Head Of School

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, MMA seeks a leader who understands that a great school is built on strong relationships, a compelling mission, talented people, and a shared commitment to excellence.

About the Role

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.

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.