Executive Director & Head of School — Mountain Academy

Edgility Search; Norden (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sugar Bowl Academy, nestled atop Donner Summit in California, seeks an Executive Director & Head of School to unite academics, athletics, and residential life under one mission. The leader will set the vision, strengthen culture, and build key partnerships with the Sugar Bowl Resort to advance a cohesive, mission-driven campus community.

The role demands seasoned leadership, financial stewardship, and a commitment to developing students who excel in sport, academics, and life—on snow and beyond.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of a complex organization—navigating multiple domains.
• Relational, unifying presence able to connect with diverse stakeholders.
• A transparent, inclusive, and collaborative leadership style.
• Strong ability to delegate and empower experts.
• Energy and confidence for fundraising and donor engagement.
• Even-handed steadiness, calm under pressure, decisive when needed.
• Credibility in academics and high-level athletics and snow sports.
• Financial and operational acumen, including budgets and long-range planning.
• Listener's instinct to learn the place, value its history, and build thoughtfully.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Next Era by shaping clarity, capacity, and community for the academy.
• Lead one remarkable team across school, athletics, and residential life.
• Set a strategic vision and serve as chief storyteller to families and partners.
• Champion the dual pathway of academic and athletic excellence.
• Develop and sustain an exceptional team through growth and collaboration.
• Inspire generosity through fundraising and donor relations.
• Strengthen culture and ensure a welcoming, high-performance environment.
• Expand reach and impact through national enrollment and partnerships.
• Shape the boarding experience to differentiate the campus life.
• Leverage Sugar Bowl Resort partnership for long-term success.
• Build the campus master plan aligning program needs with capital priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Relational presence

Transparent communication

Delegation

Fundraising

Calm and decisive

Academic/athletic credibility

Financial/operational acumen

Active listening

Long-term stewardship

Education

Experience with leading complex organizations

Job description

Sugar Bowl Academy, nestled atop Donner Summit in California, seeks an Executive Director & Head of School to unite academics, athletics, and residential life under one mission. The leader will set the vision, strengthen culture, and build key partnerships with the Sugar Bowl Resort to advance a cohesive, mission-driven campus community.

The role demands seasoned leadership, financial stewardship, and a commitment to developing students who excel in sport, academics, and life—on snow and beyond.