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 is recognized as one of Canada’s leading independent day schools, accommodating 1,260 students across two campuses: Wentworth (Junior School, JK–7) and Morven (Senior School, Grades 8–12). The educational framework at Collingwood prioritizes a personalized, real-world approach that lays strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. We promote curiosity and independence, inspiring students to apply their knowledge in practical settings. Our diverse co-curricular activities in Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Service empower students to discover their interests and unique purpose. Graduates from Collingwood are highly sought after by top universities and carry with them a lasting sense of pride and belonging. The institution benefits from financial stability, engaged governance, and a strategic vision reinforced 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 frontrunner in independent education in Canada.

The Board of Governors is seeking an exceptional and community-focused leader to succeed Lisa Evans, who will retire as Head of School in the summer of 2026 after 32 years of devoted service, including 17 years as Head of Morven Campus and 8 years as Head of School. This presents a unique and rewarding opportunity for a distinguished educational leader to help shape the future of Collingwood. The next Head of School is expected to start in July 2027 and will honor Collingwood’s traditions while championing 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 work alongside a dedicated community to craft a shared vision for the next chapter of Collingwood.

The ideal candidate will be a distinguished and inspiring educational leader with a strategic vision, a deep understanding of independent schools, and a proven history of steering complex organizations through significant growth and transformation. They will exhibit excellence in pedagogy and learning, possess strong governance and financial acumen, and have experience in fundraising as well as managing long-term capital projects. Authentic and courageous, they will build trust and unity across diverse communities while leading with empathy, diplomacy, and integrity. Committed to student wellbeing, faculty development, and the foundational 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 will be responsible for advancing Collingwood’s strategic direction, overseeing its academic and operational performance, and fostering a high-performing, inclusive, values-driven culture. This multifaceted and fulfilling leadership role includes several key responsibilities:

Vision and Strategic Leadership
- Formulate and communicate a clear, coherent, and forward-thinking educational vision.
- Spearhead the development and execution of a new strategic plan.
- Direct comprehensive initiatives that effectively enable future-focused change within the school.
- Ensure strong alignment between governance and school leadership by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability channels to propel the school forward.
- Provide decisive and transparent leadership that harmonizes collaboration with timely execution and measurable results.

Education and Innovation
- Build on the strengths of Collingwood’s four pillars – academics, athletics, arts, and service – while ensuring that wellbeing and inclusion are central to student life.
- Advocate for excellence in teaching and learning while encouraging faculty innovation and professional development.
- Balance tradition with innovation, leading the continuous integration of technology (including AI) and experiential learning to sustain educational relevance and excellence.
- Ensure Collingwood stays at the forefront of emerging pedagogical developments and educational trends.

Community and Culture
- Serve as a visible, accessible, and approachable leader who exemplifies and promotes a collegial school community.
- Foster a culture of belonging and teamwork rooted in accountability and shared purpose.
- Encourage collaboration and unity across campuses, departments, and stakeholder groups.
- Support faculty recruitment and retention while cultivating a culture of care, recognition, and professional growth.
- Engage openly with parents and alumni, balancing responsiveness with principled leadership during periods of change or tension.

Management, Finance, and Governance
- Work 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.
- Collaborate with the Board and the Chief Financial Officer to ensure sound financial and resource management.
- Ensure robust succession planning is established for all key positions.
- Maintain effective risk management, compliance, and operational systems across both campuses.

Fundraising and Capital Development
- Lead the development 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 planning and execution of the Wentworth Campus master plan.
- Position philanthropy as a collective responsibility within the community, rooted in gratitude, legacy, and impact.

External Engagement
- Act as an ambassador for the school on local, national, and international stages, enhancing its profile and partnerships.
- Build positive relationships with provincial and municipal government stakeholders and leading independent school associations both in Canada and internationally.
- Articulate the school’s vision, achievements, and values through engaging storytelling and authentic interaction.

Skills Requirements:
The next Head of School at Collingwood will be an inspiring leader devoted to nurturing and enhancing the strengths of our exceptional school community. They will be an experienced, passionate educator who values Collingwood’s history and traditions while being enthusiastic about the many opportunities ahead. The Search Committee recognizes that no single candidate is likely to possess all the following experiences and qualifications equally. However, a combination 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 demonstrated senior leadership experience, preferably as a Head or senior executive in an independent school, with a proven ability to guide complex organizations through change and effectively communicate an educational vision while aligning people, programs, and structures to achieve it.
- Proven success in leading, inspiring, motivating, and developing high-performing teams, with a commitment to professional development for faculty and staff as well as student wellbeing.
- Accomplished educator with academic credentials, 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 achieve organizational objectives.
- Knowledge and demonstrated experience in financial resource management, including fundraising, philanthropy, fiscal oversight, and sustainable facilities planning.
- Strong community and team-building abilities, including the capacity to unite diverse groups, promote cohesion, and cultivate a positive organizational culture.
- A collaborative approach to decision-making and strategic development, with the ability to engage the Collingwood community meaningfully.
- A global perspective on education, with an understanding of diverse education systems, pedagogical trends, technology, and the opportunities and challenges facing Collingwood in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
- The adaptability to quickly understand and adjust 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 unites stakeholders.
- Courageous and diplomatic, able to navigate complex parent, community, and cultural dynamics with tact and integrity.
- Resilient, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent, maintaining focus on long-term objectives while leading through transitions.
- 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 for this position ranges from $326,000 to $415,000, depending 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.