Head of School

Position: Head of School

Start Date: July 1, 2026

Reports To: Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Hours: Regular high school schedule, 40 hours per week, plus some evening and weekend hours required for school-related events.

FLSA Status: Full-Time - Exempt

Salary Range: $95,000 - $120,000

Benefits: Health Insurance, Pension, Vacation, Sick and Personal Days, Holidays, 403(b) Retirement Plan, Paid Personal Time Off: Full Description 

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Position Summary:

The Head of School is a full-time ministerial position. This role serves as the chief executive officer of the high school and the leader for Catholic secondary education in the deanery, reporting directly to the Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools. The Head of School is responsible for unifying faith, academics, governance, and operational leadership to advance the mission of the Catholic high school in alignment with the Diocese of Rockford’s mission, guiding principles, and initiatives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

Key Responsibilities:

1. Mission and Catholic Identity

• Infuse Catholic values into every aspect of school life, including academics, extracurricular activities, and community interactions.
• Oversee liturgical celebrations, prayer life, retreats, and faith formation for students, faculty, and staff.
• Promote a vibrant Catholic identity rooted in the teachings of the Church.

2. Academic Excellence

• Supervise the academic leadership team, including deans and department chairs.
• Foster excellence in curriculum development, instruction, and assessment, ensuring the integration of Catholic teachings. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and professional development among faculty and staff.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure high levels of academic achievement and student engagement
• Prepare and submit an executive summary report of aggregated and disaggregated SAT/PSAT and/or ACT/PACT scores, identifying strengths and areas for growth.

3. Operational Vitality

• Manage financial operations, including budgeting, tuition, fundraising, and financial aid programs.
• Complete monthly budget to actual financial review.
• Oversee facilities management, human resources, and compliance with diocesan and accreditation standards.
• Ensure the efficient use of resources to sustain and grow the school’s mission.

4. Institutional Advancement/Enrollment

• Develop and execute strategic plans for enrollment growth, fundraising, and alumni engagement.
• Cultivate relationships with donors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with advancement teams to enhance marketing, communications, and outreach efforts.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive enrollment strategy that promotes sustained growth, including student recruitment, retention, and re-enrollment efforts.
• Collaborate with marketing and advancement teams to strengthen the school’s brand, expand outreach to prospective families, and ensure a strong and mission-aligned admissions process.
• Utilize data to monitor enrollment trends, set annual targets, and implement strategies that respond to demographic shifts and community needs.
• Foster relationships with feeder schools, parishes, and community partners to build a strong enrollment pipeline.

5. Governance and Leadership

• Collaborate with the school’s advisory commission, diocesan leadership, and other governing bodies to set and achieve strategic goals.
• Ensure policies and practices align with diocesan standards and long-term objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and mission-driven decision-making.
• Delivers an annual report of the state of the school to all key stakeholder constituencies.

6. Athletics Program Oversight

• Provide leadership and direction for the high school athletics program, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and Catholic values.
• Supervise athletic staff, including coaches, and oversee the development of programs that promote student-athlete growth in character, discipline, and teamwork.
• Ensure compliance with diocesan, conference, and state regulations for athletic programs and events.
• Collaborate with facilities management to maintain athletic facilities and resources.

7. Deanery Director

• Schedule and facilitate regular deanery meetings.
• Ensure minutes of deanery meetings are submitted to the Catholic Education Office in a timely manner.
• At the Superintendent of Catholic School’s request, assist in matters at deanery elementary schools including, but not limited to conflict resolution, parent and/or student matters, discipline investigations, leadership mentoring.
• Serve as a goodwill ambassador liaison between the Diocese and deanery schools.
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary by the Superintendent of Catholic Schools.

SUPPORT STRUCTURE

The Head of School is supported by a leadership team that may include the following roles:

• Dean of Academics
• Business Manager
• Dean of Advancement
• Dean of Catholic Identity / Spiritual Director
• Dean of Students
• Athletics Director
• IT Director
• Executive Commission of Advisors (Advisory)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications:

• Practicing Catholic in good standing with a commitment to the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Master’s degree in education with ISBE Type 75 Licensure or comparable licensure/credential from another state transferrable to Illinois.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in Catholic education or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Paylocity, FACTS, SIS/LMS digital platforms, alumni and donor/fundraising databases, and various digital communication and social media platforms.
• Knowledge of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, Second Edition (NSBECS).