Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Job Summary

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is committed to helping the faithful encounter the living Christ through conversion, communion, and solidarity. Established by Pope Paul VI on Dec. 2, 1969, the Diocese of Phoenix is led by the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted. More than 1.1 million Catholics make this diverse, vibrant, fast-growing, and faith-filled diocese their home. The Diocese of Phoenix engages in the faith formation of the young through Catholic schools by leading them to an encounter with the living Christ and by integrating faith throughout an educational process that promotes academic excellence, moral values, and lifelong service. 

The Catholic Schools Office supports 29 parish elementary schools, 6 high schools and 4 standalone preschools in the Diocese of Phoenix.  Our schools are an essential component of the evangelization efforts for the diocese and the broader Roman Catholic Church.

The Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools is an innovative and faith-filled educational leader assisting the Superintendent in supporting the activities and services of the Catholic Schools Office.  This position focuses on engagement with the schools and community to support personnel, pastors, development and marketing efforts, and the community.

Essential Job Functions

• Articulates Catholic philosophy that permeates the schools through an emphasis on Catholic identity, Catholic culture, evangelization, and community of faith.
• Maintains good public relations within the community to enhance the image of the Catholic schools and solicits support for goals and objectives of the schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.
• Advances the shared mission and vision of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.
• Serves as a trusted partner by maintaining exceptional public relations within the community while helping enhance the image of the Catholic schools through gathering feedback, establishing goals, and effectively communicating and implementing appropriate objectives that best support the schools in the Diocese of Phoenix.
• Works in close collaboration with the Superintendent and other Assistant Superintendent(s) and acts on their behalf in the event of their absence.
• Oversees the development of marketing strategies and projects of the Catholic Schools Office and supports diocesan Catholic schools in their promotional efforts.
• Manages the Catholic Schools Office website content and social media and works directly with the diocesan Communication office on any media events or projects.
• Leads the planning, organization and implementation of the Catholic Schools Office event efforts including Night of Hope, annual appeals, Catholic Schools Week Mass/Rally, and other special events.
• Serves as a liaison between the Catholic Schools Office and the Office of Mission Advancement for special events and projects.
• Oversees the WCEA accreditation process with local schools and visiting teams.
• Assists principals and pastors in hiring, supervising, and evaluating school personnel.
• Oversees recruitment efforts for certified teachers and administrators.
• Assists with the implementation and use of the Catholic Schools online employment system.
• Oversees the New Teachers to the Diocese annual retreat.
• In collaboration with the Superintendent and other Assistant Superintendent(s), provides one-on-one mentoring sessions for new principals.
• Consults with pastors, principals, preschool directors, teachers, and school staff regarding school related issues. 
• Facilitates, mediates and/or provides direction as needed in conflict management matters.
• Plans and facilitates monthly principal meetings in collaboration with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent(s).
• Oversees the implementation and revision of evaluation processes for teachers, administrators, and classified employees.
• Plans and facilitates regular meetings with non-instructional school staff groups (deans of discipline, counselors, health professionals, high school athletic directors, school technology coordinators, etc.)
• In cooperation with the other Assistant Superintendent(s), plans and facilitates meetings with elementary and high school instructional staffs (i.e., Assistant principals, campus ministers, librarians and others as needed).
• At the direction of the Superintendent, provides supervision and evaluation of principals at Diocesan schools.
• In cooperation with the Superintendent and other Assistant Superintendent(s), develops, organizes, directs, and implements in-service programs and opportunities including the diocesan-wide Educator Day and Spring In-service.
• Collaborates with diocesan offices/departments on issues that affect Catholic schools.
• Communicates with parents and other community members who contact the Catholic Schools Office and serves as a liaison with the schools on any issues reported. 
• Works with committees at the request of superintendent.
• Performs any other job-related tasks to ensure the efficient operations of the Catholic Schools office as assigned by the Superintendent.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Additional Job Functions

• Performs any other job-related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of the structure and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Ability to use management practices that promote collegiality, teamwork, and collaborative decision making.
• Knowledge and experience in school/institutional development and marketing.
• Ability to assess personnel needs and implement policies and processes accordingly.
• Ability to demonstrate skill in conflict resolution with administrators, parents, teachers, staff, and community.
• Knowledgeable of federal, state, and local laws as well as diocesan polices regarding interviewing, hiring, evaluating, and terminating personnel.
• Working knowledge of Arizona State licensing requirements for preschools, elementary schools, and high schools.
• Ability to make decisions using initiative, creativity, and appropriate sensitivity to the needs of people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to personally utilize technology to increase productivity, efficiency and promote Catholic schools.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and collaborate effectively with staff, clergy, religious and laity.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and utilize effective time management techniques.
• Ability to travel to schools and meetings, sometimes during evenings and weekends.
• Ability to always maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Aware of current trends in Catholic education.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Education, Administration/Supervision, or related field.
• Five years of principal experience (preference given to Catholic school administration experience).
• Must be able to be certified as a principal and/or superintendent in the State of Arizona.
• Must be an active, practicing Catholic in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. 
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.