Head of School

Notre Dame San Jose High School - San Jose

Education
Full-Time
We are launching the search for our next Head of School at Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA. This position is available in July 2023, following the retirement of Head of School Mary Beth Riley. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead one of the premier, Catholic all-girls’ schools in the country.

Notre Dame High School, in the heart of downtown San Jose, California since 1851, provides young women an exemplary Catholic, college preparatory education to become life-long learners, spiritual seekers, justice advocates and community leaders. We are inspired by Saint Julie Billiart and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We empower young women and “teach them what they need to know for life.” Notre Dame San Jose serves a student body of 680 young women who reflect Silicon Valley’s multiplicity of socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.

Bold leadership and vision have led Notre Dame San Jose to excellence in all areas of school operations: financial stability, optimum enrollment management, fundraising success, best practices in teaching, learning, and technology integration, and a new state of the art classroom building. Notre Dame San Jose is quickly emerging as the Center for Women’s Leadership in Silicon Valley.

We are seeking highly qualified individuals who have experience in education and leadership and will support and promote the vital mission of the School. A strong candidate is a spiritual leader with a deep understanding of Catholic education who can champion the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. This candidate will have the vision, motivation and skills to build on NDSJ’s unique history and current success to lead an independent Catholic school with a dynamic senior administrative team and dedicated faculty.

Head of School Opportunity

Dynamic leadership and vision have led Notre Dame San Jose (NDSJ) in a vibrant mission and to excellence in all areas of school operations: financial stability, optimum enrollment management, fundraising success, best practices in teaching, learning, and technology integration, and a beautiful new classroom building, The Center for Women’s Leadership. The next Head of School will be expected not only to build upon this trajectory of outstanding accomplishments but also to implement the goals outlined in the strategic plan, Vision 2025 for Women’s Leadership. The next Head of School will:
Represent and model the Notre Dame Mission and Hallmarks to the on-campus community and the community at large.
Embrace the diversity of NDSJ’s student body, faculty and board and, from governance through programs, commit to continue REDI (race, equity, diversity and inclusion) learning and engagement at all levels, to support a relevant grievance process to right wrongs, and to always consider the student, faculty, staff, parent, board member and alum experience through a lens of equity and inclusion.
In collaboration with the Administrative Team and the Board of Directors, shepherd the strategic plan, Vision 2025 for Women’s Leadership, to fruition. The Plan identifies three areas of growth and opportunity that advance NDSJ’s mission to educate young women for leadership. This vision expands our impact for leadership into the community and invites community members to join us in our work.
Move beyond our campus and student community and invite others to engage in recognizing the value of women’s leadership.
Expand the impact of women’s spiritual leadership through Catholic, interfaith and social justice partnerships and our Notre Dame network in the world.
Grow the opportunities for our professional learning community to be leaders and develop student leaders.
Secure an ongoing relationship with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in order to:
Maintain and honor the history, legacy and mission of NDSJ and bridge it to the future.
Resource the guidance and support provided by the Sisters of Notre Dame and other Notre Dame schools.
Build on NDSJ’s unique history and current success and lead a strong, independent Catholic school with a stellar senior administrative team, and dedicated faculty.
Reach out to NDSJ’s community of graduates and community stakeholders to build new and deepen existing relationships. With the Executive Director of Advancement, serve as a point of Notre Dame connection and advocacy for the engagement (and re-engagement) of all stakeholders with the school and school initiatives on a continuing basis.
Recognize and appreciate that NDSJ is a landmark site that sits on an historic urban campus. Champion fundraising and practical plans to extend and revitalize the facilities.

Qualities and Qualifications
A committed, dynamic leader who embraces the identity of Notre Dame San Jose as a Catholic, urban, all-girls high school sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and who enthusiastically advocates for and promotes NDSJ as the Center for Women’s Leadership in Silicon Valley.
A spiritual leader with a deep understanding of Catholic education in the 21st century who will:
Champion the charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as articulated in the Mission and Hallmarks.
Nurture an environment that values social justice, service, compassion, and acceptance.
Sustain the learning community’s Catholic identity, coupled with a respect for and an embrace of the diverse fabric of faiths and belief systems shared by members across the NDSJ community.
A future focused, strategic thinker with the skills to envision, lead and assess plans for the vitality of school initiatives, programs, fundraising, and operations.
A systems-oriented leader with demonstrated experience managing high level teams for effective operations and delegation.
A relatable, warm, and approachable consensus-builder who:
Is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and who truly considers every voice, making each person feel heard, respected, and valued.
Centers students and prioritizes their intellectual, spiritual, social, and emotional development.
Affirms the talents and dedication of faculty, staff, parents, and the school board, encouraging initiative, creativity, collaboration and growth.
Cultivates healthy relationships with members of the internal and external community.
A thoughtful and informed decision-maker who is proficient at analyzing data, thinking critically, and solving problems.
An excellent written and oral communicator who shares plans and outcomes authentically and transparently.
Professional Qualifications: A Master’s (or higher) Degree, preferably in Education, Counseling and Psychology,School Administration and/or a related field or equivalent experience; a minimum of five years of teaching with administrative and leadership experience.

If you are interested in this amazing opportunity or know anyone who might be, please reach out to us! We are beginning the process of connecting with candidates right now and will be accepting applications until December 5, 2022. All inquiries and nominations will be treated with the greatest care and confidentiality.