President-San Juan Diego Catholic High School

Job Description

President
San Juan Diego Catholic High School
Austin, Texas
Start Date: July 2026 or sooner

Lead a Catholic High School Where Faith, Formation, and Real-World Experience Converge

San Juan Diego Catholic High School (SJDCHS) in Austin, Texas, seeks a faith-filled, relational, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next President. Co-sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross and the Diocese of Austin, San Juan Diego offers a distinctive Catholic high school model that integrates rigorous academics, intentional faith formation, and a nationally recognized Corporate Internship Program.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a mission-driven Catholic school that is innovative in approach, deeply rooted in Gospel values, and committed to expanding access to a college-preparatory education enriched by real-world professional experience.

About San Juan Diego Catholic High School

Founded in 2002, San Juan Diego Catholic High School serves students in grades 9-12 from across the Austin region. The school is known as "The School That Works," reflecting its bold commitment to pairing academic excellence with workforce formation and Catholic identity.

A defining feature of San Juan Diego is its Corporate Internship Program (CIP). All students participate in professional internships one day per week throughout the school year, gaining early exposure to the workplace while earning tuition support. Students graduate not only prepared for college, but with confidence, professional skills, and a clearer sense of vocation and purpose.

San Juan Diego is fully accredited and continues to grow in enrollment, partnerships, and regional impact. As the school approaches its 25th anniversary, it stands at an important moment of opportunity and momentum.

The Role: President

San Juan Diego Catholic High School operates under a President-Principal leadership model. The President serves as the school's Chief Executive Officer and primary external ambassador, responsible for advancing the mission, vision, and long-term vitality of the school.

While the Principal leads academics and student life, the President focuses on institutional leadership, strategy, advancement, enrollment, finance, and community engagement-empowering the leadership team to deliver excellence across all areas of school life.

Key areas of responsibility include:
Mission and Catholic identity
Vision, strategy, and long-range planning
Advancement, philanthropy, and stewardship
Enrollment, marketing, and institutional positioning
Financial and operational sustainability
Board relations and governance
Oversight and expansion of the Corporate Internship Program

The President works closely with the Board of Directors, diocesan leadership, and the Congregation of Holy Cross within a co-sponsored governance model that values collaboration, trust, and shared stewardship.

The Ideal Candidate

San Juan Diego seeks a President who is:
A practicing Catholic in good standing, committed to Catholic education and formation
A proven executive leader with experience in schools, nonprofits, higher education, workforce development, or mission-driven organizations
Relational, credible, and comfortable serving as the public face of the institution
Strategic and entrepreneurial, with the ability to align vision, people, and resources
Skilled in storytelling, advancement, and community engagement
Passionate about expanding opportunity and access through Catholic education
Experience in education is valued, but not required. The school welcomes candidates whose leadership experience demonstrates vision, integrity, cultural fluency, and the ability to build and lead high-performing teams.

Why This Opportunity Matters

San Juan Diego Catholic High School is not simply filling a role-it is discerning a leader who will help shape the future of a school that changes lives. The next President will steward a powerful mission, strengthen Catholic identity, expand partnerships, and ensure that this innovative model continues to flourish for generations of students.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader who believes deeply in the transformative power of Catholic education and is energized by building something meaningful and enduring.

Search Partner & Next Steps

This search is being conducted by ACELA Solutions, a national leadership advisory and executive search firm serving Catholic schools, dioceses, and ministries across the country.

To learn more about this executive leadership opportunity, including the search prospectus and application instructions, please visit the Current Searches page at AcelaSolutions.com. For confidential inquiries, contact Michael Furey at michael.furey@acelasolutions.com

All inquiries and applications will be handled with the highest degree of confidentiality.

About the Employer

ACELA Solutions is a trusted national partner serving Catholic foundations, schools, dioceses, religious communities, and ministries through mission-driven leadership solutions. We advance Catholic education, leadership, and philanthropy through actionable, accessible support rooted in discernment, strategy, and stewardship.

Our leadership partners have served more than 6,000 Catholic institutions nationwide, worked in over 90% of U.S. dioceses, raised more than $2 billion in philanthropic support, secured nearly 600 leaders, and completed over 500 strategic engagements.

ACELA provides executive search, leadership and team development, strategic planning and assessments, system design, partnered counsel, board development, and workshops-guided by a philosophy of mission over margin.