Leadership Institute Director - Archbishop Wood HS

Archbishop Wood High School seeks a mission-driven, innovative, and highly organized Leadership Institute Director to lead and grow the Pope Leo XIV Institute for Servant Leadership , an intentional four-year leadership formation program designed to develop student leaders rooted in faith, service, character, discernment, and purpose.

This individual will oversee the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the Leadership Institute beginning with the Freshman Seminar experience and extending through senior-year leadership and capstone opportunities. The Director will ensure that all aspects of the program reflect the Catholic mission and identity of Archbishop Wood while equipping students with the skills necessary to lead in school, career, college, parish, family, and life.

This position requires a visionary educator, mentor, collaborator, and relationship-builder who believes deeply in the mission of Catholic education and the importance of forming future leaders in mind, body, and soul.

Key Responsibilities

Catholic Identity & Mission Formation

• Ensure all aspects of the Leadership Institute reflect Catholic teachings, traditions, values, and the mission of Archbishop Wood High School.
• Promote servant leadership as a lived expression of faith inspired by Jesus Christ and modern examples such as Carlo Acutis.
• Collaborate with Campus Ministry and school leadership to integrate prayer, discernment, service, vocation exploration, and moral leadership into Institute programming.
• Help students understand leadership as a calling rooted in service to others and responsibility to the broader community.
• Reinforce Archbishop Wood’s vision of developing the “Leaders of Tomorrow.”

Program Leadership & Strategic Development

• Lead and oversee all aspects of the Pope Leo XIV Institute for Servant Leadership.
• Develop, coordinate, and continuously improve the Institute’s four-year leadership progression:
• Foundations of Leadership
• Leadership Through Service
• Leadership Through Purpose
• Leadership in Action
• Coordinate leadership workshops, retreats, service initiatives, leadership summits, and guest speaker events.
• Develop measurable outcomes and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate student growth and program effectiveness.
• Assist school leadership in long-range strategic planning and growth of the Institute.
• Support the continued development of the Institute as a signature differentiator and enrollment driver for Archbishop Wood.

Curriculum Development & Instruction

• Develop and manage the Freshman Seminar Leadership Course including:
• Unit planning
• Assessments
• Instructional materials
• Leadership portfolio expectations
• Collaborate with faculty and administration to expand leadership curriculum opportunities into sophomore, junior, and senior years, including Senior Seminar or Capstone experiences.
• Integrate practical life and leadership skills into curriculum and programming including:
• Leadership and teamwork
• Public speaking and communication
• Emotional intelligence and empathy
• Critical thinking and decision-making
• Goal setting and accountability
• Career readiness and professionalism
• Networking and relationship-building
• Financial literacy and workplace readiness
• Coordinate experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world leadership application.

Service Leadership Project Oversight

• Guide students through all phases of Service Leadership Projects including:
• Identifying community needs
• Proposal development
• Project planning and implementation
• Reflection and evaluation
• Presentation of outcomes and impact
• Support student leadership teams through project execution and collaboration.
• Build partnerships with local organizations, parishes, nonprofits, and businesses to expand service opportunities and community engagement.

Leadership Portfolio & Student Growth

• Implement and oversee the Institute’s Leadership Portfolio system.
• Ensure students document and reflect upon growth in:
• Leadership experiences
• Faith formation
• Service and community impact
• Communication and professionalism
• Career readiness skills
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and constructive feedback to students throughout their leadership journey.
• Track student participation, growth, achievement, and Institute outcomes.

Career Readiness & Experiential Learning

• Coordinate career-focused experiences including:
• Resume and cover letter workshops
• Mock interviews
• Career Day programming
• Networking events
• Alumni mentorship opportunities
• Develop partnerships with alumni, colleges, businesses, and community leaders to provide real-world insight and leadership exposure.
• Assist in the development of internship, mentorship, and capstone experiences for upperclassmen.

Student Engagement & Mentorship

• Serve as a mentor, role model, and advocate for students participating in the Institute.
• Encourage students to pursue leadership opportunities throughout school life including athletics, clubs, student government, campus ministry, and service organizations.
• Foster a culture of initiative, accountability, collaboration, and servant leadership.
• Build meaningful relationships with students and families to support student growth and engagement.

Administrative & Program Management

• Manage scheduling, logistics, communication, and coordination for all Leadership Institute activities and programming.
• Maintain records related to student participation, assessments, projects, and program outcomes.
• Assist in marketing and promoting the Leadership Institute to prospective students and families.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management, Advancement, Marketing, and Administration to support the visibility and long-term success of the Institute.
• Assist in grant opportunities, donor stewardship, and external partnership development related to the Institute.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Education, Leadership, Counseling, Theology, Business, or related field.
• Experience in Catholic education, youth ministry, leadership development, student programming, coaching, or mentorship preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and program design.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with high school students and fostering student engagement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, families, alumni, and community partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and related technology platforms used for communication, organization, presentations, data tracking, and program management.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment to the mission and values of Catholic education.
• Servant-leader mindset with a passion for student formation and leadership development.
• Relationship-builder who connects naturally with students, faculty, and families.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Innovative thinker willing to build and grow a signature leadership program.
• Positive, energetic, and mission-oriented presence within the school community.
• Practicing Catholic preferred; must fully support the Catholic identity and mission of Archbishop Wood High School.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000 annually
• Competitive benefits package consistent with Archdiocesan policies and employment guidelines.
• Opportunity to help build and lead one of the region’s premier Catholic high school leadership development programs.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• References

To:

John Iannarelli
President
Archbishop Wood High School
[email protected]

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026

Interviews will be given to the most qualified applicants.

PA required clearances and official transcripts will be required before employment can begin.

As a religious organization, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is also bound by Canon Law and Catholic teachings. For this reason, there may be occasions when an employee’s failure to adhere to the truths of the Catholic faith are a factor in employment-related decisions. In the event an employee fails to adhere to, or takes a position publicly that is contrary to, Catholic doctrine and teachings, or any policy or procedure maintained by the Archdiocese, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Employment practices will not be influenced by an individual’s legally protected status or any other basis as may be required by local, state and/or federal law as those laws apply to the Archdiocese.

Any employee with questions or concerns about any type of discrimination in the workplace is encouraged to bring these issues to the attention of Human Resources. Employees can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal. Anyone found to be engaging in any type of unlawful discrimination will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Office of Catholic Education at 215-587-3700.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in Education, Leadership, Counseling, Theology, Business, or related field.
• Experience in Catholic education, youth ministry, leadership development, student programming, coaching, or mentorship preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and program design.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with high school students and fostering student engagement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, families, alumni, and community partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and related technology platforms used for communication, organization, presentations, data tracking, and program management.