Principal

Job Description

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Saint Genevieve School opened on September 9, 1955, founded by four Sisters of Saint Joseph, who worked to educate the children of Saint Genevieve School for over seventy years. The academic excellence of Saint Genevieve School, the many scholarships awarded to students, are all due to the early efforts of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and lay faculty.

Educating 265 students in grades kindergarten-8th, Saint Genevieve School is a Middle States Association accredited school (2024), a three-time Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education, and recognized four times by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a School of Distinct Instruction. Saint Genevieve School fosters a faith-based learning environment integrating spirituality and service into the curriculum for students.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Principal is a faithful practicing Catholic with a strong commitment to Catholic Education and the teachings of the Church, who is ready to lead by working collaboratively with parish leaders, faculty, staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders. The Principal is responsible for planning, organizing, and giving leadership to all school operations at Saint Genevieve School while ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. Keeping the work emblematic of the schools' Catholic identity and legacy, the Principal will advance the teaching and learning to continually improve the outcomes for Saint Genevieve School students. The Principal champions Saint Genevieve School's vision both internally and externally.

The Principal reports to the Office of Catholic Education within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and to the Saint Genevieve Parish Pastor and works in partnership with the Board of Limited Jurisdiction (Board). The Principal will serve as the primary representative of the school to external educational partners, interact closely with funders and board members of Saint Genevieve School, and manage (directly and indirectly) the school-based faculty and staff.

The Principal will begin his/her tenure with Saint Genevieve School on or around July 1, 2026.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary focus of the role is centered on the following characteristics, duties and responsibilities:
• Catholic Identity: Responsible for fostering and role modeling a culture of Gospel values and academic excellence. Advance and cultivate a spirit conducive to prayer and study across the school community.
• Leadership: Provide personal and visible leadership to all members of the learning community and seek continuous school improvement. The Principal will ensure equity in educational opportunities, support academic programs and enhancements, and demonstrate a strong commitment to learning and awareness while providing a safe, rigorous, relevant, quality education for all students.
• Enrollment and Development Management: Collaborate with the Pastor and the Board in marketing and development initiatives to increase enrollment and retention of students and families.
• Academic Affairs: Serve as the curriculum and instructional leader: design the academic program of the school ensuring program enhancement using the most current research and best practices available to education; coordinates the teaching assignments of the teachers; requisition instructional materials and equipment; inspire and coach teachers to excel in their respective areas of expertise.
• Student Life: Oversee the successful implementation of all student activities, providing co-curricular, life, and social emotional learning opportunities for students.
• Supervision: Direct the hiring, supervision, and evaluation of the teaching faculty and support staff; provide for the revision of the instructional programs and for continuing staff and professional development.
• Safety: Collaborate with local township, state, and external stakeholders to ensure a safe environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
• Other: Provide oversight into the continued progress and success of the school's internal strategic plan. Integrate Middle States Association planning with strategic plan.
• Build and maintain relationships with higher education institutions and businesses where appropriate to advance academic offerings and gain competitive advantage.
• Develop external partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Attend Board meetings and relevant committee meetings.

Qualifications
• Commitment to Saint Genevieve School's Catholic mission, core values, and beliefs.
• Strong motivational skills, instructional leadership, time management, collaborative, organizational, oral and written communication skills, decision making, and conflict and resolution skills.
• Ability to work productively and positively with faculty, staff, parents, and community.
• Ability to promote a safe and inclusive environment, which fosters high expectations for students, faculty, staff, and self - rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Ability to monitor student progress and promote achievement for all students.
• Successful participation in staff and curriculum development activities.
• Demonstrate professionalism, responsibility, and a strong work ethic.
• A positive, high-energy attitude and a drive for personal excellence.
• Ability to utilize computer software programs (Google Suite) and other technology that will support the learning environment.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and rapidly changing environment.
• Flexible attitude and ability to work with urgency.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Master's Degree in Education or similar field of study, PA Teaching Certification, and Religion Certification (or minimum of 12 credits towards certification), required.
• Minimum of 10 years professional experience (preferably in a K-8 school setting) with at least five years in school leadership experience or higher level educational administrative experience with a strong passion for advancing educational excellence.
• Experience working or serving in a faith-based, Catholic School, preferred.
• Extensive management experience (preferably leaders and/or educators) with a track record of success in leading and sustaining a high-performing organization.
• Experience cultivating partnerships with individuals and institutions across the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.
• Experience effectively managing budgets and the strategic allocation of resources.
• Familiarity working with a Board and understanding of the Board's role in the administration of the school.
• Ability to successfully complete school-based clearances: FBI Fingerprint, PA Child Abuse, PA State Criminal, Mandated reporter through the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Protecting God's Children, required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as:
• Traveling to external meetings - valid driver's license and/or access to transportation when necessary.
• Functioning in office space - reaching file cabinets, filing, faxing, scanning, copying, typing, mailing, making phone calls.
• Functioning in a school building - walking in halls, up and down stairs, in the schoolyard, visiting classrooms.
• Must be able to sit for up to two hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard/mouse, and typing.

COMPENSATION
Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Send cover letter, letter of recommendation from pastor, and resume to recruitment@stgene.org.

About the Employer

Saint Genevieve School empowers its students to succeed and thrive in an ever-changing world by providing a rigorous and relevant education rooted in the Catholic faith and manifested in meaningful relationships with the school family and the global community.
(2022 School Mission Statement)