Head of School Mount Mercy Academy

The Opportunity:

Mount Mercy Academy is conducting a national search for its next Head of School. The community is seeking a mission-driven leader who will serve as the chief executive of the institution and its primary ambassador to the broader community.

The next Head of School will inherit a community deeply devoted to its mission with a faculty and staff who have dedicated careers here, alumnae who credit the school with shaping their sense of possibility, and parents who describe the school as feeling like a family. They will also pursue opportunities to grow enrollment, ensure financial sustainability, and strengthen culture and communication across all stakeholder groups.

This is a compelling role for a leader who brings operational discipline and a genuine commitment to Catholic education and the development of young women.

Organization Management & Staff Leadership

• Provide broad oversight of all day-to-day operations, including curriculum, schedules, attendance, admissions, cafeteria services, maintenance, extracurricular activities, and grading system
• Create and nurture the appropriate organizational structure to achieve strategic goals
• Oversee all employees, including hiring and orientation of new members, establishment of goals and evaluations, and final authority for dismissal and/or suspension of employees
• Support coordination of communication among parents, students, faculty, staff, and Trustees
• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture grounded in transparency, trust, and shared purpose
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Operations and Management on the business functions of the school

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Lead fundraising efforts, including major gifts, annual giving, and corporate and foundation partnerships
• Expand and diversify revenue through individual, corporate, and community giving
• Activate and support the Board in fundraising and donor engagement
• Champion enrollment marketing efforts and serve as a persuasive advocate for the Academy’s mission to prospective families

Strategic Leadership & Execution

• Implement decisions, directives, and policies established by the Board of Trustees
• Refine and operationalize the strategic plan to ensure focus, feasibility, and measurable outcomes
• Implement any major reorganization after consultation with the Board of Trustees and approval of the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy
• Balance growth with program quality, ensuring Mount Mercy continues to deliver strong academic and co-curricular outcomes

Mission & Institutional Representation

• Ensure that the philosophy, Mission, and Values of the Sisters of Mercy are realized and advanced across every dimension of Academy life
• Represent the Academy within the broader context of the Diocese of Buffalo, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Mercy Secondary Education Association, Mercy Sponsorship Network, and the National Catholic Education Association
• Participate in the orientation of new Board of Trustees members and attend meetings as an exofficio member of standing committees
• Represent the Academy at school, social, civic, and religious functions

Financial & Operational Stewardship

• Deliver financial strategies in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, including preparation and presentation of the final capital and operating budget
• Ensure financial decisions align with long-term sustainability and program impact
• Strengthen internal systems, policies, and infrastructure to support efficient operations

Board Relations & Governance

• Maintain a strong, trust-based partnership with the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment on strategy and fiduciary responsibilities
• Provide clear, timely communication and reporting to support informed Board decision-making
• Coordinate…