Position Description - Loyola High School Detroit

PRESIDENT – POSITION DESCRIPTION

A Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition, Loyola was founded as a concerned response to the pressing need for urban male education in Detroit and is a joint venture between the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Jesuits of the USA Midwest Province. With the strong involvement of parents and staff, it aims to produce graduates who are “Men for Others. Men for Detroit” who demonstrate the level of academic, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual growth envisioned in the school’s mission.

As Loyola celebrates its 30^th anniversary, the school continues to address opportunities and challenges that will mark the next 30 years and remains committed to its original mission to help students find success in high school and beyond. Our students often enter one or more grade-levels behind in reading or math but are challenged to rise above their present trajectories and show ongoing improvement. With an enrollment of over 150 students each year, the Loyola model works by creating a strong community of students, parents, and staff to support the young men at school and at home. We offer a work-study program to our junior and senior students where they work in a professional setting one day per week during the school year.

All members of the last 13 consecutive graduating classes have been accepted into at least one college or university, and they have found ongoing success in the classroom and the workplace. They testify to the fact that Loyola is a school that works, forming the young men of today into better men for the future of our city and our world.

Loyola develops its students in the model set forth in the “Graduate at Graduation,” the benchmark for all Jesuit high school graduates. They will be: Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Loving, Religious, and Committed to Justice.

We commit ourselves to offering the highest level of education and formation to young men who might not otherwise qualify or be able to afford the standard of excellence we offer at Loyola High School. A wide range of students find a home at Loyola in our caring and nurturing environment.

THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT – RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

As the chief executive officer of the school, the President has overall responsibility for upholding the Mission, pursuing the Strategic Vision, driving the five-year Strategic Plan, and achieving the Annual Plan of Loyola High School.
The President is responsible for the day-to-day management of Loyola and for providing leadership consistent with the Roman Catholic faith and the Society of Jesus. The President is the primary contact and presence with the Society of Jesus Midwest Province, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and the State Department of Education in addition to other agencies and organizations.
Overall, the President’s highest priority is to successfully implement the school’s strategic plan and achieve the annual business plan through sound management of the school’s resources. The President oversees all the business operations, finances, and development of the annual budget for final approval by the Board of Directors.
The President is responsible for supervision, evaluation, and professional development of all personnel under his/her direction.
Supported by the Principal, the President is charged with sustaining the academic reputation of the school and ensuring that the school maintains its accreditation with the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS) and retains its sponsorship from the Midwest Province of Jesuits.
The President, as the chief religious officer, must maintain and nurture the Catholic, Jesuit identity of Loyola while appreciating and including other faith traditions. The President oversees the implementation of Ignatian Pedagogy and the spiritual direction of the school in a manner faithful to Roman Catholic and Jesuit education.
The President must work effectively with the Director of Advancement to ensure that fundraising objectives – including endowment, annual giving, and capital initiatives – are achieved to meet the present and future needs of Loyola. The President oversees relationships with potential donors as well as the solicitation of grants and donations from alumni, foundations, trusts, organizations, and select individuals.
As a part of overall fundraising and student formation, the President will enhance and grow the Loyola Work Experience Program by assisting the Director of the program in recruiting business partners and retaining those relationships.
The President works with the Board of Directors to develop policies of the Board of Directors and then effectively implements those policies.
The President is the institutional spokesperson and embodies Loyola to its varied constituencies both internally and externally. The President must model, articulate, communicate, and implement the mission and vision of Loyola. The President must be an effective communicator with all of the school’s constituents – students, parents, teachers, staff, alumni, Board of Directors, neighborhoods, donors, and other benefactors and stakeholders.
The President must have the ability to establish and manage a performance-driven culture in which the President holds management, staff, and others accountable for executing tasks in a professional, high-quality manner, utilizing clear metrics and sound processes.
The President creates and fosters a stimulating, collaborative, and professional community environment in which faculty and staff interact to discuss and resolve academic and related operational issues.
The President represents the school at functions sponsored by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Midwest Province Jesuits, and the national Jesuit Schools Network.

GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS

The President is hired by and reports to the Board of Directors which, in turn, is elected by the Board of Members (two representatives from the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus and two representatives of the Archdiocese of Detroit).

Whether Jesuit or lay, the President is missioned to the position as Director of Work and is ultimately accountable to the Archbishop of Detroit and the Provincial for the Jesuits of the USA Midwest Province.

The administration of the school operates under a team model, with the President overseeing the activities of his direct reports, including the Principal, Advancement Director, Finance Director, Facilities and IT Director, Director of the Loyola Work Experience Program, and the Marketing & Communications Director.

The Board has the expectation that the President will delegate responsibility, provide effective and appropriate supervision and evaluation of direct reports, and exercise the leadership to advance the mission and vision of Loyola High School.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

The President has a genuine understanding, passion, and commitment to the mission and identity of Loyola as a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition of education. The President will be a dynamic, creative, visionary, forward-thinking, and innovative leader who fosters learning, growth, and collaboration inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to being a person of faith, the successful candidate will lead Loyola into the next phase with enthusiasm for, and expertise in, urban education, and must possess high interpersonal skills and good problem identification and solving. This is an ideal position for the person who likes challenges and working with good people to share a vision for a school of excellence in all areas.

Successful Traits and Characteristics

High energy executive that demonstrates a bias for action.
Has strong business acumen derived from years of experience.
Has a documented history of delivering results (“the what”) via effective servant leadership (“the how”).
Possesses a genuine affection for the human and Christian education of the young, especially in an urban setting.
Has the ability and willingness to relate to students as well as be visible to, and interact with, them regularly on campus and at school events.
Has an accessible and approachable style, with a willingness to listen and encourage the development of new ideas while also offering creative solutions to a variety of challenges.
Respects the dignity of every person and models the behavior that demonstrates appreciation for all individuals.
Possesses a successful track record of working collaboratively within a school community in a broad leadership role.
Has a proven ability to create an environment where individuals motivate themselves and can develop teams.
Possesses both oral and written presentation skills that inspire confidence with internal and external audiences.

Minimum Requirements

Is a practicing Catholic, with a strong commitment to implementing the Jesuit educational methodology and to continuous immersion in the Jesuit tradition.
Bachelor’s Degree required.
Proven track record of achievement and transferable skills with respect to development, sales or other business/institutional development (g., Annual Fund, Endowment building, Capital Campaign, Planned Giving).
Demonstrated capacity for broad institutional leadership (can be obtained through a variety of career paths including education, non-profit or corporate career tracks).
Previous budget management experience and strategic planning experience.
Strong communications skills.

Preferred Requirements

Advanced degree (g., Education, Religion, Business or other related degree).

SUBMISSIONS

The candidate should provide the following information on a confidential basis no later than August 31, 2023, to:

Dr. Patrick G. Callaghan
President
HR Partners, Inc.
drpat@bignet.net
(248) 875-6009

Please include the following in your email communication:

A brief (one to two pages) personal essay about your educational and administrative philosophy.
Your vision for the future of Loyola High School and how your background and leadership would enrich Loyola, accelerate the school’s momentum, and ultimately achieve your vision.
A current resume, including your telephone number and email address.
Salary history and requirements.
Three professional references.