Vice President of Ignatian Community and Belonging

SAINT IGNATIUS HIGH SCHOOLEstablished 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. To challenge students and prepare them for college, the Saint Ignatius curriculum offers 17 Advanced Placement (AP) and 21 honors subjects. 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 employs 120 faculty members, 90% of whom hold advanced degrees. Over 57% have spent ten years or more teaching at Saint Ignatius For more information about Saint Ignatius, please visit OPPORTUNITYSaint 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 RESPONSIBILITIESKey responsibilities for this leader include:AdministrationSupervises, 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 SchoolEngages 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 schoolServes 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 communityWorks 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 backgroundsPartners with the VP of Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment to ensure that messaging is inclusiveServes 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 differenceCollaborates with Finance and Advancement to manage Howley Foundation Scholars eligibility and to select Howley Foundation ScholarsStudents & FacultyDevelops strong relationships with faculty and staff to partner with them in fostering a genuine sense of belonging and communityActively 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 eventsCollaborates closely with the AP Discipline in mediating student conflicts and instituting restorative practicesDevelops strong relationships with current and prospective students to ensure their success in an inclusive, engaging environmentDesigns 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 enjoyableOversees the Multicultural Student Union and Multicultural Parent GroupCollaborates with the Principal in mediating difference-related conflicts that may arise among students and parentsEngages outside organizations to deepen the community's appreciation of the importance and value of belonging within the school communityPartners 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 AcademyWorks 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 gradeSupports the implementation of the strategic plan of The Welsh AcademyHiring Faculty and StaffPartners with Human Resources in the hiring process, ensuring diverse applicant poolsWorks 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 culturesAlumniPartners with the 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 administrationProvides leadership in educating stakeholders about inclusion and the value of growing and sustaining a diverse school communityREACHing 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 SchoolOversees the recruitment of 5th through 8th grade students for the programOversees the hiring of faculty and staff for the programCollaborates with the REACHing MAGIS Director, faculty, and staff to determine the curriculumCollaborates with the REACHing MAGIS program benefactor, Mr. LeCharles Bentley, in the selection of MAGIS Scholars from students admitted to Saint Ignatius Updated January 2025Please visit to review the full Job description

Created: 2025-01-27