Director of Mission and Community Engagement

Job Description

https://partnersinmission.com/our-lady-of-mercy-director

About Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women (OLM) has been inspiring and educating young women in grades 6-12 for nearly a century. Guided by the Mercy Core Values-Compassion, Service, Justice, and Hospitality-OLM forms women of faith, character, and leadership who are prepared to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Accredited and recognized as a leading Catholic college preparatory school, Mercy fosters academic excellence and spiritual growth within a vibrant, inclusive community. Students experience a dynamic education grounded in faith and the Mercy tradition of educating the whole person-mind, body, and spirit.

Mission: Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, is a Catholic institution devoted to holistic 6-12 education. We embrace students from diverse backgrounds and commit to being an equitable and inclusive community. We empower young women to strive for academic excellence and to develop as servant leaders, emphasizing social-emotional well-being and spiritual growth.

About the Director of Mission & Community Engagement Role:
The Director of Mission & Community Engagement will join a collegial leadership team dedicated to advancing the school's mission and sustaining a welcoming culture. The Director will advance the Catholic identity and Mercy charism of the school; strengthen a culture of dignity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and foster meaningful partnerships among students, families, faculty, alumnae, and the broader community. This position offers the opportunity to shape student formation and school culture in alignment with the values and educational vision of the Sisters of Mercy.

Key Opportunities and Impact
• Cooperatively with the Director of Campus Ministry, translate Mercy values into concrete practices across academics, student life, and operations; develop indicators to assess mission vitality and recommend continuous improvement.
• Lead initiatives with hospitality and care so every student is known, respected, and supported. Build simple, reliable practices that invite inclusion, open dialogue, and mutual respect.
• Design and deliver orientation and ongoing professional development for faculty, staff, and students that deepen understanding of Catholic identity and Mercy tradition-and inspire the OLM community to live them joyfully.
• Gather families, alumnae, parishes, and community partners around shared purpose. Foster constructive conversations and collaborations that move Mercy's mission forward.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications staff to highlight mission-aligned programs, student growth, and the everyday stories that make Mercy distinctive.

Attributes of the Successful Candidate
• Unwavering commitment to the mission of Catholic education and the formation of young women in the Mercy.
• Collaborative, communicative, and proactive leader who champions the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concerns.
• Relationship-centered leadership marked by integrity, respect, and professionalism who promotes Mercy's diverse, equitable, and inclusive school experience for all students by creating structures and capacity so that all girls continue to feel safe.
• Authentic bridge-builder who seeks to understand and encourages connections among community members, creating a safe haven for students, faculty, and staff.
• Compassionate, culturally responsive, student-focused, and solutions-oriented leader who advances diversity across the Circle of Mercy-people, programs, and practices-affirming students' cultural identities, enriching the learning environment, and preparing Mercy girls to thrive as global citizens.

Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity by reviewing the Search Prospectus.

The Search Committee is committed to identifying and securing Mercy's Director of Mission & Community Engagement on a timely and inclusive timeline. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality and care. The new Director will assume responsibilities in the spring of 2026. Candidates with varied timelines of availability are encouraged to apply and will be fully considered.

How To Apply
To apply, please submit the following materials as separate PDF attachments.

• Cover letter that aligns your experiences and skills with the school's current needs as you understand them.
• Current resume with all appropriate dates included.
• Statement of Catholic educational leadership philosophy.
• List of five references with names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.
No references will be contacted without your knowledge and approval.

About the Employer

Partners in Mission Search Solutions is the retained search division of Partners in Mission, the nation's leading full-service consulting firm focused exclusively on developing excellence in Catholic school advancement and leadership. As partners among ourselves and with our clients' missions, we value, understand, and embrace the importance of Catholic education in our personal and professional lives - and remain committed to ensuring its strength and vitality for years to come. Engaged by religious and school communities, boards and dioceses, our team of dedicated search consultants have identified and secured mission-driven professionals to serve in a myriad of diverse Catholic school and diocesan leadership positions from Massachusetts to Hawaii.