Executive Director - Great Hearts Christian Academies

Executive Director

Great Hearts Christian Academies (GHCA) is a nonprofit Christian Classical education organization serving the greater Phoenix area. In partnership with Open Sky Education (OSE) and Great Hearts America (GHA), GHCA forms scholars intellectually, morally, and spiritually — ordered to what is True, Good, and Beautiful – and prepares them for faithful service to the Lord, the Church, and society. Team members affirm the GHCA Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct and exemplify the mission inside and outside the classroom.

The Executive Director (ED) is GHCA's senior regional leader responsible for educational quality, campus growth, and operational performance across Phoenix. Working with the Board, Heads of School, and OSE/GHA national teams, the ED ensures each campus delivers a high-quality, Christ-centered Classical education and operates with excellence.

A defining priority is expanding to 4–5 campuses and implementing a unified Christian classical model that offers co-op and hybrid options, alongside the proven Great Hearts five-day schooling on each campus. The ED is the senior decision-maker on regional hiring.

Primary Goals

• Ensure quality Christian Classical education across all campuses.
• Grow GHCA to 4–5 campuses across the greater Phoenix community.
• Expand the GHCA model so each campus offers co-op, hybrid, and traditional 5-day schooling within one unified community.
• Oversee Heads of Schools and Operations Teams, with final hire/fire decision authority.
• Ensure operational excellence — enrollment, finance, facilities, staffing — in collaboration with the regional, OSE, and GHA teams.

Core Responsibilities

Mission, Faith Formation & Educational Quality

• Lead execution of the GHCA's mission, vision, and Statement of Faith across all campuses.
• Ensure rigorous Classical education aligned with GHCA, OSE, and GHA standards.
• Set and meet faith, character, academic, enrollment, and financial goals tied to the Strategic Plan.
• Oversee the Christian school culture, character, and faith formation across each campus and the organization as a whole

Growth & Model Innovation

• Drive expansion to 4–5 campuses, securing locations, partners, and church host relationships.
• Build the model where co-op, hybrid, and 5-day schooling share one campus, faculty, and curriculum while not compromising the quality of each mode of Christian classical delivery
• Partner with the GHCA Board and OSE/GHA teams to refine the founding model and pilot schools.
• Steward relationships with prospective host churches and partners.

Leadership of Heads of School & Operations

• Directly manage all Heads of School and Regional Operations staff, with final hire/fire authority.
• Be present on campus regularly to coach Heads of School, set goals, and review performance.
• Coach Heads of School in developing top staff and addressing performance issues.
• Grow regional teaching-and-learning and operations teams for consistent, mission-aligned execution, aligned to GHA expectations and standards

Operational Excellence

• Ensure operational excellence across enrollment, finance, facilities, staffing, and compliance.
• Oversee the Director of Operations with a focus on supporting all marketing and enrollment plans to meet enrollment growth goals annually.
• Partner with OSE Finance and Heads of School to build/monitor campus budgets and ensure sustainable results.
• Work with GHA on a major gifts and annual giving program for GHCA. campaign
• Drive process and system improvements so faculty stay focused on scholars.
• Provide accurate, timely reporting to the Board and partners.

Community, Partnerships & External Representation

• Serve as primary brand and culture ambassador for GHCA in Phoenix.
• Develop and steward relationships with donors, with support from OSE and GHA.
• Develop and maintain the brand and reputation of GHCA aligned to OSE and GHA standards.
• Build relationships with centers of influence, SGOs, local connectors, and prospective host churches.
• Grow a diversified funding base across individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Engage in local advocacy for school choice and other strategic priorities.
• Represent GHCA to investors, auditors, donors, and board members; primary face for local media and emergency communications with support from OSE/GHC communications teams.

Board Governance & National Partnership

• Support the GHCA Board with strategic planning, dashboards, and decision materials.
• Liaise with OSE and GHA national teams; contribute to network-wide projects and standards.

Qualifications

Christian Testimony & Faith-Formation Leadership

• Passionate about serving Christ by serving His kids through Christian education.
• Lives as a Biblical role model and GHCA representative for scholars, team members, and the community.
• Maturing Christ-follower who treats this role as an active expression of an ongoing walk with Christ — including local church participation.
• Practicing Christian who affirms the GHCA Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct; confident in leading prayer and cultivating Christ-centered school culture.
• Engages in the faith life of scholars alongside teammates.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of professional leadership and management experience.
• 4–6 years in educational leadership/administration or multi-site leadership; classroom teaching and school leadership preferred.
• Deep familiarity with — and passion for — Classical education and the formation of the human person.
• Demonstrated success leading leaders, building teams, and managing change.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Leadership & Personal Qualities

• Serving leader who inspires, equips, and elevates a diverse team.
• Leads change through relationship-building; self-starter with mission-level urgency.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic planning.
• Moves comfortably between high-level strategy and operational detail.
• Delivers multiple large-scale projects on time.
• Builds consensus across teams; thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.
• Works autonomously while taking direction as needed.
• High energy, humble, and committed to mentoring a mission-aligned team.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication at all levels.

Additional Requirements

• Fingerprint clearance: Valid Arizona DPS IVP fingerprint clearance card (or ability to obtain before start).
• Physical functions: Standing, sitting, repetitive movements; may move equipment up to 15 lbs.
• Travel: Regular travel within Phoenix metro; occasional out-of-area travel.
• Work location: Regional office and GHCA campuses; some evening/weekend events.

Equal Opportunity & Faith-Based Mission Statement

This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and is not exhaustive.

GHCA prohibits discrimination or harassment based on any status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws — including race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. As a religious, faith-based organization, GHCA requires that employees affirm and adhere to our Statement of Faith and Code of Conduct as a condition of employment; testimony to and adherence to these beliefs are essential functions of team leadership. Reasonable accommodation is provided for applicants' and employees' physical or mental disabilities.