Qualification & Experiences
This is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in Katthiwada, District Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh. The School Leader is expected to live in Katthiwada and be fully immersed in the school and community. Katthiwada is located in a remote rural region. The nearest airports are Vadodara (Gujarat) and Indore (Madhya Pradesh), both requiring onward road travel. The Foundation will support the School Leader with accommodation in Katthiwada to ensure a smooth relocation and comfortable stay.
Basic Qualifications (Required):
● A Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree (preferably in Education or a related field).
● Minimum 5 years of professional experience directly working with children and teachers.
● Demonstrated experience working in under-resourced and/or rural school contexts.
● At least 2 years of experience managing and leading a team of 10 or more individuals.
● Strong instructional understanding and the ability to coach and develop teachers.
● Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with parents, trustees, and external stakeholders.
● High ownership, integrity, and willingness to be fully immersed in a rural setting.
Preferred Qualifications:
● Formal training or demonstrated experience in Educational Leadership or School Leadership.
● Experience building or strengthening school systems (academic monitoring, teacher evaluation, culture systems, etc.).
● Prior experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, or external stakeholder communication.
● Experience leading growth-stage schools or expanding student enrolment and team size.
How to Apply:
If you are inspired by the opportunity to build and lead a high-quality, joyful school in a rural community — and are ready to take on a role of deep responsibility and impact — we would love to hear from you.
Please send the following to shruti@kamalvidyaniketan.com:
1.Your updated resume
2.A short Statement of Purpose (no more than 1–2 pages) explaining:
3.Why you are interested in this role
4.Your leadership philosophy
5.Why you believe you are suited to lead in a rural context
6.Please use the subject line: Application – School Leader, Kamal Vidya Niketan.
The selection process will involve:
1. A short pre-work assignment
2. A technical interview focused on instructional and leadership competencies
3. A final personal interaction
We are seeking a leader who sees this as more than a position — but as a long-term commitment to building something meaningful, rigorous, and deeply rooted in the community.
(Please Note: For this role, please apply by sending your CV to shruti@kamalvidyaniketan.com. This role will not appear in The Circle's Staff Applications Form below).
Responsibilities
Academic & Instructional Leadership:
The School Leader will champion excellence in teaching and learning across the school. They will ensure that lesson planning, classroom execution, and assessments reflect our philosophy of Experience, Exposure, and Belonging. Through regular observation, feedback, and coaching, they will build teacher capacity and ensure that every classroom is purposeful, engaging, and rigorous. They will establish clear academic goals for the school and design systems to monitor student progress consistently. A strong focus will be placed on mastery, foundational learning, and joyful engagement in early years and primary education.
Monitoring, Evaluation & School Goals:
The School Leader will be responsible for defining, tracking, and evaluating the school’s annual goals across academic achievement, culture, operations, and team development. They will build and maintain clear monitoring systems that allow the school to measure progress meaningfully and respond proactively to challenges. This includes establishing data routines, conducting regular reviews, and presenting
progress reports to Trustees. The leader will ensure that decision-making is grounded in evidence while remaining sensitive to the lived realities of the community we serve.
School Culture & Student Development:
The School Leader will cultivate a culture where every child feels seen, safe, and valued. They will embed structures that promote belonging, dignity, and respect, ensuring that classrooms are emotionally secure spaces for learning. Beyond academics, the leader will shape the character and values of the school—strengthening circle time, collaborative practices, and inclusive rituals that build community. Child protection, student wellbeing, and a joyful learning environment will remain central priorities.
Team Leadership & Capacity Building:
The School Leader will lead and inspire a team of approximately 20 staff members. They will foster a culture of professional growth, high expectations, and shared ownership. Through structured goal-setting, feedback cycles, and leadership development opportunities, the leader will build a strong internal leadership pipeline.
The ideal candidate will understand that great schools are built through empowered teachers and aligned teams.
Parent & Community Partnership:
In a rural context, trust is foundational. The School Leader will strengthen relationships with parents and caregivers, ensuring that families understand and feel connected to the school’s philosophy and aspirations.
Working closely with the social work team, the leader will represent the school within the community and ensure that the school remains rooted in local context while expanding children’s exposure to the world beyond.
Operations & Stewardship:
The School Leader will oversee the day-to-day functioning of the school, ensuring smooth operations, compliance, and responsible resource management. They will collaborate with finance and operations teams to align budgeting with strategic priorities and maintain a safe, welcoming campus environment.
Operational strength will serve as the backbone that allows the school’s mission to flourish.
Accounts & Financial Stewardship:
The School Leader will oversee the financial discipline of the school in close coordination with the Foundation and accounts team. This includes managing vendor relationships, reviewing and approving expenses, monitoring payments, and ensuring timely and transparent financial processes. The School Leader will be responsible for tracking the school budget against annual plans, anticipating financial needs, and aligning spending with strategic priorities. They will ensure that resources are utilised responsibly, systems for documentation and compliance are followed diligently, and financial decision-making reflects both prudence and long-term sustainability.
Talent Acquisition & Admissions Leadership:
The School Leader will play a central role in building the human and student community of the school. This includes leading the hiring process for teaching and non-teaching staff—identifying talent aligned with the school’s philosophy, conducting interviews, assessing fit, and ensuring strong onboarding and induction
systems. The leader will be responsible for maintaining a high bar for recruitment while nurturing a culture that attracts mission-aligned educators. In addition, the School Leader will oversee the admissions process for students. This includes managing admissions timelines, engaging with prospective families, ensuring transparent and equitable processes, and aligning enrolment growth with the school’s long-term vision and capacity. The leader will ensure that admissions conversations reflect the values of Experience, Exposure, and Belonging while building strong trust with families from the outset.
School Leader at Kamal Vidya Niketan, a Circle Partner School
The Circle Network
Summary
About Kathiwada Foundation:
Kathiwada Foundation is committed to expanding access to high-quality, holistic education in remote rural and tribal regions of India. We believe that geography should not determine destiny. Through Kamal Vidya Niketan School, the Foundation is building a model of education rooted in dignity, community partnership, and long-term opportunity—where children grow not only academically, but socially,emotionally, and as future leaders of their communities.
About Kamal Vidya Niketan:
Kamal Vidya Niketan (KVN) is a growing rural school grounded in three core pillars: Experience, Exposure, and Belonging. We believe children learn best when they actively engage with the world around them, are exposed to ideas beyond their immediate surroundings, and feel deeply connected to their school community. Our classrooms are designed to be joyful, rigorous, and rooted in relationships. As
we continue to grow, we are seeking a School Leader who will deepen instructional excellence, strengthen systems, and steward a culture where both children and adults thrive.
The Role:
The School Leader will serve as the chief steward of KVN’s vision. This is not only a management role, but a deeply mission-driven leadership opportunity. The School Leader will shape the academic direction of the school, nurture teacher growth, build strong community partnerships, and ensure that our philosophy translates into everyday classroom practice. This role requires someone who can combine instructional clarity with emotional intelligence, operational discipline with warmth, and ambition with humility.