Job Description
Title: Principal
Supervisor: President
FLSA: Exempt
Hours: Monday through Friday, with evening and weekend work as needed.
Required Application Materials: Resume and Cover Letter
About Incarnate Word Academy
Located in Downtown Houston, Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) is a Catholic, all-girls, college preparatory school rooted in the mission of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. IWA is dedicated to forming young women of faith, intellect, leadership, and service through Gospel values and academic excellence, highlighting its pillars of Academics, Values, and Spirituality.
Position Overview
The Principal serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of Incarnate Word Academy. This role provides mission-centered leadership that advances academic excellence, faith formation, student well-being, and continuous, data-informed improvement. The Principal collaborates closely with the president, faculty, staff, and families to honor IWA’s legacy while advancing innovation and college readiness.
Essential Responsibilities
Leadership & Vision
- Commit to advancing the Catholic identity and mission and philosophy of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament
- Promote the value and philosophy of an all-girls educational experience.
- Cultivate a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, and high expectations
- Partner with the president of the Academy to establish and implement strategic academic priorities
- Serve as a visible and engaged ambassador to IWA constituents and the broader educational community
Academic & Instructional Leadership
- Oversee curriculum, instruction, and assessment to ensure rigorous and relevant learning
- Use academic data to monitor student achievement and guide instructional decisions
- Support faculty professional growth and effective instructional practices
- Collaborate with counseling staff to promote college readiness and student success
- Provide ongoing professional development of employees reporting to the principal
- Oversee the implementation of required annual reporting (CSO, Federal Funding, etc.).
Data-Driven Decision Making
- Analyze academic and institutional data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement
- Use data to inform school priorities, resource allocation, and professional development
Culture & Community
- Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for students and staff
- Promote student leadership, voice, service, and engagement
- Maintain clear, proactive communication with all stakeholders
Operations & Administration
- Ensure effective school operations, safety protocols, accreditation, and diocesan compliance
- Participate in the hiring, evaluation, and retention of faculty and staff
- Partner with the Business Office on fiscal oversight and long-term sustainability
- Prepare reports for governance bodies, accreditation agencies, and community audiences
Equity & Inclusion
- Promote equitable access to academic opportunities and student supports
- Ensure that policies, practices, and school culture reflect respect, belonging, and inclusion
Core Competencies
- Mission-driven, visionary leadership
- Strategic planning and organizational management
- Instructional leadership and curriculum oversight
- Collaborative and transparent communication
- Ethical leadership and accountability
- Community engagement and relationship building
Qualifications & Requirements
- Practicing Catholic with a demonstrated commitment to Catholic education
- Master’s degree in Education with 18 graduate credit hours in educational administration and supervision, or valid state principal certification
- Leadership experience, preferably in Catholic or independent school settings
- Strong instructional leadership and data-informed decision-making skills
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities
- Commitment to all-girls education and the mission of Incarnate Word Academy
- Familiarity with accreditation standards (Cognia, TAPPS, or TCCB ED) preferred