Head of School: Magnolia Christian School

General Information

Job Title:

Head of School: Magnolia Christian School

Job Description:

Reports To: Board of Directors

Supervises: Assistant Principal, Academic Director, Admissions Team, Administrative Staff (shared and direct), Faculty & Staff

Status: Full-time

Work Year: 12 months

Work Location: Hybrid (on-campus 2+ days/week; potential for off-campus for strategic, operational, and fundraising work)

Purpose of the Role

The Head of School serves as the chief executive and operational leader for the school, combining the traditional principal responsibilities with business management oversight. This role ensures academic quality, operational and program management, strategic planning, fundraising, and student-life support across ECE–Grade 12.

The Head of School delegates execution to Assistant Principal, Academic Director, Admissions team, and Admin Assistants, but retains final decision-making authority and escalates to the Board of Directors as necessary.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Vision & Leadership

• Articulate and protect the school's mission, values, and identity
• Lead long-range strategic planning (1–5 year horizon)
• Identify risks, opportunities, and growth priorities
• Oversee expansion initiatives, building projects, and capital campaigns

1. Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as primary liaison to and ex officio member of the Board
• Prepare and present reports on enrollment, retention, staffing, finances, and major initiatives
• Draft, revise, and interpret school policies
• Ensure consistent and fair policy application

1. Personnel Leadership & HR Oversight

• Hire, evaluate, and terminate staff
• Approve faculty/staff interviews coordinated by Admin Assistants
• Oversee HR, contracts, and employee handbook compliance
• Handle escalated staff conflicts or concerns
• Supervise and evaluate admin team members
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and best practices

1. Parent, Church, & Community Relations

• Serve as final escalation for parent concerns
• Communicate school-wide expectations and decisions
• Maintain healthy boundaries and trust with families
• Represent the school publicly with churches, community partners, donors, and other stakeholders
• Oversee website messaging and public-facing communications to ensure alignment with mission and strategic direction
• Oversee Creation and scheduling of social media content based on leadership input
• Coordinate production of promotional material (print and digital media, including video if applicable)

1. Financial & Operational Oversight

• Manage tuition billing oversight and reporting
• Approve major expenditures and contracts

• Oversee payroll, accounting, and financial reporting
• Manage facilities, insurance, risk, and compliance
• Serve as escalation for operational issues including emergency response, campus security, and hurricane prep

1. Fundraising, Advancement & Building Projects

• Lead fundraising strategy, major donor relations, and capital campaigns
• Provide executive oversight for building projects and consultants/contractors
• Make final strategic and financial decisions related to school growth
• Serve as the primary relationship-builder with major donors
• Partner with the Board on capital campaigns and advancement strategy

1. Areas of Final Oversight (many often delegated completely or until final stage)

• FACTS course creation or unusual academic configurations
• Faculty/staff interviews and hiring
• Compliance and accreditation reporting
• Long-term sub shadowing or training days
• Emergency drills, hurricane prep, and campus security
• Senior and Kindergarten Graduation logistics

1. Event & Culture Oversight

• Oversee or approve high-stakes events as needed
• Provide vision and oversight for school traditions and major academic and cultural events
• Delegate planning and execution to appropriate leaders
• Model the school's values, tone, and culture
• Ensure a unified ECE–12 culture

1. Admissions & Enrollment (Final Decision Authority)

• Oversee prospective family interaction through inquiries and campus visits
• Conduct final admissions interviews
• Make final admissions decisions in collaboration with the admissions team
• Ensure that enrollment practices reflect mission fit and sustainability
• Support retention strategies and growth goals
• Maintain enrollment records in FACTS
• Understand and oversee/maintain billing processes
• Maintain accurate student and family records in FACTS

10. Biblical & Theological Oversight

• Guard and promote the school's Christian character and biblical and theological identity
• Ensure that curriculum, instruction, chapel, and student life remain consistent with the school's doctrinal commitments
• Provide vision and oversight of chapel services, including scheduling speakers, overseeing music, and speaking often at chapel
• Provide theological guidance to faculty and staff when questions arise regarding doctrine, worldview, or biblical interpretation while being sensitive to the diverse denominational environment at Magnolia
• Review curriculum, teaching materials, and chapel speakers for theological alignment when necessary
• Encourage spiritual formation among students, faculty, and staff through leadership, example, and oversight

Decision Authority

The Head of School has final authority over:

• Strategic direction and school vision, in conjunction with the Board of Directors
• Personnel decisions
• Admissions decisions
• Policy interpretation
• Major financial commitments, payroll, and tuition reporting
• Donor development and capital projects, in conjunction with the Board of Directors
• Major curriculum or academic program changes, in conjunction with the Board of Directors

Key Collaborations

• Assistant Principal: student life, discipline, operations support
• Academic Director: instructional quality, curriculum, teacher development
• Admissions team & Admin Assistants: enrollment, billing, and retention
• Board: governance, fundraising, capital projects

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree preferred
• Visionary leadership with strong relational intelligence
• Financial, operational, and managerial experience
• Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously and delegate/escalate as needed
• Donor development aptitude
• Strong decision-making under ambiguity
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Ability to lead in an environment with limited staff and shared responsibilities
• Experience building programs, systems, or organizations from early stages
• Willingness to handle both strategic leadership and practical, day-to-day tasks
• Ability to prioritize wisely in a fast-changing environment
• Track record of clear communication with key constituencies such as parents, staff, and board members
• Experience in mission-driven, nonprofit, or educational leadership; experience teaching, leading, or serving in church, ministry, or Christian school setting preferred
• Ability to affirm Magnolia Christian School's Statement of Faith
• Strong biblical and theological knowledge consistent with Magnolia's doctrinal commitments
• Ability to provide spiritual and theological leadership within a Christian educational environment and to navigate a varied denominational environment among parents, students, and teachers
• Ability to engage with the staff and students in an energetic, active, and fun way, positively contributing to the culture

Application Deadline

07/01/2026

Job Type:

Full Time

Salary Range:

$71k-$90k

General Information

Church/Organization Name

Magnolia Christian School

Contact Name & Contact Info

Industry

Education/Training

Denomination

Not Applicable

City, State

DeLand, FL

Description of Organization

Magnolia Christian School is a home education instructional program (hybrid model) that meets 2 days per week in DeLand, Florida. We partner with homeschooling families to provide a comprehensive education for students in preschool through 12th grade. Our on-campus days (Tuesday and Thursday) look very similar to a traditional 5-day program, with parent drop-off and pick-up and a traditional classroom setting. Parents homeschool their students by providing one-on-one follow-up support/instruction on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We also offer extra-curricular opportunities to our students like field trips, community/family events, on-campus dual enrollment courses, and some Upper School athletics.

Our mission statement: Magnolia Christian School seeks to glorify God and advance His kingdom by partnering with parents to cultivate academic integrity, spiritual maturity, and gospel-centered community.

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