What are the responsibilities and job description for the Executive Director position at Catholic Diocese of Lansing?
The mission of Jackson Catholic Schools is to joyfully cultivate God’s goodness, beauty, and truth. Through our Catholic faith, we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grow in virtue and intellect, and form our students to lead and serve our communities as saints.
Jackson Catholic Schools (JCS) is a unified system of four schools under the leadership of the Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, guided by the diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Schools. This includes three parochial elementary schools: Queen of the Miraculous Medal, St.John the Evangelist, and St. Mary Star of the Sea (Pre-K to 6), and Lumen Christi Catholic School (grades 7-12). With approximately 1,000 students, JCS aims to transform the lives of students and the broader Jackson community through the gift of Catholic education.
JCS seeks a visionary and faithful Catholic leader to serve as Executive Director. This individual will also hold the role of President of Lumen Christi Catholic School, fostering spiritual growth, driving academic excellence, and promoting community engagement in alignment with JCS's mission and core values.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Executive Director provides strategic leadership across Jackson Catholic Schools, ensuring the full realization of its mission. As Executive Director, this leadership role is responsible for personnel, finances, advancement, recruitment, admissions, external relations, and facilities and also serves as the Chief Academic Officer. The Executive Director serves as the President and administrator of the juridic person of Lumen Christi, subject to diocesan laws and the directives of the Bishop and Superintendent.
The Executive Director embodies and promotes the core values of Jackson Catholic Schools:
- Living Faith: The Holy Spirit inspires all that we do through our Catholic faith and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We seek to discover His Will and become saints, called to be the Light of Christ to all.
- Achieve Excellence: We cultivate intellect and the pursuit of truth, inspiring academic achievement and pursuing the highest standards in arts and athletics.
- Develop Character: We joyfully celebrate virtues and cultivate leaders who serve family, parish, and community, striving to model our lives after the saints.
- Promote Teamwork: We collaborate and support each other in our mission, honoring traditions and uniting with our Church, schools, and parish communities.
- Be Warm and Welcoming: We embrace the dignity of all God’s children, welcoming all who seek to join our community and joyfully serving those in need.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide spiritual, academic, and operational leadership across Jackson Catholic Schools.
- Collaborate and consult with diocesan leadership, pastors, governing Boards, principals, and school communities to implement the mission and the strategic plan.
- Implement laws, directives, goals, and policies issued by competent authority.
- Serve as a key liaison between the Board of Governors, Board of Trustees, and the Diocese of Lansing.
- Develop and oversee strategic initiatives for growth in faith formation, enrollment, academic programs, advancement, and community engagement.
- Foster intellectual and spiritual growth, student learning, and scholarly and creative activities by implementing strategic initiatives in faith formation and academic programs.
- Develop organizational structure of Jackson Catholic Schools, including job descriptions, and evaluate effectiveness of organizational mission and goals.
- Oversee fundraising, advancement efforts, and alumni relations to support the sustainability and growth of JCS.
- Oversee execution of fiscal responsibility, managing budgets and ensuring long-term financial health.
- Support faculty development, ensuring excellence in teaching, professional growth, and alignment with Catholic educational standards.
- Ensure alignment of all responsibilities to the mission of the Catholic Church and the values of Jackson Catholic Schools.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, demonstrating commitment to Catholic education.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in education, administration, business, or a related field.
- Proven leadership experience in academic, nonprofit, or business management.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, and community engagement.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to inspire and lead teams.
- Experience working with Catholic schools preferred.
SUPERVISION AND REPORTING:
The Executive Director reports directly to the diocesan Superintendent of schools and, ultimately, the Bishop of Lansing, in consultation with the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees. The Executive Director supervises the Jackson Catholic Schools’ leadership team and principals of all JCS schools.
TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to Elaine Crosby at ecrosby@myjacs.org. For more information, visit JacksonCatholicSchools.org.
