President

The President is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction to ensure the school’s continued growth and success. The President will emphasize alumni and community engagement, enrollment growth, and development initiatives to support the mission and values of the Roman Catholic faith within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This role requires a dynamic leader with a strong commitment to Catholic education, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record in organizational leadership and development.

The President is appointed by Archbishop Nelson Pérez in collaboration with the WCP High School Board and the Office for Catholic Education (OCE). The President reports to the Chief Operating Officer of the OCE in matters pertaining to the administration of the school and works in collaboration with the WCP High School Board of Directors in accordance with the bylaws of Boards of Specified Jurisdiction in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The President will assume the role at an important time for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Strategic management and operation of the secondary schools is provided by the OCE, which has planted the seeds for innovation, opportunity, and leadership. The Archdiocesan school system envisions itself as part of the world’s premier teaching mission of the Church and holds high standards for all members of the organization.

Leadership and Vision

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the school community, ensuring alignment with the mission and values of the Roman Catholic Church while promoting the essential characteristics and fundamental values of Catholic school.
• In collaboration with the Board of Specified Jurisdiction, school administration and faculty, develop and execute a strategic long-range plan that is consistent with the mission of the school and the policies of the archdiocesan secondary school system.
• Foster a positive and inclusive school culture that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and personal development.
• Provide broad leadership of all faculty and staff working closely with the Principal who is charged with the development of academic and co-curricular programs.

Development and Fundraising

• Serve as the school’s chief fundraiser, directing marketing efforts, recruiting strategies, fundraising programs, and alumni activities in collaboration with the OCE Advancement Team and WCP High School Board of Directors and key staff.
• Oversee the development and execution of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual giving, capital campaigns, and planned giving.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, corporate work sponsors, alumni, parents, and community partners to secure financial support for the school’s programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate with the development team to identify grant opportunities and prepare grant proposals.

Operational and Financial Management

• Oversee the effective and efficient operation of the school, including budget management, facilities oversight, and compliance with Archdiocesan policies.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors and administrative team to develop and implement policies and procedures ensuring the safety, security and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and volunteers.
• Approve all policies and programs, provided they are consistent with Archdiocesan policies, the school bylaws, and stated mission of the school as a Catholic community, an academic center, and an Archdiocesan institution.
• Maintain oversight of financial operations and obligations of the school, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer.
• Participate in the envisioned real estate development planning for the school, in cooperation with OCE.

Communications and Community and Alumni Engagement

• Serve as the chief spokesperson responsible for communicating the philosophy and programs of the school to various stakeholders, including working with parent groups and representing the school at civic, religious, and other public forums.
• Working closely with the Board of Directors and Development staff, develop and implement strategies to strengthen relationships with alumni, encouraging their active participation and support in school activities, fundraising, and mentorship programs.
• Engage with the local community, including parishes, businesses, and civic organizations, to enhance the school’s visibility and reputation, creating a highly visible profile to assist WCP High School in distinguishing itself in the educational marketplace.
• Attend and engage at school social, academic, and athletic events, including alumni reunions, community outreach programs, and networking opportunities.

Enrollment Management

• Collaborate with OCE, the Board of Directors and key school staff in marketing and development initiatives to increase enrollment and retention to meet annual enrollment goals as set in collaboration with the OCE.
• Collaborate with the admissions team to develop effective marketing and recruitment strategies.
• Monitor enrollment trends and implement data-driven decisions to enhance the student experience.

Academic Excellence

• Working closely with the Principal, support and enhance the school’s academic programs, ensuring they meet the highest standards of quality and innovation.
• With a mindset of growth, leadership, and innovation, ensure the best talent in education is pursued in order to provide an outstanding educational experience for all students.
• Promote professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to stay current with educational best practices.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in education, business, nonprofit, or organizational leadership, preferably within a Catholic school setting.
• Must be a practicing Catholic with a strong commitment to the mission and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Significant management experience with demonstrated success in addressing immediate organizational needs while also driving toward long-term goals with buy-in from stakeholders.
• Visionary and strategic planning capabilities to be applied toward the development of an innovative fundraising program and the leadership necessary to ensure its successful implementation.
• Proven track record in alumni relations, community engagement, enrollment, fundraising, revenue generation, and budget management.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills with demonstrated capability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders, building creative and mutually beneficial relationships with philanthropic, corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors.
• Master’s degree in Education, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Limited travel required; must be available to attend events after school hours and weekends as needed.

West Catholic Preparatory High School is a coeducational, college-preparatory Archdiocesan Roman Catholic high school located in West Philadelphia. Founded originally in 1916 the school has been in partnership with the De La Salle Christian Brothers since 1926. West Catholic Prep is part of a global Lasallian network committed to faith, service, and academic rigor.

West Catholic Prep serves approximately 450 students from across Philadelphia and the surrounding region. The student body is richly diverse, with the majority of students identifying as people of color and many coming from working class families for whom a Catholic education requires significant financial sacrifice. This reality is not new. It is central to who the school has been for decades.

One of the defining features of West Catholic Prep today is its financial foundation. Careful governance, strong advancement work, creative leveraging of assets, and transformational philanthropic partnerships have helped build an endowment that now exceeds $18 million, providing significant operating support, tuition assistance, and long-term confidence in the institution’s future.

Over the past 6 years there have been nearly $4 million in renovations completed, including the Michael McCullen ’55 Art and Design Center, the Howley Family Career and Counseling Center, the Connelly Center for Academic Excellence, and new dedicated spaces for E-Sports and Campus Ministry.
The academic program is structured and college focused. Students have access to Honors and Advanced Placement coursework and expanding exposure to career pathways. Academic expectations are clear, and systems of support are in place to help students reach them.

What makes West Catholic Prep distinct, however, is not only programmatic. It is cultural. Grounded in the Lasallian tradition of human and Christian formation, educators are called to know students personally, walk with them through challenges, and maintain high expectations for growth. Respect for each individual, care for those who need the most support, and confidence in the life changing power of education shape daily life in the building. The Christian Brothers and the District of Eastern North America remain vital partners in sustaining and strengthening that mission.

The school benefits from an engaged and professional Board of Directors, loyal alumni who are deeply invested in its success, and regional funding partners who see West Catholic Prep as proof that urban Catholic education can thrive with disciplined leadership and clarity of purpose.

For additional information, please visit the WCP High School website https://www.westcatholic.org/.