Head of School

Company Operating Name: Collingwood School
Business Address: 70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7S 1B2
Title of the Position: Head of School
Expected Start Date: July 2027

Executive Summary:
Collingwood stands as one of Canada’s premier independent day schools, serving 1,260 students across its two campuses: Wentworth (Junior School, JK–7) and Morven (Senior School, Grades 8–12). The educational experience at Collingwood emphasizes a personalized, real-world approach, fostering strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. We encourage curiosity and independence, motivating students to apply their skills beyond mere knowledge. Our diverse co-curricular offerings in Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Service empower students to explore their interests and identify their unique purpose. Graduates of Collingwood are highly sought after by leading universities and carry forward a lasting sense of belonging and pride. The school benefits from financial stability, engaged governance, and a clear strategic vision supported by philanthropy and substantial reserves. Continuous innovation in areas such as AI integration, experiential and outdoor education through Indigenous partnerships, and a distinctive 2-5-1 trimester model at the senior school positions Collingwood as a leader in independent education in Canada.

The Board of Governors is now seeking an extraordinary and community-oriented leader to succeed Lisa Evans, who will retire as Head of School in the summer of 2026 after 32 years of dedicated service, including 17 years as Head of Morven Campus and 8 years as Head of School. This presents a unique and fulfilling opportunity for a distinguished educational leader to help shape the future of Collingwood. The next Head of School is anticipated to begin in July 2027 and will uphold Collingwood’s traditions while pushing forward an inspiring agenda that engages the present and envisions the future. Building on a legacy of academic excellence, innovation, student wellbeing, and holistic education, the Head of School will collaborate with a dedicated community to create a shared vision for the next chapter of Collingwood.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished and inspiring educational leader possessing a strategic vision, a profound understanding of independent schools, and a proven track record in steering complex organizations through periods of growth and transformation. They will demonstrate excellence in pedagogy and learning, strong governance and financial expertise, along with experience in fundraising and managing long-term capital projects. Authentic and courageous, they will foster trust and unity across diverse communities while leading with empathy, diplomacy, and integrity. Committed to student wellbeing, faculty development, and the core values of Collingwood, the next Head will lead with clarity, collaboration, and purpose.

Job Duties:
The Head of School will report to the Board of Governors and is entrusted with advancing Collingwood’s strategic direction, overseeing its academic and operational performance, and promoting a high-performing, inclusive, values-driven culture. This multifaceted and rewarding leadership role encompasses several key responsibilities:

Vision and Strategic Leadership
- Develop and articulate a clear, coherent, and forward-looking educational vision.
- Lead the creation and implementation of a new strategic plan.
- Guide comprehensive initiatives that effectively facilitate future-focused change within the school.
- Ensure strong alignment between governance and school leadership, defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability channels to continue propelling the school forward.
- Provide decisive and transparent leadership that balances collaboration with timely implementation and measurable outcomes.

Education and Innovation
- Build upon the strengths of Collingwood’s four pillars – academics, athletics, arts, and service – while ensuring that wellbeing and inclusion remain central to student life.
- Champion excellence in teaching and learning while fostering faculty innovation and professional development.
- Balance tradition with innovation, leading the ongoing integration of technology (including AI) and experiential learning to maintain educational relevance and excellence.
- Ensure Collingwood remains at the forefront of emerging pedagogical developments and trends in education.

Community and Culture
- Act as a visible, accessible, and approachable leader who sets an example and promotes a collegial school community.
- Cultivate a culture of belonging and teamwork anchored in accountability and shared purpose.
- Foster collaboration and unity across campuses, departments, and stakeholder groups.
- Support faculty recruitment and retention, while nurturing a culture of care, recognition, and professional growth.
- Engage openly with parents and alumni, maintaining a balance between responsiveness and principled leadership during times of change or tension.

Management, Finance, and Governance
- Collaborate closely with the Board of Governors to ensure effective governance practices and communication.
- Provide clear and inspiring leadership to the Senior Leadership Team, empowering each member and fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
- Partner with the Board and the Chief Financial Officer to ensure sound financial and resource management.
- Ensure robust succession planning is established across all key positions.
- Maintain effective risk management, compliance, and operational systems across both campuses.

Fundraising and Capital Development
- Lead the crafting of a compelling philanthropic narrative that aligns with the school’s strategic priorities and campus development.
- Inspire confidence among donors, alumni, and families through proactive leadership in fundraising and stewardship.
- Collaborate with the Advancement Team and the Board to drive major gifts and capital campaigns, particularly for the Wentworth Campus redevelopment.
- Oversee the development and execution of the Wentworth Campus master plan.
- Position philanthropy as a shared responsibility within the community, rooted in gratitude, legacy, and impact.

External Engagement
- Serve as an ambassador for the school at local, national, and international levels, enhancing its profile and partnerships.
- Cultivate positive relationships with provincial and municipal government stakeholders and leading independent school associations both in Canada and abroad.
- Communicate the school’s vision, accomplishments, and values through compelling storytelling and genuine engagement.

Skills Requirements:
The next Head of School at Collingwood will be an inspiring leader dedicated to nurturing and enhancing the strengths of our outstanding school community. They will be an experienced, passionate educator who appreciates Collingwood’s history and traditions while being excited about the many opportunities that lie ahead. The Search Committee understands that no individual will likely possess all the following experiences and qualifications equally. However, a blend of the following experiences, skills, knowledge, and personal attributes will be essential.

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge
- A Bachelor’s degree.
- A minimum of 5 years of proven senior leadership experience, ideally as a Head or senior executive in an independent school, with a record of effectively guiding complex organizations through change and the ability to clearly articulate an educational vision while aligning people, programs, and structures to achieve it.
- Demonstrated success in leading, inspiring, motivating, and developing high-performing teams, with a commitment to faculty and staff professional development and student wellbeing.
- Accomplished educator with academic qualifications, a deep understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design, innovation, and school operations to ensure educational and operational excellence.
- Experience in effective collaboration with boards, governance bodies, and senior leadership teams to meet organizational objectives.
- Knowledge and demonstrable experience in financial resource management, including fundraising, philanthropy, fiscal oversight, and sustainable facilities planning.
- Strong community and team-building skills, including the ability to unite diverse groups, foster cohesion, and cultivate a positive organizational culture.
- A collaborative approach to decision making and strategic development, with the capacity to meaningfully engage the Collingwood community.
- A global perspective on education, understanding diverse education systems, trends in pedagogy, technology, and the opportunities and challenges facing Collingwood in a rapidly changing global landscape.
- The flexibility to quickly understand and adapt to the school environment, and if coming from outside Canada, to the broader Canadian and British Columbian contexts.

Personal Attributes
- An inspirational and relational leader characterized by empathy, authenticity, and a collaborative approach that fosters community and unifies stakeholders.
- Courageous and diplomatic, capable of navigating complex parent, community, and cultural dynamics with tact and integrity.
- Resilient, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent, maintaining focus on long-term goals while leading through change.
- Respectful of Collingwood’s community-oriented culture and traditions, balanced with a forward-thinking mindset.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and authenticity.
- A champion of trust-building, collaboration, and a positive and inclusive school culture.

Terms of Employment:
Full Time (52 weeks). Permanent. Legal requirement to work in Canada.
Language of Work: English
Location of Work: West Vancouver, Canada

Compensation:
The salary range for this position is $326,000-$415,000, based on experience. The Head of School will receive Extended Health, Dental, Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Health Spending Account, Employee Assistance Program, Employer-contributed Retirement Savings Plan, temporary housing in a school-owned property for a fixed period (until a future campus plan is enacted), and additional benefits.