across the entire school community.
• Lead the design and execution of schoolwide systems, routines, and structures that enable consistently strong execution and long-term success.

How does Zeta invest in you? We offer great benefits:

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
• Flexible spending accounts for eligible medical purchases and commuter expenses
• 403(b) retirement plan; Zeta offers matching contributions toward your savings
• Relocation support to help eligible candidates make the move to New York City

We provide awesome perks:

• Monthly stipend for wellness and lifestyle expenses – from gym memberships to salon appointments, concerts, and more
• Four live therapy sessions per month through Talkspace and a free Headspace subscription
• MacBook Air and specified monthly reimbursement for use of a mobile phone
• Fully stocked team spaces with snacks and quality coffee to keep you fueled throughout the day
• Zeta swag, team outings, and some of NYC’s finest sweet treats handpicked from our CEO
• Books and resources for professional development

We care deeply about your personal and professional growth:

• Clear pathways to professional growth
• Consistent feedback and support from managers and teammates
• Community Circle practice to build and strengthen our sense of team
• Interactive Mindfulness and DEIJ programming