President

Our Client 

Guided by the Jesuit commitment to the service of faith and the promotion of justice, The Cristo Rey Network of high schools delivers a career-focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic tradition for students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college. Cristo Rey high schools partner with educators, businesses, and communities to enable students to fulfill their aspirations for a lifetime of success.

When Cristo Rey Jesuit High School opened under the leadership of John P. Foley, S.J. in 1996, it introduced a highly innovative integration of academic and professional experience to Catholic secondary education in the United States. The model had immediate appeal, first to Catholic educators across the country and soon after to prominent philanthropists committed to educational reform.

Through the talent and commitment of local communities and generous and enthusiastic support from philanthropic investors, the Cristo Rey Network has grown over the last 20 years from a single school in south Chicago to a national network of 37 schools. During a period when traditional Catholic schools were shuttering at an alarming rate, the Cristo Rey Network has grown into the largest network of high schools in the country that exclusively serves low-income students.

Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School (“CRSJ”) empowers students from underserved communities in San José to become men and women for others who are prepared spiritually, academically, and professionally to complete college and become accomplished leaders committed to a lifelong pursuit of learning, faith, and justice.

CRSJ is proud of the growth of the school, with a first class of 130 students when founded in 2013 to more than 460 students today. The Corporate Work Study Program engages more than 100 Bay Area companies and the campus includes two new buildings. The success of the CRSJ program is inspirational, with some 300+ alumni now attending colleges and universities around the country. The first graduating class continues to excel with 94% having completed their first year of college, and 84% of students in the second graduating class attending four-year universities now. The rate of college attendance to date is double the national average for students of color from disadvantaged backgrounds and 23 percent higher than students from higher-income communities.

The Role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President serves as the School’s chief executive officer, overseeing all aspects of leading and managing the institution. Under the President, is a strong leadership team where he/she is responsible for setting goals for, managing and holding accountable the Principal, Chancellor, VP of Advancement, Finance Director, HR & DEI Director, and the Executive Director of the Corporate Work Study Program. The President is the institutional spokesperson to all school constituents, including corporate partners, civic leaders, donors, community members, among others. The President is considered the chief fundraiser and responsible for the long-term financial sustainability of the school.

PRIORITIES

Underlying everything this leader does shall be an explicit belief that every student is extraordinary and capable of accomplishing extraordinary things in life.  The next President will be expected to focus on the following strategic opportunities and challenges:

Lead with unifying and equitable vision

The president will steward the Jesuit mission with a commitment to developing the whole person. It will be imperative that they nurture an inclusive culture shared among all constituencies and within the greater San Jose community. They will build consensus with stakeholders when making important decisions regarding the future direction of the School by reinforcing historic strengths and lifting up diverse voices. The president will inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, powerful charisma, passion in beliefs, and active drive.

Enhance financial sustainability

This leader will focus on strengthening the school’s overall financial health as the school’s primary fundraiser. They will engage with the Corporate Work Study Program board in oversight of the Corporate Work Study Program and the cultivation of corporate partners in delivering 50% of overall revenues. The President must steward individual and institutional donors and work closely with the development team in this effort. Additionally, this successful candidate will secure the financial future and sustainability of the School through the implementation of innovative revenue streams and by increasing contributions to the endowment.

Strengthen partnerships

In this role, he/she will embrace existing relationships and develop new connections in the San Jose community, promoting the School to an increasingly wider audience while advocating for the population the School serves. They will listen closely to key community partners and corporations to ensure ongoing support for CRSJ’s vision. It is important that the next president can anticipate the changing needs of students, families, and corporate partners and lead in imagining how the School can thoughtfully evolve its leadership position in educational excellence.

Cultivate a positive working environment for faculty and staff 

The next leader must actively foster a workplace where everyone is and feels welcomed, respected, and supported. They must manage in a complex environment that embraces a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, and intentionally enact fair policies, processes, and practices. They will operationalize DEI strategy into the school’s model and support faculty efforts to strengthen students’ character and moral development.

Candidate Profile 

Candidates are expected to hold strong credentials. In addition, noteworthy candidates would be expected to demonstrate excellence in the following:

• Belief in the community served by CRSJ’s mission and can successfully articulate the mission to different constituents and stakeholders
• Deep understanding and ability to thrive in the San Jose culture, climate, and community
• Experience and aptitude with the financial management of an institution of similar size and complexity to Cristo Rey
• Authentic connection with diverse populations, especially within Latinx communities
• Track record of hiring, developing, and retaining talented staff in a range of functions
• Strategic thinker, including the inclination to seek and analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the organization's overall strategy
• Motivational role model, mentor, and developer of faculty, staff, and students
• Highest integrity and strong moral compass with a reputation for honesty and transparency
• High emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills
• Spanish language fluency is a plus

Nomination and application process

Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to crsj@russellreynolds.com .

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY 

Cristo Rey San Jose is dedicated to both the letter and the spirit of the equal employment opportunity laws. Employment decisions will not be made on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age or sexual orientation, military or veteran status or political affiliation. Employment decisions based on religious preferences and other religious needs may be made in accordance with applicable law. Cristo Rey also prohibits discrimination on the basis of these protected classifications.

Contact

Trevor Hooper
Russell Reynolds Associates
101 California Street | Suite 4200
San Francisco, CA  94111-5867
Tel: +1-415-352-3300
Direct: +1-415-352-3381
trevor.hooper@russellreynolds.com