Full-Time Head of School

Ambroseacademy; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Ambrose Academy in Madison, WI seeks a Head of School to safeguard the Academy’s classical Catholic identity while guiding its next chapter at the Holy Name Heights campus.

You will lead a mission-driven school community, recruit and empower outstanding faculty, grow enrollment and financial sustainability, deepen Diocese partnerships, and serve as the public face and storyteller to inspire families, alumni, and donors with the transformative power of a classical Catholic education.

Qualifications

• The candidate must be a practicing Catholic and willing to take an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium.
• Candidate should embody Catholic faith, virtue, and moral seriousness in every action.
• Clear and effective communication with students, families, and staff is essential.
• Demonstrated servant-leader mindset with approachability and accessibility.
• Commitment to mission-aligned leadership and faculty development.
• Experience fostering school culture that reflects Catholic identity.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dynamic, mission-driven school community in forming students in virtue, faith, and classical learning
• Deepen and strengthen the Academy’s identity as the only accredited classical Catholic junior high and high school in the Diocese of Madison
• Steward the Academy’s exciting new chapter at Holy Name Heights — a beautiful, purpose-built campus with expanded capacity for academic, spiritual, and extracurricular programs
• Build on strong academic outcomes by continuing to attract, develop, and retain outstanding faculty
• Grow enrollment and financial sustainability through mission-aligned strategic planning,including expanding the school’s reach to new families across the Madison region
• Cultivate deep relationships with the Diocese of Madison, supporting parishes, benefactors, and partner schools to strengthen the Academy’s community and resource base
• Champion the Academy’s commitment to accessible Catholic education by growing its tuition assistance program and mission-partner giving
• Serve as the public face and storyteller of St. Ambrose Academy — inspiring families, alumni, and donors with the transformative power of a classical Catholic education

Job description

The next Head of School will serve as the primary guardian and champion of the Academy’s classical Catholic identity, while leading the institution into a promising new chapter at its beautiful Holy Name Heights campus.

• Lead a dynamic, mission-driven school community in forming students in virtue, faith, and classical learning
• Deepen and strengthen the Academy’s identity as the only accredited classical Catholic junior high and high school in the Diocese of Madison
• Steward the Academy’s exciting new chapter at Holy Name Heights — a beautiful, purpose-built campus with expanded capacity for academic, spiritual, and extracurricular programs
• Build on strong academic outcomes by continuing to attract, develop, and retain outstanding faculty
• Grow enrollment and financial sustainability through mission-aligned strategic planning,including expanding the school’s reach to new families across the Madison region
• Cultivate deep relationships with the Diocese of Madison, supporting parishes, benefactors, and partner schools to strengthen the Academy’s community and resource base
• Champion the Academy’s commitment to accessible Catholic education by growing its tuition assistance program and mission-partner giving
• Serve as the public face and storyteller of St. Ambrose Academy — inspiring families, alumni, and donors with the transformative power of a classical Catholic education

Requirements

The candidate must be a practicing Catholic, willing to make an Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium, whose life of faith serves as an example to our students and families. Desired qualifications and attributes include:

• A Person of Profound Faith: Our Head of School must embody the Catholic faith, not simply manage a Catholic institution.
• A Leader of Genuine Virtue: A virtuous leader whose character is beyond question —someone whose integrity, humility, and moral seriousness sets the tone for every student, faculty, and staff member; in every conversation, and decision.
• Clarity & Conviction: Clear and effective communication skills, sound judgment, and genuine ambition. A leader who makes decisions that people trust, even when those decisions are difficult.
• Inspirational Presence: Energy, warmth, and a contagious sense of purpose that students and families feel from the first encounter.
• The Heart of Servant Leader: The Head of School is not above it — they are woven into it. Our next leader will be present, accessible, and genuinely invested in the flourishing of every person in the building.
• A Builder of Faculty Culture: Our teachers are deeply mission-aligned and talented. They are looking for a leader who invests in them — who coaches, challenges, and recognizes our mission advancement.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the Search Committee at [e-mail] . The Search Committee is committed to a thorough, fair, and confidential search process. Candidates are asked to submit the following materials:

• A cover letter expressing your interest in this particular position and your commitment to the classical Catholic mission of St. Ambrose Academy
• A statement of leadership philosophy reflecting on your Catholic fidelity, virtuous leadership, and sound judgment (1–2 pages)
• A list of 3-5 professional references — including name, relationship, phone, and email — noting that references will not be contacted without prior notification to the candidate

For more information, download the Head of School career opportunity document.

St. Ambrose Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in its hiring.