Vice President of Ignatian Community and Belonging: Saint Ignatius High School

Company: Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Location: Cleveland
Posted on: February 18, 2025

Job Description:

Vice President of Ignatian Community and Belonging: Saint Ignatius High SchoolSaint Ignatius High SchoolCleveland, OhioSAINT IGNATIUS HIGH SCHOOL Established in 1886, Saint Ignatius High School is a highly successful Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory high school for young men in Cleveland, Ohio. The school is known nationally as a leader in educational excellence and faith formation. Academically, Saint Ignatius prepares all of its students to think critically and to develop the knowledge and skills they need for college and beyond. It is a regional and state leader in National Merit finalists and Advanced Placement scholars. Nearly 100% of Saint Ignatius students go on to four-year college programs at universities across the United States and beyond. The U.S. Department of Education has designated Saint Ignatius High School a Blue Ribbon school. As important as academics are, the school also excels in faith formation. While respecting all faith traditions within the community, Saint Ignatius is a Catholic high school sponsored by the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits) and is animated by Jesuit spirituality. A solid four-year theology curriculum, annual retreats, frequent liturgies, and a robust culture of service to the needy are mainstays of faith formation at Saint Ignatius. The gospel of Jesus Christ and commitment to the Catholic faith provide the context in which academic, faith and service, athletic, and social/emotional formation occur. Saint Ignatius High School opened its doors in the late 19th century to serve Cleveland's burgeoning immigrant population. In recent years, Saint Ignatius embraced its history as a school committed to the city and its ever-changing population. Under its current leader, Fr. Raymond P. Guiao, SJ, the diversity of Saint Ignatius High School's student body now closely reflects that of the city of Cleveland in which it is located. The school remains committed to preparing young men to live and lead in a changing world with all of its challenges and opportunities, faithful to the school's mission of preparing young men for their adult lives by coming to know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. With a motto of "Men for Others," there is a prime concern for the development of Christian values among all students. The centerpiece of Jesuit education is the promotion of faith in the service of justice. With over twenty programs composing the school's Christian Action Team, students perform an average of 15,000+ hours of non-required service to the community annually. Jesuit schools emphasize care of the whole person (cura personalis) in its approach to education, an approach that recognizes and celebrates the natural talents and creative abilities of persons; where care extends to the economically poor, the socially marginalized, and the educationally disadvantaged is commonplace; where stakeholders find the challenge, encouragement, and support needed to reach their fullest potential for excellence. Saint Ignatius enrolls more than 1,400 young men who hail from 96 municipalities in a nine-county region of northeast Ohio. Thanks to generous alumni and benefactors, over 50% of Saint Ignatius students receive some level of tuition assistance, with an average gift of half the tuition cost. Saint Ignatius employs 120 faculty members, 90% of whom hold advanced degrees. Over 57% have spent ten years or more teaching at Saint Ignatius.THE OPPORTUNITY Saint Ignatius is seeking a Vice President of Ignatian Community and Belonging to advance and deepen the school's inclusive and diverse culture through innovative collaborations with academics, admissions, advancement, athletics, enrollment, marketing, and student services. Reporting to and partnering with the school's President and Chief Mission Officer, this leader will work collaboratively with all administrators, faculty, and staff to advance a vision of community and belonging at Saint Ignatius, a vision aligned with gospel values, inspiring all members of the school community to incorporate a commitment to peace, justice, growth and positive change into every aspect of their work. In partnership with the President and Chief Mission Officer, the VP will deepen a climate and culture at Saint Ignatius that supports the cura personalis of every member of the school community. The VP serves as the primary driver of cultural competence among its faculty, staff, and administrators, with a particular focus on students of color who historically have been underrepresented in Saint Ignatius' student population. The VP will be tasked with advancing a comprehensive strategic and operational vision for deepening a sense of belonging among all students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Key responsibilities for this leader include:

