Headmaster / Principal
St. Bernard Preparatory School
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, Alabama is seeking a Headmaster to lead as the chief academic and operational leader. This role involves ensuring a rigorous college-preparatory education, building strong faculty teams, and promoting a culture rooted in faith and character.
The ideal candidate will have significant educational leadership experience, a commitment to Catholic education, and exemplary communication skills. This full-time position demands a daily on-campus presence, including evenings and weekends for events.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, or a related field required.
- Significant teaching and progressive academic leadership experience are essential.
- Experience in independent, Catholic, college-preparatory, or boarding schools preferred.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and improvement of the academic program.
- Oversee curriculum design and academic compliance.
- Cultivate a school culture of academic excellence.
- Provide leadership in student support and communication with families.
- Manage faculty recruitment, development, and operations.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Headmaster serves as the chief academic and operational leader of St. Bernard Preparatory School, responsible for building and sustaining the academic program and the excellence of the daily student experience. The Headmaster leads faculty, oversees curriculum and instruction, and shapes the school culture in alignment with the school’s Catholic identity and Benedictine tradition.
As the senior on-campus leader of the educational program, the Headmaster ensures that every student receives a rigorous, mission-centered college-preparatory education in an environment that supports their spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth.
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a rigorous college-preparatory academic program.
- Oversee curriculum design, course offerings, academic standards, and instructional practices.
- Set and uphold high expectations for teaching effectiveness, student learning, and academic achievement.
- Lead accreditation, academic compliance, and program review processes.
- Cultivate a school-wide culture of academic excellence and intellectual engagement.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, support, and evaluate faculty.
- Lead faculty professional development, instructional coaching, and mentorship.
- Establish clear expectations for classroom culture, communication, and student engagement.
- Foster a collaborative, mission-driven faculty community.
- Oversee daily school operations, including schedule, academic calendar, and school events.
- Cultivate a school environment that supports students’ spiritual, intellectual, social, and emotional development.
- Set academic policies and student conduct standards; partner with the Assistant Headmaster, who directs day‑to‑day student life, discipline, and the residential boarding program.
- Review and act on disciplinary recommendations from the Assistant Headmaster and Discipline Committee, ensuring just and consistent application of school policy.
- Promote a culture rooted in faith, character, service, and community.
- Oversee guidance and counseling services, including academic advising and college counseling.
- Partner with the Guidance Counselor to support student academic progress and personal development.
- Ensure timely, coordinated response to student academic, social, and emotional needs.
- On-going presence among the students.
- Provide leadership oversight of athletic and co-curricular programs through supervision of the Athletic Director.
- Ensure alignment between academic, athletic, and student life programs.
- Support the integration of co-curricular experiences into the broader formation of students.
- Communicate frequently and proactively with families regarding academic expectations, student progress, and school events.
- Address parent concerns and build strong partnerships with families.
- Cultivate trust and transparency between the school and its parent community.
- Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and contribute to institutional strategy and planning.
- Partner with the President on operational priorities, institutional initiatives, and school health.
- Supervise the Assistant Headmaster, Guidance Counselor, Athletic Director, and other direct reports as assigned.
- Manage the academic budget and contribute to broader school budget planning in coordination with the President.
- Ensure all aspects of the academic program reflect the Catholic identity and Benedictine tradition of the school – in cooperation with the School Chaplain and the monastic community.
- Partner with the monastic community to support the spiritual life of students and faculty.
- Model the values of faith, scholarship, service, and stewardship in daily leadership.
- Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, school administration, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Significant teaching experience, with progressive academic leadership experience.
- Experience in independent, Catholic, college-preparatory, or boarding schools preferred.
- Strong instructional leadership and curriculum development expertise.
- Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain excellent faculty.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Sound judgment and the ability to balance multiple competing priorities.
- Collaborative leadership style and ability to work effectively across departments.
- Deep commitment to the Catholic and Benedictine mission of the school.
- Strength of the academic program and student academic outcomes.
- Success in college placement and student preparation for higher education.
- Faculty recruitment, retention, and professional growth.
- Quality of the daily student experience and school culture.
- Strong parent partnership and family satisfaction.
- Successful accreditation and academic compliance.
Employment Status: Full-time, year-round
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Compensation: Commensurate with experience
Benefits: Eligible for the school’s full benefits package
Work Schedule: Daily on-campus presence required during the academic year, with evening and weekend commitments for school events, parent meetings, performances, and athletic competitions
Work Environment: Active school campus with regular movement between classrooms, offices, and event venues
Background Check: Required, including diocesan safe environment training
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