President of School

Job Description

Executive Opportunity: President of School
Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany
Location: Capital Region, New York
Target Appointment Date: August 1, 2026

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is seeking a visionary and strategic executive to serve as the President of School for the Catholic Central School and Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons school communities.
This is a newly established position designed to bridge the two campuses under a single, unified mission: to provide a cutting-edge PK-12 experience that blends a rich tradition of service with modern academic excellence. As the "Chief Executive Officer," the President will focus on the institutional health and external vitality of the schools, working in tandem with Campus Principals who serve as the Chief Academic Officers. An in-depth job description can be found below:

Job Description

Title: President of School
School: Catholic Central School & Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School
Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

Job Summary

The President serves as the chief executive officer of Catholic Central School (CCS) and Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School (ND-BG), incorporating the following core competencies:
• Mission-driven leadership
• Strategic vision development & execution
• Financial acumen
• Institutional advancement & enrollment
• Governance development
• Collaborative leadership
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills

The President reports to the Superintendent of Schools and is responsible for the supervision of the two Principals.

Responsibilities:

The Schools
Catholic Central School in Latham, New York, is a diocesan, coeducational Catholic school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade eight within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. Formed in 2022 through the merger of Saint Ambrose School and Catholic Central High School, it emphasizes academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment while serving families across the Capital Region. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady is a coeducational diocesan Catholic school for grades 6-12 with a long history dating back to the mid-20th century, offering a college preparatory curriculum rooted in Catholic teaching and supported by a strong sense of community and personalized instruction.

Mission-Driven Leadership
• Serve as the chief steward of the Catholic mission & identity of both campuses in fidelity to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church & the Diocese of Albany.
• Promote a student-centered culture rooted in faith formation, academic excellence, service, and community.
• Model Gospel values & ensure that all institutional initiatives reflect Catholic social teaching & diocesan priorities.
• Collaborate with Principals to support a faith-filled school environment.
• Ensure both campuses maintain safe, welcoming, and mission-driven environments.

Strategic Vision
• Develop & implement a comprehensive, multi-year strategic plan for both campuses.
• Ensure alignment of institutional goals with diocesan priorities & community needs.
• Lead data-informed decision-making in enrollment management, program development, institutional advancement, and financial planning.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration, shared services, and innovation between the two schools & with the community at large.
• Evaluate institutional effectiveness & implement continuous improvement practices.

Financial
• Provide executive oversight of financial management, budgeting, and long-term sustainability.
• Collaboration with finance staff & the Consortium Board of Trustees to:
o Develop & approve annual operating budgets
o Monitor financial performance
o Ensure responsible stewardship of resources
o Maintain appropriate organizational structure & management
• Identify revenue growth opportunities & cost efficiencies.
• Ensure financial transparency & compliance with diocesan policies.

Institutional Advancement & Enrollment
• Serve as the Chief Advancement Officer for both campuses.
• Manage current enrollment & development personnel at both campuses and hire additional support staff, as needed.
• Develop & execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including:
o Annual fund campaigns
o Major gifts & planned giving
o Capital campaigns
o Alumni engagement initiatives
o Corporate & foundation partnerships
• Cultivate new & strengthen existing relationships with benefactors, alumni, parish communities, and civic leaders.
• Increase philanthropic support & build a sustainable culture of philanthropy across both school communities.
• Oversee donor stewardship & ensure transparent communication regarding impact.
• Collaborate with the Diocesan Catholic School Office's Director of Advancement-on-advancement strategies and implementation.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, student-centered enrollment & marketing communications strategy for both campuses.
• Strengthen brand identity & visibility within the Capital Region.
• Oversee enrollment strategy in collaboration with the Principals & admissions personnel.
• Leverage digital platforms, alumni networks, parish partnerships, current parents, and community outreach to grow enrollment.
• Ensure consistent messaging highlighting academic excellence, Catholic identity, and student success.
• Serve as the chief brand ambassador of both campuses.

Governance Development
• Lead the recruitment of new individuals and professionals to serve on the Consortium Board of Trustees.
• Implement governance structures and bylaws consistent with diocesan guidelines.
• Partner with the Consortium Board Chair to:
o Recruit, orient, and evaluate trustees
o Set board agendas & priorities
o Engage trustees in strategic & advancement efforts
• Foster a high-functioning, mission-centered governance model.
• Provide executive oversight of operational functions including facilities, human resources (in coordination with diocesan policies), risk management, and compliance.
• Promote collaboration and shared efficiencies between the two school campuses.

Collaborative Leadership
• Build strong relationships with pastors, parishes, alumni, civic leaders, and community partners.
• Promote unity and collaboration between the CCS and ND-BG school communities.
• Support Principals in leadership development and school culture initiatives.

Qualifications:

Required
• Practicing Catholic in good standing committed to the mission of Catholic education.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in education, nonprofit management, advancement, or relevant field.
• Proven success in fundraising & institutional advancement.
• Experience with financial oversight & strategic planning.
• Strong communication & relationship-building skills.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-10 years in Leadership, 5 years in an academic setting

Preferred
• Experience in Catholic education.
• Experience working with boards & governance structures.
• Knowledge of enrollment management & marketing strategy.
• Understanding of diocesan systems & Church governance.
• An accomplished strategic planner with high-level execution capabilities.

Environmental and Physical Demands
This position also requires extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and occasional lifting up to 25 pounds. Incumbent needs to possess physical stamina to handle extended work hours, mornings, often beginning before the school day begins, and frequently ending with later evenings due to regular meetings occurring outside of normal business hours.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Salary Range is $80,000-$100,000 commensurate with the candidate's experience and professional background. Position includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references by May 29, 2026 to: Dr. Christopher Bott at Christopher.Bott@rcda.org

About the Employer

The Catholic School Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, serves over 3,500 students in 17 schools from Pre-K to Grade 12