• Administration

• Supervises, mentors, and empowers the Director of the Office of Ignatian Community and Belonging in the engagement of the Saint Ignatius community (academics, formation, recruitment, and retention)
• Works with the Office of Ignatian Community and Belonging to align strategy and operations with broader Community and Belonging initiatives throughout Saint Ignatius High School
• Engages as a member of Senior Staff in the support of the President in the discernment and formulation of school policies pertaining to the mission and strategic direction of the school
• Serves as a trusted advocate and coach for cultural competence and awareness in the everyday life of the school through formal and informal interactions with all members of the school community
• Works with the Principal, Assistant Principals (Academics, Faculty Formation, Student Life, Student Discipline, and Student Services), Counselors, Director of Athletics and Coaches to ensure that policies are respectful of all students and are applied consistently and appropriately, recognizing cultural differences and backgrounds
• Partners with the VP of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment to ensure that messaging is inclusive
• Serves as a thought partner to the Principal of the high school and Principal of The Welsh Academy on issues related to academics, discipline, and challenges associated with difference
• Collaborates with Finance and Advancement to manage Howley Foundation Scholars eligibility and to select Howley Foundation Scholars
• Students & Faculty
  • Develops strong relationships with faculty and staff to partner with them in fostering a genuine sense of belonging and community
  • Actively participates in the annual work of the Admissions Selection Committee, playing a key role in Freshman Orientation, Open House, Admissions Testing, and all admissions and enrollment events
  • Collaborates closely with the AP Discipline in mediating student conflicts and instituting restorative practices
  • Develops strong relationships with current and prospective students to ensure their success in an inclusive, engaging environment
  • Designs and implements programs for the community that focus on ensuring that the experiences of all students at Saint Ignatius is academically, socially, and culturally fulfilling, empowering, and enjoyable
  • Oversees the Multicultural Student Union and Multicultural Parent Group
  • Collaborates with the Principal in mediating difference-related conflicts that may arise among students and parents
  • Engages outside organizations to deepen the community's appreciation of the importance and value of belonging within the school community
  • Partners with the Principal, AP of Faculty Formation and the Professional Development Committee to offer at least one annual DEI-focused faculty professional development session
  • The Welsh Academy
    • Works with the Principal of The Welsh Academy to ensure the curriculum and associated programs are optimized for all students to prepare them well to enter Saint Ignatius High School in the ninth grade
    • Supports the implementation of the strategic plan of The Welsh Academy
    • Hiring Faculty and Staff
      • Partners with Human Resources in the hiring process, ensuring diverse applicant pools
      • Works with the Director of Human Resources to ensure hiring policies and practices that provide open doors for people of color, women, and all backgrounds and cultures
      • Alumni
        • Partners with the Director of Alumni Relations to steward relationships with diverse alumni
        • Provides leadership resources to diverse alumni and serves as an effective liaison between diverse alumni and the school administration
        • Provides leadership in educating stakeholders about inclusion and the value of growing and sustaining a diverse school community
        • REACHing MAGIS (5th-8th Grade Program)
          • Supervises the work of the Director of the Office of Ignatian Community and Belonging in leading the REACHing MAGIS Grade School Program and works with the Office of Ignatian Community and Belonging to align strategy and operations with broader Community and Belonging initiatives throughout Saint Ignatius High School
          • Oversees the recruitment of 5th through 8th grade students for the program
          • Oversees the hiring of faculty and staff for the program
          • Collaborates with the REACHing MAGIS Director, faculty, and staff to determine the curriculum
          • Collaborates with the REACHing MAGIS program benefactor, Mr. LeCharles Bentley, in the selection of MAGIS Scholars from students admitted to Saint IgnatiusCANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:
          • Champion and Advocate of Ignatian Community and Belonging
            • The VP should come to Saint Ignatius with deep expertise and proven results in the principles of mission-driven diversity, equity, and inclusion. He or she must possess a rich understanding of strategies that support cultural transformation and be equipped with a multi-faceted understanding of the evolving DEI landscape and best practices.
            • The VP should manifest a desire to assist Saint Ignatius and its community in developing a shared language and tools to promote community and belonging.
