Principal

Job Summary: As we enter our sesquicentennial year of academic excellence and forming Men for Others, U of D Jesuit is seeking a dynamic individual with excellent leadership qualities to serve as its next long-term Principal. The Principal is the educational leader responsible for implementing the school’s Jesuit mission, overseeing academic and co‑curricular programs, and leading all administrative functions in alignment with Catholic and Ignatian values.

The Principal reports to the President and serves as the supervisory team leader for the academic staff and faculty.

The role integrates academic leadership, staff management, student support, and mission fidelity. The Principal shares these administrative responsibilities with the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, and the Assistant Principal for the Academy.

Under the leadership of the school’s President, the Principal works together with these administrators and other directors of school programs as a team, meeting regularly to assure the effective operation of the school.

Our Mission: We are a Catholic school in the Jesuit tradition dedicated to academic excellence, forming students to become Men for Others with Jesus as the model, and guiding them in the creation of a hope-filled future, all for the Greater Glory of God.

Our Vision: To be the leading school in southeast Michigan for young men and families seeking a community committed to academic excellence and the formation of the whole person.

Our School: U of D Jesuit strives to develop graduates who are open to growth, committed to doing justice, loving, religious, and intellectually competent. Every employee must be committed to understanding, promoting, and modeling the mission and vision of U of D Jesuit in their day-to-day activity. U of D Jesuit prohibits the abuse and mistreatment of students and takes seriously any report of suspected abuse. Every employee is required to adhere to policies relating to boundaries with students, report any suspicious and inappropriate behavior promptly, and attend abuse risk management training as scheduled.

Application Procedures: Submit cover letter, resume, and a completed non-teaching application form (located at www.uofdjesuit.org/jobs to the email address indicated on the application form.

U of D Jesuit reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Compensation: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Full benefits package also included.

Reports to: The President

Employment Category: 12-month, Exempt

Duties and Performance Responsibilities

Leadership & Mission

• Ensure the Jesuit and Catholic character of the school is developed and nurtured in conjunction with the President and Director of Mission.
• Articulate and promote the Jesuit mission and Ignatian vision in all school activities.
• Oversee the formation of the faculty in the Jesuit spiritual and pedagogical tradition.
• Hire faculty and staff whose values align with the school’s mission.
• Foster a school culture of academic excellence, student support, and co‑curricular enrichment.
• Work with the Academic Committee of the Board to monitor the academic program.
• Serve as a member of the President’s Leadership Team in collaboration and support of the school’s strategic vision
• Develop, evaluate, and review the school’s programs in relation to their immediate goals and the apostolic objectives of the school.
• Be present at school functions, supportive of the person with direct responsibility (i.e., Athletic Director and coaches at athletic events, campus ministers on retreats and liturgy, etc.)
• Represent the school in communication with other schools as the official spokesperson for the school community in academic and extracurricular matters.
• Represent the school to the Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Detroit together with the President and the Jesuit superior.

School Administration & Policy

• Implement policies and procedures in support of academics, student life, athletics, and other areas through an organized and orderly process.
• Ensure compliance with State regulations and Archdiocesan policies.
• Lead admissions decisions and support student retention in collaboration with the Admissions Office and School Counseling.
• Develop and oversee student discipline policies in partnership with the Dean of Students.
• Make student retention and dismissal decisions after consultation with the Assistant Principals and Dean of Students.
• Promote optimal communication and clear expectations throughout the school.
• Ensure faculty and staff are kept informed of coming events by means of appropriate yearly, monthly, and weekly bulletins.
• Oversee the development of the Academic Calendar.
• Represent the interests of the school community in the short- and long-range development plans of the school.
• Represent the school to the major academic organizations to which it belongs or has ties such as the North Central Association, the National Catholic Educational Association, Jesuit Schools Network, the Diocesan School Board, and the Michigan Department of Education.
• Coordinates the submission of annual reports as required by the Michigan Department of Education, the North Central Association, the National Catholic Educational Association, and the Jesuit Schools Network.
• Coordinates city, state, and Federal government services and their funding as applied to the school.

Academic Affairs

• Collaborate with Assistant Principals and Department Chairs to plan, implement, and evaluate the curriculum.
• Assign teaching and professional responsibilities based on school needs.
• Oversee student progress reporting, school records, and substitute teacher assignments.
• Create a partnership with parents and guardians through frequent communication by writing letters, newsletters, electronic communication, academic reports (i.e., report cards or their equivalent) and other official school mailings.

Personnel Management

• Interview, hire, and appoint administrative staff, faculty, and department chairs, in consultation with Human Resources and with approval from the President.
• Make recommendations for compensation and compensation adjustments to the President. 
• Provide professional development opportunities and other support to academic faculty and staff in collaboration with Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty.
• Maintain and track teacher qualifications and certification as well as professional development, monitoring faculty growth.
• Ensure new teachers are properly oriented to the school environment in collaboration with Academic Affairs and the Dean of Faculty.
• Oversee and track the daily work and long-term projects of the administrative staff.
• Direct the supervision and evaluation of the academic staff and faculty.
• In consultation with Human Resources, conduct the procedures for the discipline and/or dismissal of faculty members.
• Oversee the tracking and monitoring of faculty attendance. Ensure adequate staffing at all times. Provide oversight for the coordination of substitutes when absences occur.

Student Support

• Work with counseling staff to address academic and personal challenges.
• Care for all aspects of student life and programs, including academics, faith formation, activities and athletics.
• Make dismissal decisions after consultation with the Dean and relevant staff.

Other

• Supervise and ensure the efficient functioning of the academic office staff.
• Supervise and work with the Athletic Director, the school’s representative with the Michigan High School Athletic Association and Catholic Youth Organization, to ensure compliance with standards and eligibility requirements.
• Work with the VP of Finance and VP of Facility Operations to ensure maintenance needs are met for the academic, co-curricular, and public programs at the school.
• Prioritize the school’s facilities and equipment needs and represent those needs to the President and VP of Finance.
• Provide regular communication to faculty and student support staff in writing and through regular meetings.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the President of U of D Jesuit.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in educational leadership, educational administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience (certified teaching experience required, school leadership experience preferred).
• Have appropriate administrative credentials (or be working toward those credentials).
• Experience with computers and navigating academic software platforms.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Must be willing to understand and embrace the Jesuit and Catholic tradition of U of D Jesuit and develop a passion for the Mission of the School.
• Must be a practicing Catholic.
• Must attend required abuse risk management training.
• Must adhere to policies related to boundaries with students.
• Must accept responsibility for reporting any suspicious and/or inappropriate behaviors and follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.

Physical Working Conditions:

Must be able to lift light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping. Occasionally lift average weight objects (10 to 20 pounds). Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Working Environment:

Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

This posting documents the general nature and level of responsibility associated with this position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of incumbents. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and monitor the work of employees under their supervision.