Head of School - Wichita Collegiate School

Wichita Collegiate School 

Head of School

Job Description

Position Description:

Wichita Collegiate School is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Head of School who is committed to honoring Collegiate’s rich traditions while embracing thoughtful innovation that prepares students for an ever-changing world. With a visionary mindset and a collaborative approach, the next Head will continue to elevate academic excellence, character development, and meaningful relationships among students, faculty, and families—ensuring that Wichita Collegiate remains the top private school in Kansas and a thought leader among independent schools nationwide.

The Head of School will cultivate a culture defined by trust, respect, and open communication. They will demonstrate genuine care and compassion, engaging with students, parents, faculty, and staff through active listening and empathetic leadership. By being visible, accessible, and deeply relational, the next Head will strengthen community cohesion and embody the values and mission that define Wichita Collegiate School.

The Wichita Collegiate Head of School is ultimately responsible for the overall operational management and vision of the school. This includes the development and delivery of the school’s program consistent with the school’s mission, philosophy, and goals, overseeing the school’s business operations and financial health, and assuring adherence to policy and procedure.

The Head of School is hired by the Board of Trustees and reports to the Board on the conduct, affairs, and operations of the School.

Essential Responsibilities

The Head of School leads and coordinates the administrative and educational activities of the school by executing the following functions either personally or through personnel. These essential responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Vision and Strategy

• Articulate, advocate, and manifest the School vision consistent with the School’s mission in collaboration with the Board of Trustees
• Ultimately be responsible for the overall success of the School by providing the School community with educational leadership consistent with The Wichita Collegiate School philosophy and to set and implement curriculum goals and programming.

Finance and Business Operations

• Provide oversight for business operations and ensure annual audit.
• Supervise admissions, marketing, and fundraising efforts.
• Oversee accountability for organizational policy and procedure for staff, teachers, and the organization as a whole.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students and employees under the School’s jurisdiction.
• Supervise the operation and maintenance of all School facilities.

Staff Management

• Supervise and support all faculty and staff.
• Ensure performance reviews are in place for all employees.

Curriculum Management

• Ensure educational quality by periodic program evaluations.
• Oversee and implement decisions to move forward on any curriculum upgrades and/or changes.
• Ensure adherence to student disciplinary policies and standards of conduct.

Community

• Represent the School to all its constituents including faculty and staff, parents, students, alumni, neighbors, and the broader community.
• Regularly attend various school activities, such as sporting events and music concerts, to build connection with community members and embrace the Collegiate culture.

Governance

• Act as an advisor to the Board including bringing to the attention of the Board such matters and data as are appropriate to keep the Board fully informed to meet its responsibilities and fiduciary duties. This includes but is not limited to, annual budget, tuition, enrollment and fundraising recommendations, long-term planning needs, suggestions for board policy development as well as strategies for institutional betterment.
• Sustain open communication with the Board’s leadership, including attending Board meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Trustees that may be required to meet the ongoing needs of the school.

Legal/Compliance

• Establish and execute a plan for the School to continue accreditation with appropriate organization(s) and ensure that accreditation standards are maintained.
• Ensure the school conducts its affairs in a manner congruent with its bylaws and all applicable laws and regulations.

Facilities

• Oversee grounds and maintenance.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in independent school administration, strategic planning, and institutional governance.
• Master’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
• Substantial knowledge of applicable government regulations.
• Change management expertise.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with stakeholders through meaningful conversation and connection.
• History of success in conflict resolution and maintaining confidentiality in difficult situations.
• Extensive knowledge of current best practices in independent schools, including a broad understanding of high-quality K–12 curriculum and educational programming.
• Excellent analytical and abstract reasoning skills. Ability to think strategically and synthesize complex information.
• Demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness in addressing challenges.
• Effectively balances competing priorities and consistently meets firm deadlines.
• Works independently in a fast-paced, multitasking environment while exercising sound judgment and strong organizational decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation and written communication skills facilitating work with all constituencies of the school community.
• Strives to continually build knowledge/skills and share expertise with others.
• Demonstrated proficiency in financial accounting, multi-year budgeting, and full P&L responsibility.
• Deep working knowledge of balance sheet management, cash flow forecasting, expense control, and capital allocation.
• Experienced in endowment oversight, investment policy implementation, and board finance committee reporting.
• Track record of successful philanthropic fundraising, including major gifts cultivation, annual fund growth, capital campaigns, and donor stewardship.
• Skilled in developing and implementing tuition modeling, financial aid strategy, and long-range sustainability planning.
• Ability to interpret and present financial statements to boards of trustees, and accreditation teams.
• Strong understanding of all-school operational budgeting including staffing, facilities, programming, and regulatory compliance.
• Adept at building and leading high-performing teams across finance, academics, operations, and advancement.

The Finney Search Group has been engaged to assist us with the search process. All interested individuals are encouraged to submit their resume, cover letter, and a Statement of Educational Philosophy via the following URL: https://www.thefinneysearchgroup.com/wcs-hos-application.

Applications sent directly to the School will be forwarded to The Finney Search Group.