Cardinal Newman School is a Catholic co-educational, college preparatory school serving grades 7-12, offering a comprehensive education that includes athletics, fine arts, and a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school is a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston. As a Catholic middle school and high school, its mission is to provide an integrated and rigorous Catholic educational program to young men and women of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, who value and embrace the traditions of an education deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.

Students are challenged to embrace truth, live virtue, pursue academic achievement, act with integrity, lead courageously, work for justice and engage in generous service. Anchored in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, within the Cardinal Newman School community, every student is known, the dignity of all is appreciated, and apparent and potential gifts are explored and developed in mind, body and spirit.

Position Summary: As a Catholic school leader in the Diocese of Charleston, the Head of School of Cardinal Newman School serves as the chief executive and spiritual leader of the school community, entrusted with the integrated formation of students, the faith life of faculty and staff, and the stewardship of institutional resources. As both academic and organizational head, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring the advancement of the Catholic mission and the operational vitality of the school. The Head of School recognizes that Catholic schools exist to partner with parents in the Catholic education of their children and advances this work through a generous spirit of collaboration with the faculty and staff of the school.

This individual provides a visible credible witness to Christ the Teacher, faith-filled leadership rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church and collaborates closely with diocesan leadership, clergy, faculty, families, and benefactors to promote a shared vision of Catholic education.

The Head of School oversees educational excellence, faculty supervision, faith formation, enrollment management, advancement, finances, facilities, and strategic planning. The individual must model Christian discipleship, inspire virtue and scholarship, and guide the community toward spiritual and academic excellence.

Classification: Exempt, Full Time

Reports To: Superintendent

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Catholic Culture and Mission

Serve as the spiritual leader of the school, ensuring all aspects of school life reflect the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.
Joyfully model Catholic faith through prayer, moral conduct, participation in the sacraments, and personal integrity.
Lead ongoing faith formation opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
Collaborate with the chaplain, campus ministry, and theology department to foster an environment of prayer, service, and virtue.
Ensure integration of Catholic teaching across all areas of curriculum and culture.
Strengthen the partnership between parish, school, and broader diocesan communities.
Promote respect for the dignity of every person and a culture that embodies the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Academic Leadership and Supervision

Serve as the instructional leader, upholding high academic standards and fostering curriculum excellence rooted in Christian anthropology.
Recruit, hire, evaluate, and retain mission-driven teachers and administrators who embody the Catholic faith
Supervise and assess faculty and staff performance; provide guidance and professional development resources to enhance instructional quality.
Maintain compliance with diocesan, state, and accreditation requirements.
Encourage innovation and cross-curricular integration consistent with Catholic philosophy.
Develop and implement effective methods to measure student achievement, faculty performance, and program success.

Advancement and Enrollment Management

Serve as the chief spokesperson and ambassador for the school, promoting its mission and achievements to families, alumni, donors, and the community.
Supervise and actively support the advancement, development, and enrollment offices.
Oversee fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, capital campaigns, alumni relations, endowment development, and planned giving.
Ensure that all marketing and communication materials authentically reflect Catholic values and the mission of the school.
Collaborate with the administrative team to attract and retain students who seek a Catholic education aligned with the mission of the Diocese of Charleston.

Business Affairs and Operations

Oversee the school’s fiscal health by preparing, implementing, and monitoring the annual operating budget in collaboration with the finance committee and advisory council.
Ensure sound financial stewardship, compliance with diocesan financial policies, and transparent reporting.
Manage facilities planning, maintenance, and capital improvements in coordination with the advisory council and diocesan offices.
Oversee tuition, financial aid administration, and other business operations.
Support the development and execution of a strategic plan encompassing long-term fiscal, academic, and facility goals.
Provides reports and updates to the Superintendent on key performance indicators of institutional health and aligned goals.

Governance and Community Relations

Endeavor to build bridges and promote strong relationships with pastors, parishes, and Catholic schools in the region
Serve as the liaison among the school, the advisory council, and the Diocese of Charleston, ensuring alignment with diocesan policies and goals.
Communicate the school’s vision and accomplishments effectively with stakeholders through meetings, reports, and publications.
Partner with parents, alumni, and community leaders to strengthen the school’s impact and reputation.
Attend diocesan and professional development meetings for continued growth.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Education, Administration, or equivalent; advanced certification in Catholic educational leadership preferred.
Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, able to serve as a credible witness to the faith in both word and action.
Minimum five years of experience in Catholic educational administration, preferably at the secondary level.
Completion of a Catechetical formation sequence within the first year.
Demonstrated success in school leadership, advancement, and enrollment growth.
Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to forming students spiritually, intellectually, and morally in partnership with Catholic families.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with SharePoint preferred.
Openness to ongoing formation, professional development, and coaching.
Valid driver’s license required.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

Ability to operate standard office equipment including computers, copiers, and telephones.
Requires periods of standing, walking, sitting, talking, listening, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
Occasional evening and weekend responsibilities related to school events, Masses, or meetings.

Cardinal Newman School jobs

Head of School