THE INSTITUTION

Morris Catholic High School is a coeducational college preparatory school, with a population of 375 students in grades 9-12 grade on an 18-acre campus located in Denville, New Jersey. The school was founded in 1957 by Bishop James McNulty. Morris Catholic integrates the Catholic faith tradition into all aspects of student life. The President, principal, faculty, staff, and chaplain ensure that the school’s Catholic identity is strong and vibrant. 

The school philosophy centers around the belief that every student has infinite value and that every student matters.  Morris Catholic has 68  deeply-committed, seasoned, and enthusiastic faculty and staff members who look to the President for innovative, creative, and motivational leadership. The school offers 18 AP courses, an Advanced Science Academy, and tiered support services for different learners, along with 21 varsity sports, a rigorous performing arts program, service opportunities and an array of clubs.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Board of Trustees, the President serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Morris Catholic H.S. with responsibilities focused on strategy and planning, financial management, institutional advancement and external relations, organizational structure and management, and community and spiritual leadership. The President delegates to the Principal the daily responsibilities for academic and co-curricular affairs.

Guided by Catholic faith and an educational philosophy that reflects a learning, serving, worshiping, and witnessing community, Morris Catholic’s next President will implement strategic initiatives designed to increase its market presence, enrollment, and philanthropic support to promote a robust and purposeful educational experience.

The President is appointed by the Bishop upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of the Diocese of Paterson.

Specific Responsibilities

Strategic Vision and Leadership

• Develop and execute long-range plans, in consultation with the Board of Trustees and the Principal, which are consistent with Morris Catholic’s mission and in coordination with the Superintendent of Schools.
• Provide visible, personal, spiritual leadership to all school faculty, staff, students, and families on issues related to Morris Catholic’s mission and goals.
• Provide overall direction, motivation, and guidance to staff; inspiring colleagues to work to their fullest potential, taking the lead role in the creation of a culture of excellence and
• Directly supervise and evaluate direct reports: Principal, Director of Advancement, Director of Facilities, Director of Finance, Director of Athletics, Director of Special Projects, and Administrative Assistant to the President.
• Embody, manifest, and advocate Catholic faith and spirituality while promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity that promotes social/emotional wellness of all students.

Institutional Advancement / Board Relations

• Set strategic vision for development and enrollment goals and actively participate in advancement while overseeing public relations and community affairs.
• Develop and administer the Annual Fund and other special fundraising campaigns, being actively engaged in building and maintaining relationships with donors and prospective donors participating in direct solicitation.
• Represent Morris Catholic High School to the schools’ external constituencies, including individual donors, businesses, parishes and institutional partners, alumni, community organizations, and others to advance Morris Catholic’s image and to raise funds.
• Create a highly visible profile and identity to help Morris Catholic distinguish itself in the marketplace.
• Act as Executive Officer of the Board of Trustees and ensure that the Board is appropriately
• Cultivate a strong and transparent working relationship with the Board and ensure open communication about the measurement of performance against stated milestones and goals
• Regularly report to and collaborate with the Board of Trustees on school operations and strategic and long-range plans, providing quarterly reports for the Board of Trustees, staff, and stakeholders of the school on Morris Catholic’s academic programs, school achievements, and progress on planned goals.

Finance / Operations

• Oversee the development of the annual budget, ensure compliance to the budget, and administer through the Finance Office all fiscal affairs of Morris Catholic.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of school facilities and grounds to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and volunteers.
• Supervise the Director of Finance in the preparation of preliminary and final budgets; to monitor income, expenditures, collections, and cash flow; to maintain appropriate financial records; to oversee the employee benefit program.
• Support the selection and hiring of qualified persons to serve as members of the faculty and administration; hold regular meetings of the faculty and staff and ensure that the general policies of the school and the Diocese of Paterson are understood and followed.
• Monitor and coordinate matters regarding employment, retention, and dismissal of personnel; salaries and contracts; job assignments performance evaluation, orientation, and training.
• Represent Morris Catholic in its relations with the Diocese of Paterson, school districts, local, state, and federal agencies and with regional and national educational organizations and accrediting agencies.

Academic Oversight

• Approve, in consultation with the Principal, all school policies and programs consistent with diocesan policies and Morris Catholic’s mission as a Catholic community, an academic center, and a diocesan institution.
• With a mindset of growth, leadership, and innovation, ensure that the school leadership is pursuing the best talent in education.
• In collaboration with the Principal, monitor all programs of the schools including curriculum, grading, testing, and reporting to parents, and disciplinary policies and standards of conduct.
• Ensure that all employees and volunteers comply with the mandates of the State of New Jersey and the Diocese of Paterson regarding the maintenance of a safe and secure environment.
• Ensure that periodic program evaluations take place and reports to external agencies are submitted as required.
• Ensure that Morris Catholic provides an environment in which professional development is supported and encouraged for all faculty and staff.

THE CANDIDATE

The President must believe in the mission and vision of Catholic education and Morris Catholic High School. The successful candidate must have a proven track record of external relations and strategic leadership. The candidate must be a motivated leader with a vision for the future, embracing the latest innovation, technology, and educational strategies. The new leader must be a physical presence – visible and available to the students, families, alumni, and community. The President must be eager to engage with Morris Catholic’s many sending parishes and willing to work alongside the Board of Trustees.

Qualifications

• A practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Church and a deep-rooted commitment to Catholic faith and values.
• A genuinely faith-guided, visionary, and strategic leader with an institutional-building
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in business, education, or nonprofit sector.
• Broad knowledge of overall operations of a successful and integrated organization including finance, budget development, admissions, fundraising, marketing and care and maintenance of physical plant.
• Proven experience in revenue generation and the ability and willingness to lead in fund development, including identification, cultivation, stewardship, and face-to-face solicitation of donors; capital campaign experience preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to build, foster and maintain positive relationships with both internal and external constituencies including administrators, faculty, Board members, volunteer leaders, students, and donors.
• Ability to articulate a Catholic philosophy of education that recognizes the need for appropriate programs to serve a range of students’ needs, interests, and enrichment.
• Excellent public speaking skills complemented by a demonstrated ability to interact with diverse personalities and situations with ease and grace.
• Superior communication skills to express, orally and in writing, Morris Catholic’s mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion.
• Leadership ability as evidenced by performance in educational assignments, i.e., have the capacity, enthusiasm, intelligence, and patience to inspire teachers, students, parents, clergy, and local school community leaders.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in educational administration, organizational leadership, or business preferred.
• Willing and able to travel; must be available to attend events after work hours or on weekends as needed.

Application Procedure

To apply, please submit the following materials, as separate PDF attachments in one email to John Bacsik (jobacsik.diocese@patdioschools.org). Please include Morris Catholic High School in the subject field.

• Cover letter
• Current resume
• Statement of Catholic educational philosophy
• Letter of recommendation from the Pastor of the parish in which you are registered