President, CEO

Job Description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
PRESIDENT/CEO
Detroit, Michigan
Start date January 2026

This is an exciting leadership position for a mission-inspired leader who is open to new opportunities and challenges. Leaders from a wide variety of professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. A candidate's professional path does not need to be in education, but s/he must believe that education has the power to transform lives.

About Detroit Cristo Rey High School and the Corporate Work Study Program
Detroit Cristo Rey High School (DCR) (https://detroitcristorey.org) is a Catholic college preparatory high school that serves 270 young women and men in grades 9 - 12. DCR is religiously sponsored by the The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and The Basilian Fathers. The school opened its doors in 2008 and is located in Southwest Detroit, less than four miles from downtown. Its operating budget of $4.8 million is primarily covered through fundraising (45%) and the Corporate Work Study Program (42%). DCR students earn up to half of their tuition while gaining valuable workplace experience and developing the confidence and professional skills that will give them an advantage in college and careers.

About the Cristo Rey Network
Detroit Cristo Rey High School is part of the Cristo Rey Network of 40 high schools located throughout the U.S. Cristo Rey schools empower student formation through the integration of rigorous college preparatory academics, four years of professional work experience, support to and through college, and Catholic educational values. Cristo Rey students earn money towards their own private education through the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP.)

About the Position
As DCR's leader, the President/CEO is responsible for the school's Catholic identity, educational excellence, and financial strength. While the President/CEO role is largely external facing and forward looking, s/he is also responsible for setting the internal culture of the school by modeling mission and inspiring all stakeholders. S/He will be a high-profile ambassador for the school in Detroit's business, philanthropic, and faith communities. S/He will focus on mission-vitality and financial stability through fundraising, securing corporate work study jobs for students, and enrollment. The school utilizes the President-Principal leadership model, wherein the Principal is responsible for curriculum, student life, and daily operations.

The President/CEO will be hired by, and report to, DCR's Board of Trustees. S/He will be responsible for inspiring and supporting a Leadership Team that includes the following six direct reports: Principal, Vice President of Development & Communications, Vice President of Sales & Operations/Corporate Work Study Program, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Admissions, and Director of Operations/Chief Technology Officer. In addition to the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team, the President/CEO's other primary relationships include business, religious, and civic leaders; donors; the Cristo Rey Network; The Basilian Fathers; The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary; the Archdiocese of Detoit; and Corporate Work Study Program partners.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities
• Practicing Catholic strongly preferred. Faith-filled leaders of other faith traditions who are willing to embrace, steward, and celebrate the school's Catholic identity will also be considered.
• Uncompromising character and integrity
• Networking and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Building and inspiring a senior leadership team
• Strategic planning, change management
• Philanthropic fundraising
• Business development, sales
• Financial acumen, including annual and multi-year budget development
• Experience working with families with limited economic resources
• Experience working with people from different cultures
• Terminal decision-making authority, ideally in a nonprofit or educational environment
• Excellent communicator, oral and written
• Bachelor's degree required

Application Process
Lester Consulting Group, Inc. has been hired to facilitate the search process. Inquiries and applications may be directed to: Lorcan Barnes, President; lbarnes@lcginc.net; or (916) 826-5703. Applications are due October 31, 2025 or until a successful candidate is identified. For more information on the opportunity and the application process, please see the more detailed Candidate Profile.

About the Employer

Cristo Rey Schools are college preparatory, Catholic schools for students of all faiths. They exclusively serve students with limited economic resources and provide access to college through a unique model that integrates rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience.