Executive Director of CSJ Sponsored Schools

Executive Director for the Office of Education Sisters of St. Joseph Location: On site / Queens, NY, USA job type: Permanent / Full-time Sector and subsector: Education | Management Annual Salary Range: from $ 175,000.00 to $ 225,000.00 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. Education is 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, PR). Each school advances the mission of the Sisters while serving distinct communities, cultures, and student populations. Together, they form a network committed to academic excellence, faith formation, leadership development, and access to opportunity, with nearly all graduates pursuing higher education and carrying forward the values of service, confidence, and purpose instilled through their experience. In recent years, the Sisters have undertaken thoughtful, forward-looking work to ensure the long-term vitality of these schools - exploring financial sustainability, enrollment strategies, operational modernization, and new models of collaboration across the network. This effort reflects a proactive commitment not simply to preserve the schools, but to strengthen them for the future, positioning each academy to thrive amid changing educational landscapes while honoring its unique identity. At the heart of this work is a deep belief in the transformative power of all-girls Catholic education. The Sisters recognize that environments designed specifically to empower young women foster confidence, intellectual curiosity, strong peer bonds, 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 -carrying forward a mission where faith, education, and justice remain inseparable. 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 (Congregation’s Leadership Council) for its four all-girls Catholic, college preparatory schools across New York and Puerto Rico. This role emerges from two years of thoughtful planning led by a volunteer executive advisory group convened by the Sisters to assess financial sustainability, enrollment trends, and future opportunities for the schools. Reporting to and acting directly on behalf of the President and Board of Members, the Executive Director carries full authority to engage school Boards and administrators to lead and advance network priorities in alignment with the Congregation’s expectations and mission. Ultimately, the role exists to guide implementation of key priorities while monitoring shifts in private education to ensure each school’s curriculum, student experience, and resources remain contemporary, distinctive, and positioned to thrive. The Executive Director will bring both strong business acumen and deep understanding of private education systems to advise on financial sustainability, enrollment strategies, nonprofit board governance, marketing & fundraising, capital planning, and operational effectiveness — helping position each school to thrive and continually evolve for generations to come while honoring its distinct identity and mission. Working in close partnership with school Presidents, Principals, and Boards, this leader will help troubleshoot complex challenges and advance priority 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 different institutions, each with unique contexts and needs. 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. 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 who pairs that conviction with strong business acumen and education leadership experience to strengthen financial sustainability, enrollment strategies, fundraising, facilities planning, and governance across the schools. They are comfortable interpreting financial data, advising school leaders, and helping prioritize investments that support long‑term health — particularly within aging facilities and evolving enrollment models. Importantly, this leader looks beyond immediate challenges to anticipate how the education landscape is shifting, helping the schools adapt creatively by introducing new ideas, modern practices, and approaches that keep curriculum, student experience, and operations innovative for the future. Operating across four independent schools, the Executive Director brings the ability to hold multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining clarity and forward momentum. They combine strong project management discipline with strategic perspective — tracking initiatives across schools, prioritizing limited resources, and ensuring the network’s strategic plan translates into tangible progress. Comfortable working as a highly self‑directed leader, they can move between big‑picture planning and hands‑on execution, coordinating stakeholders, synthesizing information, and providing clear updates that support informed decision‑making. They are energized by complexity and skilled at guiding multiple entities toward shared goals without imposing one‑size‑fits‑all solutions. Influence‑Driven Relationship Builder Deputized by the President to act on behalf of the Sisters, the Executive Director will exercise clear authority in advancing the Congregation’s priorities across the schools, bringing gravitas, experience, and sound judgment. The ideal candidate brings executive‑level experience, quickly earns trust, and adds value in conversations with school leaders and boards. They listen first, offer thoughtful counsel, and guide progress through influence rather than mandate — facilitating difficult conversations, supporting professional development, and helping stakeholders move from ideas to action. With emotional intelligence and steady presence, this leader navigates differing perspectives while keeping the shared mission at the center, ensuring collaboration strengthens rather than dilutes each school’s identity. Mission‑Anchored Champion for Girls’ Catholic Education This leader is deeply motivated by and values the distinctive impact of all‑girls Catholic schools - environments where faith formation, academic excellence, leadership development, and peer connection create confident young women prepared to lead with purpose and pursue . Their commitment goes beyond professional interest; they are personally energized by the mission and see this role as stewardship of something enduring. They approach decisions through a mission lens, balancing innovation with tradition while honoring the Sisters’ legacy and the lived experience of students and educators. 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. Experience working across multiple entities, campuses, or programs — brings the ability to balance network priorities with the unique identity and needs of individual schools. 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. 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. The Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes multiple medical plan options, dental and vision insurance, life and disability coverage, and FSAs for health, dependent care, and commuter expenses. Employees also receive a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer match, generous paid time off including vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays, as well as access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness resources, and professional development opportunities. These offerings reflect the Congregation’s commitment to supporting the well‑being of those who carry forward its mission. #J-18808-Ljbffr