Superintendent/Head of School
Southfield Christian School is a Christian, college preparatory school. At the heart of this idea is the belief that academic and spiritual excellence are not mutually exclusive. Instead, we seek to instill in our students that God can and should be glorified through all aspects of life, that all of life should be an act of worship. This truth drives and guides our mission statement, “Pursuing excellence for the Glory of God with our minds, our talents, and our lives.” This is the mission that we have pursued over the past 50 years and pray that it continues in the lives of our students for decades to come.
Job Purpose: The Superintendent of School is responsible for the effective general management of the school, ensuring the provision of spiritual/biblical worldview and academic leadership and strategic vision, and for the quality of the student experience. Southfield Christian School is a private Christian school in Southfield, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The school is PK – 12 and serves approximately 600 students. The Superintendent reports to the SCS School Board and is an important ministry of Highland Park Baptist Church.
Position Responsibilities:
Vision and Leadership
· Understands the importance of school’s mission to Pursue Excellence for the Glory of God with our Minds, our Talents and our Lives. The Superintendent will exemplify this by loving and serving the community at large, including students, families, staff, faculty and leadership.
· Possesses a clear vision for leading spiritually, managing with consistent grace-filled discipline, encouraging/fostering/empowering leaders to humbly submit to serve in a Christ-like manner.
· Directs educational school programs, including biblically-worldview-focused academics; religious, cultural, arts, and community service programs.
· Works with the board in increasing enrollment.
· Fosters a challenging educational environment that strives to support, care for, and nurture each student and helps develop each student’s academic, spiritual, moral, physical and emotional growth.
· Sets a standard for excellence for all aspects of the school’s program, including working with division heads to develop curriculum.
· Is responsible for supporting the recruiting efforts and motivating an outstanding, qualified, spiritually sound and diverse faculty.
· Plays a supportive role in supporting the Admissions process including ensuring the process is consistent with spiritual and academic standards.
· Leads the accreditation process and helps to ensure the school’s professional standing.
· Fosters a positive and safe school environment for the entire SCS community.
· Builds upon and strengthens our Christ-centered culture.
· Drives decisions and actions consistent with SCS’ Vision and Mission and which pursue our strategic objectives.
· Encourages openness to innovation and pursues new opportunities that enable SCS to thrive in a changing educational landscape.
· Develops and maintains donor relationships.
Administration
· In partnership with the Director of Operations and Director of Finance, oversees the school’s business and financial management, including annual budget formulation, stewardship of resources, planning and financial forecasting and reporting.
· In partnership with the Director of HR and the Divisional Principals, has oversight of hiring and supervising faculty and staff.
· In partnership with the Director of HR and the Director of Operations, develops and implements operating and personnel policies for the school.
Community Building
· Maintains an environment of openness and trust, recognizing the needs, concerns and expectations of students, faculty and staff, parents and the wider Southfield Christian and regional Christian Community.
· Promotes the school in the metropolitan community, and within its constituents - alumni, donors, past and current students and families.
Qualifications:
Spiritual
· A committed and “born again” Christian believer with a vibrant walk with Jesus Christ.
· A godly example of servant leadership.
· Active, supporting Member of Highland Park Baptist Church, agreeing with the church’s Statement of Faith, Vision and Mission.
Competencies
· Spiritual Leadership – Demonstrates a spiritual maturity that includes the ability to shepherd staff and students to spiritual growth.
· Communication – Demonstrates interpersonal communication skills by speaking clearly and persuasively in sensitive situations. Written communication is timely, clear, tailored and concise with the intended audience in mind.
· Planning/Organization – Prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
· Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
· Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.
· Teamwork – Quickly finds common ground and solves problems for the good of all; is seen as a team player due to cooperation and support; easily gains trust and encourages collaboration.
· Conscientiousness– Will go above and beyond to get the job done. Would never ask others to do what he/she is not willing to do; goes the extra mile.
· Cultural Competency – sees all people as image bearers of Christ and worthy of value and respect and treats entire constituency as such.
· Technical Learning – Ability to learn and comprehend new technical skills and knowledge.
· Relevancy – Stays abreast of educational trends and evolving standards.
· School Growth – Ability to build relationships within the larger Christian community to enhance the reputation of SCS and to increase enrollment from the broader region
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk sit; use of hands or fingers to move objects, tools or controls ; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk, see, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions.
Occasional local travel may be required.
Professional Development
Participate in ongoing professional development specific to the skills and competencies of the job
Maintain up-to-date teacher certifications/licenses/endorsements
Boards/Meetings/Events
Attend School Board meetings, Retirement Investment meetings, Endowment Fund Meetings, Donor lunches, School/Church meetings, Open Houses, Parent Communication Coffees, and school/sports events
Requirements
Work Schedule and Benefits:
· Competitive salary package
· 12-month position
· Life, Health, Dental, Vision, Disability and Retirement benefits 403 (b)
· Personal and Sick days
· 4 weeks’ vacation
· Tuition discount for immediate family members
**During certain times, must be willing to maintain a flexible schedule to accommodate after hours events, conferences, open houses, award ceremonies and sporting events.
Interested candidates should send their Resume, Application and Transcripts and 3 Letters of Recommendation to: Mary Ellen Alfredson, Director of Human Resources at Southfield Christian School: [email protected] Please use the Administrator Application. For more information about Southfield Christian School or for Application for Employment, please visit our web site: www.southfieldchristian.org