Head of School

Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr (SHA), a Catholic, independent, all-girls school serving students from preschool through grade 12, seeks a visionary Head of School to lead with faith, courage, and purpose.

Founded in 1865 and rooted in the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart , SHA forms young women of faith, intellect, character, and compassion A proud member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States and Canada, SHA continues the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat: to educate the whole person and inspire lives of leadership and service to others.

The Opportunity

SHA stands at an exciting moment in its history. The next Head of School will lead the community into its next chapter, deepening its Catholic and Sacred Heart identity, ensuring academic excellence, and sustaining its long-term vitality.

As spiritual leader and chief executive, the Head of School will model the love of the Heart of Jesus, nurturing a community rooted in faith, intellect, respect, and service. The Head will partner closely with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, families, alumnae, students and Network of Sacred Heart Schools to advance the mission of Sacred Heart education with integrity and vision. 

The Head of School ensures that every decision—academic, pastoral, or financial—advances these Goals and reflects SHA’s identity as an Catholic, independent, all-girls Sacred Heart School.

Mission Priorities

While providing overall leadership for the school, the Head of School will focus on several mission-centered priorities:

Faith and Community Formation

• Serve as the spiritual leader of the school community, fostering a shared life of prayer, reflection, and service.
• Deepen SHA’s Catholic identity and strengthen connection to the international Sacred Heart Network.
• Ensure that the Goals and Criteria are integrated across all areas of school life—academics, athletics, arts, and service.

Academic Excellence and Whole-Person Education

• Support the Senior Leadership Team, faculty and staff in delivering a rigorous, values-centered curriculum that cultivates both intellect and character.
• Inspire pedagogical innovation grounded in the Sacred Heart tradition of educating both mind, heart and soul.

Stewardship and Sustainability

• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure strong fiscal management.
• Partner with the Board of Trustees to advance strategic planning and mission sustainability.
• Nurture a culture of philanthropy and advance the mission through thoughtful stewardship of resources.

Enrollment, Advancement, and Communications

• Champion a compelling narrative that reflects SHA’s distinctive identity as an Catholic, independent, all-girls Sacred Heart school.
• Lead strategic initiatives that strengthen enrollment, deepen community engagement, and expand philanthropic support.

Leadership Model

The Head of School will oversee an Associate Head of School and Senior Leadership Team (Chief Financial Officer, Director of Enrollment Management, Director of Athletics, Dean of Faculty / Director of Upper School, Director of Middle / Lower Schools and DEIB, Director of PreSchool) that unites academic excellence with strategic and faith-based leadership. 

Qualifications

Faith & Mission Alignment

• Must be a practicing Catholic who demonstrates a personal and active faith in God and a commitment to the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education.
• Ability to serve as a visible and authentic spiritual leader for students, faculty, and families.
• Responsible for and willing to perform work dedicated to maintaining the school’s connection to, communication with and work with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

Leadership & Management Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Proven experience in school or organizational leadership, ideally in Catholic, independent, or mission-driven institutions.
• Strong record of success in strategic planning, fiscal oversight, and team leadership.
• Ability to inspire trust, foster collaboration, and cultivate a vibrant, inclusive school culture.

Educational and Advancement Expertise

• Appreciation for the philosophy of all-girls education and understanding of the intellectual and emotional development of young women.
• Experience in advancement, fundraising, and community relations, with the capacity to engage donors and partners in the school’s mission.
• Familiarity with Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) and / or similar programs.  
• Proficiency with implementation and management of a strategic recruitment, retention and financial aid model.
• A Master’s degree, in particular an M.B.A.or M.Ed., is preferred but not required.

About Sacred Heart Academy, Bryn Mawr

SHA is one of 25 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada and part of a global network of over 150 schools across 40 countries. Sacred Heart Academy fosters an environment of faith, intellect, service, community, and personal growth. Its alumnae are leaders across education, business, medicine, public service, law, and the arts and are proudly women who embody the Sacred Heart mission in the world.

To Apply

Interested candidates are to submit the following to: The Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr Head of School Search Committee at: HOS.Search@shabrynmawr.org.

A cover letter expressing interest in this positon;

A current curriculum vitae;

A one-page statement of educational or leadership philosophy and practice; and

A list of three professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission).

Application materials should clearly articulate the candidate’s understanding of Sacred Heart education, leadership philosophy, and how their experience aligns with the Goals and Criteria of the Sacred Heart.