Principal, Northern Deanery High School, Bellingham

Archdiocese of Seattle Catholic Schools•Bellingham, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Principal is the chief administrative and chief academic officer of Northern Deanery Regional Catholic High School (NDRCHS). Appointed by the Archbishop of Seattle in consultation with the Board of Directors, the Principal serves as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the Board and is accountable to the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, the Member, and the Board on matters delegated under the school’s bylaws. The Principal, or a delegate, also serves as an ex-officio member of all standing committees. This is a full-time, exempt, twelve-month administrator position requiring the Principal to be a practicing Catholic as defined in the bylaws. The Principal is accountable for the school’s spiritual, academic, financial, and operational well-being and protects and advances its Catholic identity in keeping with the vision and values of the Archdiocese of Seattle. The role provides educational, faith, and moral leadership; holds ultimate authority over employee hiring, evaluation, and termination; and serves as the school’s chief instructional leader and public ambassador. The Principal leads the school’s Catholic mission and faith formation; works with the Board on governance, policy, and strategic planning; and directs academic programming, curriculum development, instructional improvement, schedules, advising, and student progress monitoring. The Principal leads faculty and staff recruitment, evaluation, supervision, and development; supports student life and a safe, positive school climate; and oversees budgeting, financial and facilities planning, campus operations, safety, risk management, and compliance. The position also leads advancement, fundraising, donor and alumni relations, enrollment strategy, marketing, communications, and external relations. The Principal represents NDRCHS to the Archdiocese, families, donors, alumni, civic and business leaders, media, and the wider educational community. The stated salary range is $140,000–$155,000. Salary determination considers internal equity and ranges, market data, the applicant’s skills and relevant experience, degrees, and certifications. A comprehensive benefits package is offered.

Requirements

Practicing Catholic as defined in the school’s bylaws, with a deep, lived commitment to Catholic education and a genuine appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith.
Master’s degree required.
At least ten years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in Catholic education, independent schools, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a comparably complex mission-driven organization.
Five to seven years as a school administrator, such as assistant principal, dean, department chair with administrative responsibility, or principal.
Five to ten years of prior classroom teaching experience.
Principal certification or eligibility to obtain Washington State principal certification.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, faculty supervision and evaluation, and using student data to inform instructional decisions.
Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor cultivation, and advancement strategy.
Demonstrated experience in financial oversight, long-range planning, and operational management of a complex organization or institution.
Excellent communication, public speaking, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated integrity, compassion, and ability to build trust across constituencies including board members, donors, civic and business leaders, alumni, faculty, and families.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree such as an Ed.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., M.Div., or comparable.
Experience as a president, principal, head of school, or comparable chief executive in a Catholic secondary school.
Familiarity with Seattle Archdiocesan or other religious-sponsored school networks.
Experience leading institutional strategic planning, growth, or repositioning.
Understanding of enrollment-driven independent or Catholic school business models and the relationship between mission, tuition strategy, and financial sustainability.
Experience in admissions, enrollment management, or athletic program oversight relevant to the school’s co-curricular tradition.

Responsibilities

Serve as the chief steward of the school’s Catholic identity and mission, fostering prayer, faith development, service, and Gospel values.
Ensure continuing Catholic faith formation for students and faculty and alignment of school policies, programs, and culture with the Archdiocese of Seattle.
Maintain relationships with the Archdiocese and applicable sponsoring religious communities, representing the school at diocesan and network gatherings.
Serve as a non-voting, ex-officio Board member and ensure representation on Board standing committees.
Support Board policy development, recommend actions, and implement Board-approved policy.
Lead development, communication, and execution of the school’s long-range strategic plan with the Board and senior leadership team.
Serve as the final internal recourse for matters and disputes that cannot be resolved at staff or administrative levels.
Lead rigorous, college-preparatory, inclusive academic programming aligned with the school’s mission and accreditation standards.
Direct curriculum development, instructional improvement, and the use of data and research-based practices to improve student achievement.
Ensure learning support, accommodations, and differentiated instruction are integrated into academic programs.
Approve the master schedule, academic calendar, and daily schedule and coordinate school-related activities.
Oversee academic advising, college and post-secondary counseling, student progress monitoring, and responses to academic emergencies.
Plan academic and co-curricular programs in support of long-term educational objectives.
Recruit, hire, evaluate, and, when necessary, dismiss faculty and staff; assign duties and establish supervision, job descriptions, and evaluation procedures for direct reports.
Build and lead a cohesive senior leadership team and provide ongoing professional development and mission formation for employees.
Hold regular faculty meetings and foster a positive, mission-aligned employee culture with fair and consistent personnel practices.
Maintain a visible, accessible presence throughout the school and at athletic and co-curricular events.
Maintain a fair disciplinary system that supports a safe, orderly, positive school climate.
Make student admission and dismissal decisions in accordance with school policy, coordinating with admissions leadership where applicable.
Serve as liaison between faculty and families on academic programming and day-to-day school matters.
Direct preparation, approval, and oversight of the annual operating budget with the Board finance committee and business manager.
Lead long-range financial and facilities planning, including capital needs, debt management, tuition strategy, and financial aid policy.
Oversee daily operations, campus maintenance and safety, and long-term physical plant planning.
Ensure sound internal controls, risk management, and compliance with civil, canonical, and accreditation requirements; coordinate and supervise state- or federally funded academic programs.
Lead institutional advancement, major gift cultivation, fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship, and alumni relations.
Serve as chief spokesperson and public representative to media, donors, civic and business leaders, and the broader community.
Lead enrollment strategy with admissions leadership and oversee marketing, communications, and public relations.
Maintain relationships with affiliated organizations, including alumni associations, parent organizations, and booster and athletic support groups, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission.
Represent the school in the educational community, including collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Office for Catholic Schools and Catholic and independent high school leaders.