Executive Director, CSJ Sponsored Schools

About the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Brentwood

For more than a century, the Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood have lived a mission rooted in love, unity, and service—building ministries that educate, heal, and uplift communities across generations. Since establishing their presence in New York in 1896, the Sisters have founded schools, colleges, hospitals, social service organizations, and community initiatives that have touched countless lives locally and globally.

Their ministries span education, healthcare, immigration advocacy, ecological stewardship, spirituality, and support for vulnerable populations—all grounded in a commitment to justice, dignity, and care for the whole person. Today, through a broad network of partners, the Sisters continue this living legacy in service to the “dear neighbor”—their expression for every person they are called to serve.

Education remains central to that mission. The Sisters sponsor four all-girls, college preparatory academies: Sacred Heart Academy (Hempstead, NY), The Mary Louis Academy (Queens, NY), Fontbonne Hall Academy (Brooklyn, NY), and Academia Maria Reina (San Juan, Puerto Rico). Each school advances the mission of the Sisters while serving distinct communities and student populations.

Together, they form a network committed to academic excellence, faith formation, leadership development, and access to opportunity. Nearly all graduates pursue higher education and carry forward the values of service, confidence, and purpose instilled through their experience.

In recent years, the Sisters have undertaken thoughtful work to ensure the long-term vitality of these schools—examining financial sustainability, enrollment strategy, operational modernization, and opportunities for deeper collaboration across the network. This effort reflects a commitment not simply to preserve the schools, but to strengthen them for the future while honoring the unique identity of each academy.

At the heart of this work is a deep belief in the transformative power of all-girls Catholic education. Environments designed specifically to empower young women foster confidence, intellectual curiosity, strong peer relationships, and leadership that extends far beyond the classroom. By investing in these schools, the Congregation is investing in generations of women who will shape families, communities, professions, and movements for years to come.

Position Summary: Executive Director

The Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood seek an Executive Director of CSJ Sponsored Schools to provide strategic oversight on behalf of the Board of Members (the Congregation’s Leadership Council) for its four all-girls Catholic college preparatory schools across New York and Puerto Rico.

This role follows two years of planning led by a volunteer executive advisory group convened by the Sisters to evaluate financial sustainability, enrollment trends, and long-term opportunities for the schools.

Reporting to and acting on behalf of the President and Board of Members, the Executive Director carries authority to engage school Boards and administrators to advance network priorities in alignment with the Congregation’s mission and expectations. The role exists to guide implementation of strategic priorities while monitoring changes in private education to ensure each school’s curriculum, student experience, and resources remain contemporary and competitive.

The Executive Director will bring strong business acumen and a deep understanding of private education systems to advise on financial sustainability, enrollment strategy, governance, marketing and fundraising, capital planning, and operational effectiveness.

Working closely with school Presidents, Principals, and Boards, this leader will help address complex challenges and advance initiatives across the network. This single contributor role blends strategic thinking with hands-on execution—identifying solutions, coordinating resources, facilitating training, and project managing initiatives that move the strategic plan forward across four distinct institutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Strategy, Innovation & Future Direction- Lead implementation of network-wide priorities while helping the schools look ahead - translating trends in education into practical initiatives that modernize programming, strengthen enrollment, and position each school to succeed in a changing educational landscape.
• Network Collaboration & Shared Services – Identify opportunities for collaboration across the schools, including shared vendors, joint initiatives, and data systems, while establishing network-wide benchmarks, processes, and best practices that strengthen consistency without compromising each school’s identity.
• School Performance Monitoring – Develop dashboards, KPI’s, and evaluation processes that provide visibility into enrollment, financial health, academic indicators, and operational priorities while continuously refining standards to keep the schools innovative, competitive, and forward-looking.
• Financial Sustainability Support – Partner with school finance leaders to review budgets, tuition strategies, and long-term planning, helping identify practical paths toward stability and growth.
• Enrollment & Marketing Collaboration – Support school leaders in strengthening enrollment strategy, positioning, and outreach while advancing a compelling narrative around Catholic, all-girls education and sharing best practices across the network.
• Advancement & Fundraising Alignment – Help schools and their respective board members implement effective development approaches and donor engagement to support operating capital and academic needs.
• Facilities & Capital Planning – Partner with school leaders to assess deferred maintenance across historic campuses including capital investments that support contemporary learning environments, technology readiness, and future-focused campus design.
• Academic & Program Excellence – Support schools in strengthening faculty structures, academic benchmarking, and cross-school best practices, including curriculum collaboration, faculty professional development, and college counseling standards.
• Governance & Trustee Partnership — Support school boards with governance clarity, leadership evaluation, succession planning, trustee recruitment, and alignment with Congregation expectations, including vetting candidates and confirming appointments in collaboration with the Board of Members.

Leadership & Competency Expectations

School Performance & Financial Sustainability Leader

The ideal candidate is an energetic and visionary leader who believes deeply in the power of educating young women and pairs that conviction with strong business and education leadership experience. They are comfortable interpreting financial data, advising school leaders, and prioritizing investments that support long-term health—particularly within aging facilities and evolving enrollment models. This leader also anticipates shifts in the education landscape and helps the schools adapt creatively through modern practices and new ideas.

Portfolio Steward & Strategic Project Leader

Operating across four independent schools, the Executive Director manages multiple priorities while maintaining clarity and forward momentum. They bring strong project management discipline and strategic perspective—tracking initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring the network’s strategic plan translates into tangible progress.

Influence Driven Relationship Builder

Deputed by the President to act on behalf of the Sisters, the Executive Director exercises authority while leading through influence and trust. They listen carefully, offer thoughtful counsel, and help stakeholders move from ideas to action while navigating differing perspectives and maintaining mission alignment.

Mission Anchored Champion for Girls’ Catholic Education

This leader is deeply motivated by the impact of all girls Catholic schools—where faith formation, academic excellence, and leadership development prepare young women to lead with confidence and purpose. They view this role as stewardship of an enduring mission, balancing innovation with tradition while honoring the Sisters’ legacy.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience within an education institution, school network, or mission driven education related organization, with understanding of enrollment-driven financial models and school governance structures.
• Strong business and operational acumen, including the ability to interpret financial statements, assess long-term sustainability, and advise on facilities, capital planning, and resource allocation.
• Deep alignment with mission-centered education and a commitment to the value of faith formation and all-girls learning environments that prepare students for leadership and lifelong impact.
• Advanced degree in education, educational leadership, or related discipline strongly preferred (e.g., M.Ed, EdD, PhD, Ed.S., or comparable). Additional training, credentials, or experience in business, management, finance, or organizational leadership (e.g., MBA or equivalent) is highly valued.

Location, Compensation & Benefits

This is an on-site position based in Floral Park, New York, with travel to other school locations in Jamaica Estates, Hempstead, Brooklyn, and Puerto Rico as needed. The salary range for this opportunity is $175,000 - $225,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.