Upper School Director

Upper School Director

Gilmour Academy is an independent, Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition. The school’s mission is to develop students with the ability to see and the courage to act in creating a more humane and just society. Gilmour instills in every student a strong sense of self-worth through personal achievement and the discovery of his or her own voice.

The Upper School Director is a leadership role within the Upper School who is responsible for the academic, administrative, and spiritual development of students in grades 7 through 12. As a leadership team member, the Upper School Director works closely with the Chief Academic Officer and reports directly to the Head of School. In addition, the Upper School Director works collaboratively with faculty, staff, parents, and the greater Gilmour community to uphold Gilmour’s mission and Holy Cross Values.

Excellent candidates will:

Executive Leadership:

• Provide visionary leadership to ensure academic excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

• Establish a culture of ethical and professional behaviors among faculty and educational staff.

• Inspire and lead faculty and educational staff towards Gilmour’s Holy Cross values and school mission.

• Collaborate with the CFO to manage the Upper School budget, resources, and facilities to ensure efficient operations.

• Work with the Chief Academic Officer and IT department to implement educational technology initiatives to enhance teaching and learning.

• Identify and apply current/future educational trends.

• Foster excellent communication and teamwork.

• Inspire, train, assess and empower faculty and educational staff for leadership.

• Employ and promote positive problem-solving techniques.

Academic Excellence:

• Promote high academic expectations and use of data for student learning and success.

• Develop and monitor academic improvement goals and strategies.

• Coordinate with academic stakeholders (e.g., parents, board members, and faculty) to enhance academic standards and rigor.

Community Engagement:

• Cultivate positive, professional relationships with parents, alumni, donors, and community stakeholders.

• Communicate with families concerning student progress, school policies, and upcoming events.

• Represent Gilmour at community, events, conferences, and professional associations.

• Collaborate with the advancement and admissions teams to support fundraising and enrollment initiatives.

Curriculum:

• Work with the Chief Academic Officer to ensure the curriculum prepares students as global citizens and tech-savvy individuals.

Faculty Development:

• Supervise and evaluate Upper School faculty and staff, providing feedback and support for professional growth.

• Advocate for faculty perspectives and support professional development.

• Work with human resources to recruit and maintain quality faculty members.

• Foster collegiality and positive faculty culture.

Student Development:

• Create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that promotes the holistic development of all students.

• Accelerate student growth and support admissions efforts.

• Coordinate first-year experience programming.

• Collaborate with the counseling department and student support services to provide academic, social, and emotional services.

• Collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer to implement policies and programs to promote student wellness, character formation, and leadership development.

• Monitor student academic progress and intervene when necessary to ensure student success.

Integration of Holy Cross Mission and Vision:

• Integrate Holy Cross values into teaching and school culture.

• Uphold the highest standards of integrity guided by Holy Cross tradition.

• Facilitate opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer, and service within the school community.

• Work closely with the Chief Mission Integration Officer and Campus Minister to coordinate events, retreats, and service-learning activities.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, educational leadership, or related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of teaching and administrative experience in a secondary private, Catholic, or independent school setting.

• Ohio certification is required. Professional Administrator licensure preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership ability, including strategic planning, decision-making, and team-building skills.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and foster a culture of inclusion.

• Demonstrated knowledge of educational best practices, curriculum development, and assessment strategies.

• Understanding of independent school governance structures and regulatory compliance requirements.

• Proficient in articulating and initiating collaboration among colleagues.

Gilmour Academy is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Interested applicants should complete the online application, and submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references.