Our Faith. Our Students. Our Future
With 52 schools, over 24,000 students and more than 4,000 employees, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) is an education community bound together by our beliefs. Our facilities are located in some of the most beautiful natural settings in the province. Our Board encompasses a large and dynamic mixture of urban centers, small towns and rural areas throughout Central Ontario. We offer excellent programs, resources and supports so that students are provided with every opportunity to reach their future goals and aspirations. Our school district is still the home of many First Nations, Métis and Inuit people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work together as part of a new relationship on this territory.
Director of Education & Secretary – Treasurer of the Board
A Builder, an Innovator, an Evolutionary Change Agent and a Passionate Advocate of SMCDSB Values.
Based in our Catholic Education Centre in Barrie, Ontario and reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, the successful candidate will be a visible and visionary Catholic leader with proven experience in leading Catholic education programs and school communities. The position is responsible for providing faith-filled leadership at a system-wide level with responsibilities for establishing and achieving strategic and operational priorities, while acting as a champion for the Board’s vision, mission and values. Within a collaborative leadership model, in partnership with the Board of Trustees and the Educational Leadership Council, the successful candidate will lead the development of a long-term strategic plan through a comprehensive consultation process, and the development of a yearly operational plan to achieve the goals of the strategic plan. The strategic and yearly operational plans will embrace a learning agenda focused on student achievement & well-being, inclusion and student engagement.
Poised to navigate effectively through a post COVID-19 reality requires leadership agility, emotional intelligence, business acumen. political acuity, change management expertise, and demonstrated leadership experience in all aspects of K-12 educational administration including executive-level exposure to budgetary, legal compliance, risk mitigation and organizational governance issues. The successful candidate will, in an open, collaborative and professional relationship with Trustees, represent the Board throughout local church and school communities. and maintain positive working relationships with a large network of colleagues within the Ontario Ministry of Education and throughout the education sector. The role will proactively and positively respond to and resolve highly sensitive issues on behalf of the Board using constructive conflict resolution skills.
The successful candidate, as a strong leader, will foster positive employee and labor relations across SMCDSB, while developing the capabilities and God-given talents of each person. The position role-models effective team behaviors, demonstrates personal excellence and meets or exceeds commitments to internal and external customers. The role will champion training plans and career development opportunities for staff, while fostering their commitment to the mission, vision and values of the Board by creating an innovative learning environment through coaching, development, motivation and monitoring of employee performance.
With demonstrated ability to manage and ensure financial well-being, you will inspire your leadership team to manage and meet their budgetary targets consistent with their yearly operational plans aligned with the long-term strategic plan.
The Supervisory Officer’s Qualification, or the Business Supervisory Officer’s Qualification, or another relevant Master’s degree is desired. Preference may be given to applicants with an Ontario Supervisory Officer Qualification in addition to a valid Ontario College of Teachers Certificate of Registration. A current exemplary pastoral letter of reference from a Catholic priest is required.
The position requires expertise in working constructively with Trustees, parents, child advocates, parish representatives, government officials and fellow leaders throughout the Ontario education sector. The role requires a high level of sensitivity and respect for the history, strengths and diversity within the Board.
The successful candidate will have: ①proven experience in leading large teams through evolutionary change, providing ongoing supervision and support to staff using participatory and collaborative principles; ② superior interpersonal skills exhibiting confidentiality, diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution and issue-based problem-solving techniques; ③ strong budgetary and financial accountability skills; ④ excellent communication, presentation and computer skills; and ⑤ a valid driver’s license, with access to vehicle and/or the ability to travel across the school district and the province to represent SMCDSB at multiple functions within schools and throughout the Ontario education sector.
Interested candidates must forward in confidence, a cover letter and resume to Bluenose & Company at doesmcdsb@bluenoseandcompany.com, specifying the job title in the subject line of the e-mail. Application deadline is May 15, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process upon request. Accommodation queries should be directed to mia@bluenoseandcompany.com.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at the SMCDSB.
As a condition of employment, new employees to SMCDSB are required, by legislation, to submit a satisfactory Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check.
THE BOARD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Contact: Mia Kinley mia@blueoseandcompany.com 416-700-9116