Position Description: Headmaster
As a member of the Chesterton Schools Network, Our Lady of Victory ("OLV") is a Catholic classical high school in its sixth year of operation. Our mission is to form joyful, educated young men and women after God's heart. At OLV, academic excellence, spiritual formation, selfless service, and a focus on the arts are woven together into a single integrated curriculum. We partner with our students' first educators, their parents, in creating a joyful community and school culture.
Embarking on a journey to grow our enrollment from 74 to 160 students over the next five years, OLV seeks a Headmaster who is a joyful, faithful disciple of Jesus Christ to lead the way. The ideal candidate will be a skilled educator and operational leader who has a passion for Catholic classical education, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a track record of successful leadership in an academic environment.
OLV's Headmaster will join the fastest growing network of Catholic classical schools in the world; the Chesterton Schools Network is currently forming over 2,500 students to be leaders and saints in 70 Chesterton Academies across our nation and abroad. As such, OLV's
Headmaster will be uniquely poised to magnify the school's impact on the Catholic classical education movement in Denver and beyond.
Start Date
June 1, 2025, or at a time otherwise mutually agreed upon.
Competencies & Qualifications
- A qualified candidate will be a faithful and joyful practicing Catholic, excited about the mission and vision of OLV, who has:
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including being detail-oriented and responsive;
- A strong desire and ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, school leadership, faculty, staff, and families;
- Several years of leadership experience encompassing all aspects of school operations and administration as well as teacher recruiting, evaluation, and training;
- A passion for Catholic classical education and the desire to lead OLV to great academic success; and
- A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree (Master's or advanced degree preferred) and several years of full-time teaching experience in a Catholic or classical setting.
Responsibilities
The Headmaster leads OLV's administrative and academic teams, nurturing and maintaining the mission and traditions of the school.
The Headmaster reports to the Board of Trustees. The Headmaster is responsible for upholding OLV's mission and Catholic identity; partnering with and implementing policies approved by the Board of Trustees; leading the school's strategic planning and execution; overseeing OLV's fiscal planning; maintaining the school's academic excellence; instructing and evaluating faculty and staff; overseeing student life and formation; and providing a high level of professionalism and partnership with our parents and the broader OLV community. Those responsibilities are further detailed as follows:
Mission & Catholic Identity
- Promote and sustain the school's Catholic identity, ensure that the school's values and mission drive decisions, and integrate liturgical practices, prayer, and Catholic culture into school life.
- Collaborate with the Chesterton Schools Network to foster the school's uniquely "Chestertonian" identity, by attending the Chesterton Schools Network annual conference and fostering collaboration with other Chesterton Headmasters and leadership.
- Joyfully engage stakeholders at selected events and champion our motto, Cultura Vitae, the culture of life.
Board of Trustees & Policy Implementation
- Work cooperatively with the Board of Trustees as an ex officio member, contributing to and implementing policies adopted by the Board.
- Attend all meetings of the Board, preparing and submitting written reports in advance.
Strategic Planning & Execution
- Lead the school community in a compelling vision for excellence in our three pillars-academic, spiritual, and character formation while establishing key qualitative and quantitative goals to assess success in each of those areas.
- In consultation with the Board, continue to refine the school's multi-year strategic plan aligned with the school's vision and goals.
- Lead the school through the Chesterton Schools Network accreditation process, achieving accreditation within the first three years of employment.
School Operations & Finance
- Oversee school operations and business functions, including financial planning and budgeting, to ensure fiscal responsibility and long-term viability.
- Cultivate relationships with benefactors and raise funds to grow the school in line with the strategic plan.
- Oversee and collaborate with the school's operational team, inspiring excellence in the foregoing dimensions.
Academic Excellence
- Thoroughly understand the Catholic, classical approach to education, advance the school's educational goals, and lead in curriculum development and recruitment of faculty and staff.
- In collaboration with faculty deans, oversee the academic departments and review and approve curricular plans as submitted by teachers.
- Participate in Chesterton Schools Network curriculum discussions and Headmaster calls.
Faculty & Staff Mentoring/Evaluation
- Be the lead learner in the building: stay current with research, best practices, and trends in Catholic classical education.
- Serve as a role model, upholding the school's values and mindset, promoting the regular exchange of affirming and constructive feedback among faculty and staff members.
- Maintain visibility and establish strong professional relationships with faculty and staff.
- Direct a regular program of evaluating teaching methods, curriculum content, and classroom management.
- Collaboratively plan and execute professional development that is aligned with the school's academic vision and informed by school culture and student achievement.
Student Life & Formation
- In collaboration with OLV's leadership team, oversee the school's House system and nurture a healthy school culture.
- In collaboration with the school's Sacristan, Athletics Director, and faculty, approve and oversee ongoing spiritual formation and extracurricular activities for students and faculty.
- Ensure discipline and reward policies are communicated and enforced.
Parent Relations & Communication
- Respect and support parents in their role as primary educators by engaging them in the educational process and involving them in school activities.
-Maintain and foster regular communication with the school community, including:
- Helping parents to understand the school's policies and meeting with parents regarding student behavior and academic issues;
- Overseeing the content and reliability of the weekly Quid Novi newsletter;
- Overseeing the school's volunteer program, in collaboration with the coordinator of that program;
Community Engagement
- Represent and champion the school to, and within, the Archdiocese of Denver.
- Communicate effectively with alumni, the local community, and other stakeholders, providing regular updates on school activities and achievements.
Application Process
Interested candidates should email their application package to OLV's Board of Trustees at board.secretary@ourladyofvictorydenver.com, with a copy to the school's Executive Director, Stacey Bowman, at stacey.bowman@ourladyofvictorydenver.com. The package should include:
- a cover letter;
- a resume or CV;
- transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended;
- a list of personal and professional references; and
- a statement of your philosophy of education and your interest in supporting families in forming their children (300-400 words).
Applications received by January 15, 2025, will be given full consideration.
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time, Year-Round.
Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000, dependent on experience, skills, education, and other factors permitted under Colorado law.
Full-Time Benefits
- Health and dental insurance
- Basic life and accidental death/dismemberment insurance
- Voluntary life
- Paid time off consistent with the Colorado Healthy Families & Workplaces Act for health-related issues (up to 8 days per year)
- Paid family and medical leave consistent with Colorado FAMLI (generally, 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave at 90% of employee's salary)
- 403B retirement plan with pre-tax or post-tax/Roth options
- Professional development opportunities through the Archdiocese of Denver Office of Catholic Schools and the Chesterton Schools Network conference held each Summer
Location: 6495 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121
