Head of School

Vanderbloemen•Southfield, MI

20h•Onsite

About The Position

Southfield Christian School (SCS) is a Christ-centered, college-preparatory school serving Preschool through 12th grade in Southfield, Michigan. Founded in 1970 as a ministry of GraceWay Bible Church, SCS integrates rigorous academics, spiritual formation, athletics, and fine arts within a family-oriented and culturally diverse community. The school serves approximately 599 students and seeks a leader who will celebrate its diversity, strengthen belonging and cross-cultural understanding, expand equitable opportunities, and guide continued growth. The Head of School is SCS’s chief educational, administrative, and spiritual executive officer. In close alignment with GraceWay Bible Church, the Head advances a Christ-centered college-preparatory education focused on growing disciples and pursuing excellence for the glory of God. The role leads the school’s divisions and staff, strengthens the school–church relationship, guides strategic and academic development, oversees operations and finances, and represents SCS to its many constituencies. The Head provides spiritual direction and ensures that a biblical worldview informs instruction, student life, discipline, and policy. The position leads strategic planning and school improvement; provides PK–12 curricular and instructional leadership in partnership with Division Principals; oversees personnel, operations, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and fundraising; and maintains relationships with the School Board, GraceWay Bible Church, families, alumni, donors, local schools, and the broader Christian community. The Head also leads ISACS accreditation, maintains ACSI membership, and supports enrollment growth, including expanding high school enrollment toward 200 or more students.

Requirements

Master’s degree or advanced degree in Educational Leadership (required).
5–10 years of Christian school leadership or administrative experience, including budget oversight (required).
5–10 years of classroom teaching experience, with demonstrated curriculum, instruction, and assessment experience (required).
Deep love for Jesus Christ and a vibrant, mature commitment to spiritual formation and discipleship.
Active member of GraceWay Bible Church or committed to becoming one upon hire, and in full agreement with its Statement of Faith, Vision, and Mission.
Cultural competence and a commitment to the God-given dignity of every person and to a gospel-centered vision of belonging and diversity.
Ability to create a shared vision and foster trust and engagement among faculty, staff, students, parents, and the broader SCS community.
Servant-leadership approach characterized by humility, approachability, perseverance, willingness to work alongside others, and calm, courageous decision-making.
Strong instructional leadership skills, including the ability to guide certified, high-performing teachers toward measurable academic rigor and biblical worldview integration.
Executive operational competency, including managing budgets and handling fundraising.
Clear, persuasive verbal and written communication; strong emotional intelligence, professionalism, and grace in sensitive or conflict-prone situations.
Ability to plan realistically, use data to evaluate programs and drive improvement, and maintain high academic and behavioral standards.
Passion for Christian education and ability to build regional church and community relationships that strengthen SCS’s reputation and high school enrollment.
Experience in a Christian school environment with an integrated biblical worldview.
Previous successful experience leading in a diverse educational environment.

Nice To Haves

Broad knowledge of private or Christian school administration.
Previous successful experience creating a culture of giving for fundraising purposes.

Responsibilities

Provide spiritual direction and carry out the school’s Christian mandate in all areas of school life.
Ensure a biblical worldview undergirds instruction, student life, discipline, and policy; oversee Bible education, chapel, service, and spiritual-life programming.
Strengthen faculty professionally and spiritually and cultivate a Christ-centered culture.
Lead administration, faculty, and the Board in identifying needs and planning for school improvement.
Make decisions consistent with SCS’s mission and strategic objectives; use data to evaluate programs, facilities, and services and prepare short- and long-range plans for the Board.
Pursue innovation, including educational technology.
Provide PK–12 curricular oversight and instructional leadership in partnership with Division Principals.
Set standards supporting students’ academic, spiritual, and personal growth, and ensure aligned curriculum, standards, benchmarks, and biblical worldview integration across grades.
Support teachers through curriculum review, testing data, and intervention and extension programs.
Coordinate Title II, Title IV, and referral processes with Southfield Public Schools.
Lead ISACS accreditation and maintain professional standing and ACSI membership.
Oversee school administration, personnel, and operations; supervise the executive administrative team and coordinate the total school program.
Recruit, develop, and retain qualified, spiritually sound, and diverse faculty and staff.
Develop operating and personnel policies, maintain a safe and orderly climate, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Develop, allocate, and steward school financial resources; oversee budgeting, forecasting, and reporting with the Director of Finance and ensure deficits are not incurred.
Maintain a competitive faculty salary scale.
Lead development and fundraising, including annual giving, planned giving, and donor relationships; pursue $500,000 in philanthropic support within the first three years and annual fundraising targets of $250,000–$300,000 thereafter.
Build a strong partnership with the School Board; work with the Board Chair on agendas, meeting preparation, and reports; orient new Board members and help identify candidates for open positions with the GBC Nominating Committee.
Ensure timely, accurate communication with families, alumni, area churches, and the public.
Partner with Admissions & Communications to grow enrollment consistent with spiritual and academic standards, including expanding high school enrollment toward 200 or more students.
Oversee marketing, media relations, alumni, and Parent-Teacher Fellowship.
Represent SCS to local schools, the City of Southfield, and the regional Christian community.
Serve as the primary liaison between SCS and GraceWay Bible Church; foster the school–church relationship and communicate regularly with GBC pastoral staff and the Senior Pastor.
Balance and communicate effectively with the school’s staff, faculty, Board, parents, students, church, Christian community, accrediting organizations, alumni, donors, committees, city, and public-school partners.