President

Cathedral Preparatory School & Villa Maria Academy; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System (VMCPCSS) seeks a mission-driven President to lead Cathedral Preparatory School and Mother Teresa Academy, in partnership with the Board of Directors. The President will advance Catholic identity, academic excellence, and community engagement while guiding long-term growth.

Key focus areas include strategic planning, fundraising, stakeholder relations, and fiscal stewardship, with a commitment to accessible, high-quality Catholic

Qualifications

• The candidate must be a practicing Catholic with a commitment to Catholic education and mission.
• Experience leading advancement efforts and engaging donors and alumni.
• Ability to develop high-performing teams and guide growth and long-term planning.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the schools’ Catholic identity and Gospel values are central to all activities.
• Provide strategic vision and long-term planning for sustainability and growth.
• Build and sustain relationships with donors, alumni, families, and the broader community.
• Oversee budgets, tuition strategies, and financial health in collaboration with the Board.
• Collaborate with the Board to ensure governance excellence and accountability.
• Foster a positive school culture and high-quality student experience across campuses.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Fundraising & donor relations

Governance & board relations

Financial acumen

Catholic mission leadership

Communication & community engagement

Talent management

Job description

The Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System (VMCPCSS), in partnership with its Board of Directors, seeks an accomplished and mission-driven leader to serve as its next President. The next President will build upon the strong foundation of Cathedral Preparatory School and Mother Teresa Academy while leading the School System into its next chapter. Working closely with the Board, faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, and benefactors, the President will advance the School System’s Catholic mission, sustain its tradition of academic excellence, strengthen community relationships, and position VMCPCSS for long-term growth and success. Grounded in faith and committed to forming young people in spirit, mind, and body, the President will provide strategic leadership that honors the Prep and Villa legacy while preparing the School System for the opportunities ahead.

About the Schools

Cathedral Preparatory School represents the consolidation of Villa Maria Academy, founded in 1892, and Cathedral Prep, founded in 1921, into a premier coeducational Catholic High School. While the legal merger took place in 2010, the schools operated as separate institutions on two campuses until the fall of 2022, when they officially consolidated on a single campus in downtown Erie. Students now share academic and athletic facilities, including a $12.5 million, 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art building dedicated to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), giving young women and men access to one of the most advanced high school learning facilities in the United States.

The President also oversees Mother Teresa Academy, a K-8 Catholic school opened by the Diocese of Erie in 2017 to provide children in Erie’s underserved urban neighborhoods with access to high-quality academics and a pathway to college preparatory high school, and ultimately college and university opportunities. Mother Teresa Academy is a mission-based school, funded entirely through philanthropic generosity.

The success of Cathedral Prep is reflected in the accomplishments of its graduates: the Class of 2026 achieved a 100% college acceptance rate and received more than $36.7 million in college scholarship offers, averaging $276,146 per student. The school offers 20 Advanced Placement courses. Currently, 117 students participate in the Gannon University dual-enrollment program. During the 2025-2026 academic year, students completed more than 8,000 hours of community service, representing more than $230,000 in economic value to the Erie community. Cathedral Prep also provided $2.5 million in tuition assistance for the 2025-2026 school year, underscoring its mission-driven commitment to accessible Catholic education.

About the Opportunity

The President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the School System and is directly accountable to both the Board of Directors and the designated Members of the Corporation for the Diocese of Erie, consistent with the School System's governance structure. The President works collaboratively with both governing bodies to provide strategic, operational, visionary, and mission-centered leadership for Cathedral Preparatory School and Mother Teresa Academy. The President integrates the School System's Core Values of faith, excellence, integrity, respect, and service into the daily lives of students, faculty, staff, and the overall school culture.

Key Responsibilities

Mission & Faith Leadership

• Ensures the schools’ identity is authentically Catholic.
• Promotes Gospel values, sacraments, and spiritual life.
• Integrates faith into all aspects of school life.

Strategic Vision & Long-Term Planning

• Sets direction for the institution’s growth and sustainability.
• Leads strategic planning efforts.
• Anticipates and prepares for future challenges.
• Builds and sustains donor and alumni relationships.
• Leads the successful execution of the development strategy.
• Ensures the fiscal health of the School System.
• Oversees budgets and tuition strategy.
• Works closely with the Finance Committee and Board.

Leadership & Team Management

• Attracts and retains high-caliber talent for administrative, faculty, and staff roles.
• Effectively leads and manages the administrative team, faculty, and staff.
• Ensures alignment and collaboration across departments.

Communication & Community Engagement

• Serves as the public face of the schools.
• Builds relationships with stakeholders across the community.
• Fosters a strong working relationship with the Diocese of Erie.
• Follows Diocesan policies and procedures.
• Ensures legal and ethical compliance.

Governance & Board Relations

• Collaborates effectively with the Board of Directors.
• Provides regular updates and strategic insight to the Board.
• Supports student recruitment and retention.
• Maintains the schools’ reputation for academic competitiveness and excellence.
• In collaboration with key stakeholders and team members, expands and strengthens academic programs.

Culture & Student Experience

• Fosters a positive, faith-filled school culture.
• Supports the holistic development of every student.
• Creates a safe and inclusive environment where students can thrive.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a practicing Catholic who embraces the mission of Catholic education and has a demonstrated record of leading mission-driven organizations. The Board welcomes candidates from Catholic schools, independent schools, higher education, diocesan leadership, nonprofit organizations, and other mission-focused enterprises. While experience in education is preferred, the Board recognizes that outstanding leadership can come from a variety of professional backgrounds.

The next President will bring strategic leadership, sound organizational and financial judgment, and the ability to build strong relationships across the school community. Experience leading advancement efforts, engaging donors and alumni, developing high-performing teams, and guiding organizations through growth and long-term planning will be highly valued. The Board is seeking a leader who can build upon a strong foundation, inspire confidence across the school community, and guide the VMCPCSS into its next chapter while remaining grounded in the Catholic mission that has defined our institutions for generations.

Ideal Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strength across the following attributes:

• Deep Catholic Faith
• Visionary Leadership
• Operational Rigor
• Fundraising and Relationship-Building Skills
• Business and Financial Acumen
• Integrity and Moral Courage
• Adaptability and Problem-Solving
• Passion for Education and Youth Formation

Villa Maria Cathedral Preparatory Catholic School System is pleased to offer competitive compensation and benefits, and these details will be discussed in the interview process.

All inquiries, applications, and discussions will be held in strict confidence.

Deadline to apply for the President position is October 1, 2026.