Head of School

Job description

Mount Mercy Academy is conducting a national search for its next Head of School . The community is seeking a mission-driven leader who will serve as the chief executive of the institution and its primary ambassador to the broader community.

The next Head of School will inherit a community deeply devoted to its mission with a faculty and staff who have dedicated careers here, alumnae who credit the school with shaping their sense of possibility, and parents who describe the school as feeling like a family. They will also pursue opportunities to grow enrollment, ensure financial sustainability, and strengthen culture and communication across all stakeholder groups.

The start date for this position is Summer 2027.

About Mount Mercy Academy

Mount Mercy Academy is a Catholic college-preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Buffalo Regional Community of the Sisters of Mercy and dedicated to carrying out its educational mission in the spirit of Catherine McAuley. Founded in 1904 and nestled in a residential area of South Buffalo, the Academy has educated more than thousands of graduates over its 120-year history.

Mount Mercy affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals and fosters faith with a commitment to the challenges of building a just society. The board of trustees, faculty, and staff, alongside a dedicated community of families and alumnae, seek to maintain a nurturing atmosphere where Mercy students are called to be women of faith, knowledge, integrity, and compassion.

The Academy serves students in grades 9–12 and offers a broad academic program including Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment opportunities, and specialty academies in areas such as Science & Healthcare, Leadership, and the Social Sciences. Over 85% of students participate in after-school athletics or activities, and every student completes at least 100 hours of community service during their four years.

Mount Mercy is now at an important inflection point that calls for focused, forward-facing leadership to strengthen financial sustainability, grow enrollment, and ensure the Academy continues to fulfill its mission for the next generation of young women in Western New York.

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Essential Functions

Provide broad oversight of all day-to-day operations, including curriculum, schedules, attendance, admissions, cafeteria services, maintenance, extracurricular activities, and grading system

Create and nurture the appropriate organizational structure to achieve strategic goals

Oversee all employees, including hiring and orientation of new members, establishment of goals and evaluations, and final authority for dismissal and/or suspension of employees

Support coordination of communication among parents, students, faculty, staff, and Trustees

Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture grounded in transparency, trust, and shared purpose

Collaborate closely with the Director of Operations and Management on the business functions of the school

Partner on fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, and corporate and foundation partnerships

Expand and diversify revenue through individual, corporate, and community giving

Activate and support the Board in fundraising and donor engagement

Champion enrollment marketing efforts and serve as a persuasive advocate for the Academy's mission to prospective families

Strategic Leadership & Execution

Implement decisions, directives, and policies established by the Board of Trustees

Refine and operationalize the strategic plan to ensure focus, feasibility, and measurable outcomes

Implement any major reorganization after consultation with the Board of Trustees and approval of the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy

Balance growth with program quality, ensuring Mount Mercy continues to deliver strong academic and co-curricular outcomes

Mission & Institutional Representation

Ensure that the philosophy, Mission, and Values of the Sisters of Mercy are realized and advanced across every dimension of Academy life

Represent the Academy within the broader context of the Diocese of Buffalo, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the Mercy Secondary Education Association, Mercy Sponsorship Network, and the National Catholic Education Association

Participate in the orientation of new Board of Trustees members and attend meetings as an ex-officio member of standing committees

Represent the Academy at school, social, civic, and religious functions

Deliver financial strategies in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, including preparation and presentation of the final capital and operating budget

Ensure financial decisions align with long-term sustainability and program impact

Strengthen internal systems, policies, and infrastructure to support efficient operations

Board Relations & Governance

Maintain a strong, trust-based partnership with the Board of Trustees, ensuring alignment on strategy and fiduciary responsibilities

Provide clear, timely communication and reporting to support informed Board decision-making

Coordinate with the Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy on matters of institutional direction

Qualifications

Required

Leadership experience in education, administration, or a comparable mission-driven organization

Demonstrated financial acumen, including budget management, fiscal oversight, and resource allocation

Experience leading, developing, and coaching others with a track record of building high-performing teams and positive organizational culture

Experience in or exposure to fundraising, community engagement, and external relationship development

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Preferred

Master's degree in School Administration, Educational Leadership, or a related field strongly preferred

Understanding of Catholic education and alignment with the Mission and Values of the Sisters of Mercy

Demonstrated success in institutional advancement, major gifts fundraising, or capital campaigns

Familiarity with enrollment management strategies and marketing for independent or faith-based schools

Experience with strategic planning and organizational change management

Connections within the Western New York community a plus, but not required

This is a full-time, on-site leadership role based at Mount Mercy Academy in Buffalo, New York. The Head of School is expected to maintain a consistent and visible presence in the building and the broader community, with regular evening and occasional weekend commitments for school events, donor cultivation, community functions, and Board engagement.

Compensation and Benefits

A salary range of $100,000 – 125,000, commensurate with experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered as well as possible tuition reimbursement.

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Worksite address

buffalo, NY, 14266, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.