Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Schools Week is seeking an Executive Director for the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), who will serve as the chief executive officer of this Christ-centered organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for the overall leadership and operational oversight for the accreditation of Catholic schools throughout the WCEA territory, ensuring that the accreditation process strengthens Catholic identity and promotes excellence.
Responsibilities
- Maintain the WCEA Administrative Office
- Implement the strategic vision and direction of WCEA, in collaboration with the Board of Directors and member dioceses
- Represent WCEA to key stakeholder groups, including Catholic bishops, superintendents, school leaders, and partner accrediting agencies
- Reports to the WCEA Board of Directors and supports effective governance practices
- Partners with the Board Chair to develop agendas and materials for board meetings, retreats, and committee work
- Supervise and collaborate with the Associate Director on all functions of WCEA
- Lead ongoing strategic development and implementation of SEOnline, WCEA’s web-based accreditation platform
- Ensure regular training, webinars, and technical support to schools and visiting committees
- Collaborate with the external development team and ensure platform integrity and improvement
- Manage budgeting, financial planning, investment, and organizational sustainability
- Coordinate with the outside accounting firm, payroll provider, and technology support company
- Gather and present interest from new dioceses seeking affiliation with WCEA to the board
- Guide the process of onboarding and integrating new members into WCEA structures and protocols
- Oversee the implementation and ongoing development of the WCEA Standards of Excellence accreditation protocol
- Ensure that school visits, mid-cycle reviews, and progress reports meet WCEA quality expectations
- Coordinate remote and in-person training and support in the accreditation process to Commissioners, school administrators, and visiting committees
- Guide, support, and collaborate with diocesan Commissioners across all WCEA regions to ensure high-quality implementation of the accreditation process
- Develop and execute the annual Commissioner Gathering, the May accreditation meetings, and other Commissioner meetings, in collaboration with the Associate Director
- Manage constituency relationships
Skills
- Practicing Catholic with a demonstrated commitment to the mission of Catholic education
- Written letter of recommendation, nihil obstat, from the arch(bishop) of the diocese in which the applicant resides, for this particular position
- Demonstrated leadership in Catholic education and a strong understanding of accreditation practices
- Proven capacity for strategic planning, relationship-building, and institutional development
- Excellent communication and public speaking skills
- Commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and servant leadership
- Strong technological competence with systems such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Filemaker, Zoom, and online platforms like SEOnline
- Master's degree in education, management, administration, or a related field required
- Fulfill Safe Environment requirements
- This position will require California residency
- Travel is expected for in-person trainings, conferences, accreditation visits and board or Commissioner meetings
- Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree preferred
Benefits
- This is a fully remote position.
- Candidates must have access to a reliable internet connection and a home workspace suitable for professional communications and virtual meetings.
- Travel is expected for in-person trainings, conferences, accreditation visits and board or Commissioner meetings.
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