Head of School

Job Description

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Compensation: Salary and benefits information available upon request

Key Objective:

First Baptist Academy is a ministry of First Baptist Covington that seeks to provide a Christ-centered, biblically directed education that challenges students to know the Lord Jesus Christ and to develop the vision and practice of excellence in academics, character, leadership, and service to others.

The Head of School serves as the chief academic, administrative, and spiritual leader of FBA. This role is responsible for stewarding the school’s mission, strengthening academic quality, cultivating a distinctly Christian culture, and fostering a healthy partnership between the church, the school, and families.

Reporting & Governance:

• As an employee of First Baptist Covington, the Head of School works under the general supervision of the Senior Pastor and reports to the FBA Ministry Committee. The FBA Ministry Committee serves under the oversight of the Elders.

• The Head of School executes church-adopted policies and provides regular reporting, strategic recommendations, and leadership counsel.

• The Head of School oversees faculty and staff hiring, supervision, evaluation, and (when necessary) termination with clarity, documentation, and biblical integrity.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

1. Spiritual & Cultural Leadership

• Champion and model the school’s mission and statement of beliefs.

• Cultivate a faculty culture marked by prayerfulness, maturity, professionalism, and Christlike conduct.

• Establish clear expectations for conduct, communication, and public witness that protect the integrity of the church and school.

• Address cultural misalignment directly, graciously, and consistently.

2. Faculty Leadership & Accountability

• Recruit, onboard, develop, and retain faculty who align with the school’s mission and theological commitments.

• Implement a clear and consistent evaluation system including classroom observation, instructional coaching, and alignment with the school culture.

• Establish documented processes for addressing doctrinal concerns, professionalism issues, or conduct violations.

• Lead difficult conversations with clarity, pastoral wisdom, and decisiveness when needed.

3. Academic Leadership

• Oversee curriculum coherence, instructional quality, and student support services.

• Lead professional development aligned with instructional excellence and Christian formation.

• Use assessment data appropriately to strengthen teaching and learning.

• Ensure student discipline and support systems reflect biblical principles and educational best practices.

4. Church Partnership & Communication

• Strengthen the relationship between First Baptist Church and FBA through predictable communication and shared vision.

• Reinforce that FBA is a ministry of the church, not merely a tenant on church property.

• Provide clear, proactive communication to parents, staff, and church leadership.

5. Operational Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day operations including staffing, scheduling, safety, facilities use, and policy compliance.

• Ensure shared-space expectations are honored and enforced consistently.

• Partner with governance on budgeting, staffing models, tuition strategy, and long-term sustainability.

• Maintain organized documentation, handbooks, contracts, and personnel records.

• Working with the FBA Ministry Committee, develop and implement meaningful marketing, communications, and community engagement.

6. Strategic Leadership in a Season of Renewal

• Lead a focused improvement plan addressing school culture, theological and church alignment, staffing, communication, and systems.

• Set clear milestones and provide regular progress reports to governance.

• Balance careful listening with decisive leadership.

Qualifications:

The Head of School should be a faithful Christian and member of First Baptist Covington that displays a clear aspiration to serve in ministry. This person should display Christian characteristics like the qualifications of a deacon found in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, as well as demonstrate the ability to minister the Word of God to others in appropriate contexts as qualified by Scripture. In addition to these qualifications, the Head of School must display the following characteristics:

Spiritual & Character Qualifications

• Clear profession of faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of spiritual maturity.

• A willingness to become a member of First Baptist Covington, if not already.

• Wholehearted agreement with the school’s statement of beliefs.

• Demonstrated ability to lead with conviction, humility, steadiness, and biblical peacemaking.

Professional Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred in Education, Leadership, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Leadership experience in a church or school setting; Christian school leadership strongly preferred.

• Proven competence in faculty development, instructional leadership, organizational systems, parent communication, and strategic planning.

Core Competencies

• Theological clarity and discernment

• Culture-shaping leadership

• Change management

• Systems thinking and operational discipline

• Clear, calm, proactive communication