Head of School

ServingSchools; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Mount Merici Academy in Waterville, Maine, invites applications for a mission-centered Head of School to guide the Catholic school into its next chapter. The Head serves as chief executive and steward, partnering with the Board and Leadership Team to align faith, service, and academic excellence with sustainable growth.

We seek a Catholic leader who can recruit and empower faculty, advance curriculum, strengthen relationships with families and community partners, and ensure a thriving,

Qualifications

• A genuine commitment to the Catholic faith and Ursuline mission.
• Proven track record of building, leading, developing, and retaining high‑performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to turn vision into action.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Financial acumen to oversee budgets, resources, and long‑term sustainability.
• Collaborative, humble, and accountable leadership style.
• Master's degree in educational leadership or related field.
• Experience with Catholic or independent schools and governing boards is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Champion the mission as primary steward and ambassador of MMA's Catholic and Ursuline identity.
• Recruit, develop, and retain exceptional faculty and staff.
• Lead strategically with the Board to advance the Strategic Plan and translate vision into results.
• Advance academic excellence through strong curriculum, instruction, and student support.
• Strengthen the school community with authentic relationships among students, families, staff, and partners.
• Ensure long-term sustainability through enrollment, fundraising, and financial stewardship.
• Lead with accountability and care, supporting professional growth.
• Be a visible presence and empower the Leadership Team to lead effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Relationship building

Financial stewardship

Education

Master's in Educational Leadership

Job description

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Mount Merici Academy | Waterville, Maine

Lead with purpose. Lead with heart. Lead for the future.

Mount Merici Academy (MMA) invites applications for an inspiring, mission-centered Head of School to

lead our vibrant Catholic school community into its next chapter.

Founded in the Ursuline tradition and grounded in the values of faith, service, academic excellence,

and the development of the whole child, Mount Merici Academy is seeking a leader who understands

that a great school is built on strong relationships, a compelling mission, talented people, and a shared

commitment to excellence.

The Head of School serves as MMA's chief executive and principal steward, providing strategic,

educational, cultural, and financial leadership for the school.

Working closely with the Board of

Trustees, Leadership Team, faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners, the Head of

School will help ensure that Mount Merici Academy remains a thriving, mission-driven community

where students and adults are known, valued, challenged, and supported.

Why Mount Merici Academy?

At Mount Merici Academy, education is about more than academics. It is about forming young people

who understand their worth, recognize the dignity of others, and are prepared to serve their

communities and the world.

Our Ursuline heritage calls us to Serviam—“I will serve.” That commitment shapes how we educate,

how we lead, and how we care for one another.

The next Head of School will have the opportunity to build on that rich tradition while helping MMA

imagine and achieve what comes next.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to lead a school with a distinctive identity and a powerful sense of community

while helping shape its future.

The Head Of School Will

• Champion the mission. Serve as the primary steward and ambassador of MMA's Catholic and Ursuline identity, ensuring that faith, service, compassion, and respect are woven throughout the life of the school.
• Build and inspire people. Recruit, develop, support, and retain exceptional faculty and staff while fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, shared leadership, and accountability.
• Lead strategically. Partner with the Board and school community to advance the Strategic Plan, establish clear priorities, measure progress, and translate vision into meaningful results.
• Advance academic excellence. Ensure an exceptional educational experience through strong curriculum, instruction, professional learning, student support, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Strengthen the school community. Build authentic relationships with students, families, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, the Diocese of Portland, the Canonical Sponsor of Ursuline Education, and Waterville Public Schools.
• Ensure long-term sustainability. Provide thoughtful stewardship of the school's financial resources while working with the Board and Leadership Team to strengthen enrollment, tuition revenue, fundraising, and overall organizational sustainability.
• Lead with accountability and care. Establish clear expectations, support professional growth, address challenges directly, and create an environment in which people can do their best work.
• Be a visible presence. Engage actively in the daily life of the school while empowering the Leadership Team to lead effectively and ensuring that operational responsibilities are appropriately delegated.

The Head of School will also provide executive oversight of MMA's Day Program, Before- and After-School Care, Summer Program, advancement and fundraising efforts, enrollment, safety and risk management, and compliance with State of Maine, Diocesan, and NEASC requirements.

The Leader We Seek

We are looking for a leader who is Catholic, mission-driven, relational, strategic, financially responsible, and deeply committed to children and educators.

The Successful Candidate Will Bring

• A genuine commitment to the Catholic faith and the Catholic and Ursuline mission of Mount Merici Academy.
• A demonstrated record of building, leading, developing, and retaining high‑performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to turn vision into action and measurable results.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills and the ability to engage authentically with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The financial acumen necessary to oversee budgets, resources, financial performance, and long‑term sustainability.
• A collaborative, humble, and accountable leadership style, with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• A master's degree in educational leadership or a related field and significant leadership and supervisory experience.

Prior experience as a Head of School, principal, or senior administrator in a Catholic or independent school is preferred. Experience with strategic planning, enrollment, advancement, fundraising, and working with a governing board is also highly valued. Business or nonprofit executive leadership experience that complements academic leadership is welcomed.

If you are a Catholic educational leader who is energized by mission, inspired by people, and excited by the opportunity to lead a close‑knit school community toward a strong and sustainable future, we invite you to learn more about Mount Merici Academy and consider joining us.

Mount Merici Academy is committed to providing an environment in which every student and adult is treated with dignity, respect, and care.