            • The candidate must have a thoughtful empathetic approach and be known as an active listener and responsive leader.
            • The VP should be a resourceful coach and capable facilitator who possesses the ability to motivate others to action in support of a school environment where all students feel genuinely engaged and valued.
            • Relationship Builder and Collaborator
              • Critical to success in this role, the VP will be skilled at building and sustaining healthy and vibrant relationships in the community with both adults and students.
              • The VP will be a natural partner with a demonstrated ability to connect, build bridges, and foster respect and understanding.
              • As an engaged and supportive leader, the VP will have a travel record of motivating and inspiring others to achieve impact through creativity and by leveraging individual strengths to meet strategic goals.
              • The VP will have demonstrated leadership in partnering with adults, mentoring youth, and will present as a role model for inclusivity and belonging to Saint Ignatius students, faculty, and staff members.
              • The VP will foster an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership among all constituencies of the school community.
              • Ambassador
                • The VP serves as an ambassador for Saint Ignatius High School and its mission.
                • The VP will work tirelessly as an ambassador and advocate for community and belonging for all who teach and learn in the Saint Ignatius High School community.
                • The VP will have the skills to articulate and broaden the vision of mission-driven DEI at Saint Ignatius to its current students, their families, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni, as well as prospective students and key stakeholders.
                • The VP will be an exceptional communicator and persuasive leader, able to achieve consensus amidst differing opinions.
                • The VP will have a deep understanding of faith-based secondary education, with an instinctively inclusive leadership philosophy.
                • Culturally competent him or herself, the VP will have the character necessary to develop rapport with individuals of varying philosophies, backgrounds, and cultures.
                • Change Agent
                  • A catalyst for cultural transformation, the VP will inspire others to think entrepreneurially and propose new ideas.
                  • The VP will have practical experience in communicating change, including those related key systems and historic practices.
                  • The VP will be a proactive, collaborative change agent as well as a charismatic leader, possessing a growth mindset to challenge the status quo respectfully and appropriately.
                  • This leader will engage a servant-leadership approach that is empowering to the Saint Ignatius High School community and culture.
                  • With confidence and gravitas, the VP will operate with a high degree of transparency and clarity.
                  • The VP will possess an entrepreneurial spirit, with a measurable track record of strong results and an outcome-driven mindset.
                  • The VP will also possess demonstrated data analysis experience toward data-driven decision-making.
                  • A proven creative thinker, the VP will oversee planning and development of initiatives, diagnose critical areas for attention, build shared understanding across the school community, and implement decisive, clear strategies.
                  • Passion for Mission
                    • The VP will embody the values and mission of Saint Ignatius and, as a result, will inspire and motivate others to deepen a culture of belonging as a constituent part of the school's mission.
                    • An empathic, confident, and respectful leader, the VP will possess a deep commitment to Christian service and Ignatian spirituality, to be influenced, directed, and formed in it, and to understand that his or her work must flow from it.
                    • The VP will believe that praise, reverence, and service should mark the relationship that exists not only between teachers and students, but among all members of the school community.
                    • The VP will lead by example.
                    • The ideal candidate will be passionate about developing Saint Ignatius into a school community that is the pinnacle of gospel-inspired community and belonging practices in secondary education.
                    • The VP will have an eye constantly focused on the future and how to best adapt Saint Ignatius in response to an ever-changing world.
                    • The VP will have a collaborative spirit and will be a charismatic leader with a sense of humor.
                    • The VP will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values - someone who can be trusted without reservation.
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Keywords: Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Cleveland , Vice President of Ignatian Community and Belonging: Saint Ignatius High School, Executive , Cleveland, Ohio