Company Operating Name: Collingwood School

Business Address: 70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7S 1B2

Title of the Position: Head of School

Executive Summary:

Collingwood is one of Canada’s largest independent day schools, enrolling 1,260 students across two campuses: Wentworth (Junior School, JK–7) and Morven (Senior School, Grades 8–12). A Collingwood education provides a personalized, real-world approach to education, building strong academic foundations in literacy and numeracy. We foster curiosity and independence, challenging students to apply skills beyond knowledge. Our diverse co-curricular program in Academics, Arts, Athletics, and Service allows students to explore their passions and discover their unique purpose in the world. Collingwood graduates are sought after by top universities and carry forward a lifelong sense of belonging and pride.

The school enjoys financial health, engaged governance, and a clear strategic outlook supported by philanthropy and robust reserves. It continues to innovate in areas such as AI integration, experiential and outdoor education informed by Indigenous partnerships, and a unique 2-5-1 trimester model at the senior school positioning Collingwood at the forefront of independent schooling in Canada.

The Board of Governors now seeks an exceptional and community-minded leader to succeed Lisa Evans, who will step down as Head of School in summer 2026 after 32 years of dedicated service, including 17 years as Head of Morven Campus and 8 as Head of School.

This is a rare and rewarding opportunity for an accomplished educational leader to shape the future of Collingwood. The next Head of School is expected to start in July 2027 at the latest, and will steward Collingwood’s traditions while advancing a forward-looking agenda that engages its present and inspires its future. Building on a legacy of academic excellence, innovation, student wellbeing, and holistic education, the Head of School will join passionate community and together build a shared vision for Collingwood’s next chapter.

The ideal candidate will be an accomplished and inspiring educational leader with strategic vision, a deep understanding of independent schools, and proven experience guiding complex organizations through growth and change. They will bring excellence in teaching and learning, strong governance and financial acumen, and experience in fundraising and long-term capital projects. Authentic and courageous, they will build trust and cohesion across diverse communities while leading with empathy, diplomacy, and integrity. Committed to student wellbeing, faculty development, and Collingwood’s values, the next Head will lead with clarity, collaboration, and purpose.

Job Duties:

The Head of School reports to the Board of Governors and is responsible for advancing Collingwood’s strategic direction, leading its academic and operational performance, and championing a high-performing, inclusive, and values-led culture.

This is a complex, multi-faceted and incredibly rewarding leadership position. The key responsibilities for our next Head of School are outlined below:

Vision and Strategic Leadership

1. Articulate and advance a clear, coherent, and future-focused educational vision.
2. Lead the development and execution of a new strategic plan. Guide comprehensive plans to help the School effectively enact future focused change.
3. Maintain strong alignment between governance and school leadership, ensuring roles, responsibilities, and channels of accountability continue to move the School forward.
4. Provide decisive and transparent leadership that balances collaboration with timely follow-through and measurable progress. 

Education and Innovation

1. Build upon the strengths of Collingwood’s four strands – academics, athletics, arts and service – and ensure that wellbeing and inclusion remain central to student life.
2. Champion excellence in teaching and learning while supporting faculty innovation and professional growth.
3. Balance tradition and innovation, lead the ongoing integration of technology (including AI), and experiential learning, ensuring educational relevance and excellence.
4. Ensure Collingwood remains at the cutting edge of the latest pedagogical developments and emerging trends in education.

Community and Culture

1. To be a visible, accessible, and approachable leader who leads by example and champions a collegial school community.
2. Foster a culture of belonging and collegiality grounded in accountability and shared purpose.
3. Create cohesion and collaboration across campuses, departments, and stakeholder groups.
4. Support faculty attraction and retention and fostering a culture of care, recognition, and professional opportunity.
5. Engage openly with parents and alumni, balancing responsiveness with principled leadership in moments of tension or change.

Management, Finance and Governance

1. Partner closely with the Board of Governors to ensure strong governance practices and effective communication.
2. Provide clear, inspiring leadership to the Senior Leadership Team, empowering each individual and further developing both collaboration and high-performance.
3. Work in partnership with the Board and the Chief Financial Officer to ensure effective financial and resource management.
4. Ensure robust succession planning is in place across all key positions.
5. Maintain robust risk management, compliance, and operational systems across both campuses.

Fundraising and Capital Development

1. Lead the development of a compelling philanthropic narrative that supports the school’s strategic priorities and campus growth.
2. Inspire confidence among donors, alumni, and families through visible leadership in fundraising and stewardship.
3. Partner with the Advancement Team and the Board to drive major gifts and capital campaigns, particularly the Wentworth Campus redevelopment.
4. Lead the development and execution of the Wentworth Campus master plan.
5. Position philanthropy as a shared community responsibility rooted in gratitude, legacy, and impact.

External Engagement

1. Serve as an ambassador for the school locally, nationally, and internationally, enhancing its profile and partnerships.
2. Build positive relationships with provincial and municipal government stakeholders, and leading independent school associations in Canada and internationally.
3. Communicate the school’s vision, achievements, and values through compelling storytelling and authentic engagement.

Skills Requirements:

Collingwood’s next Head of School will be an inspiring leader, focused on nurturing and building upon the strengths of our excellent school community. They will be an experienced and passionate educator appreciative of Collingwood’s history and traditions and excited by the many opportunities ahead.

The Search Committee recognizes that no individual is likely to possess all the following experience and qualifications in equal measure. However, a blend of the following experience, skills, knowledge, and personal attributes will be important.

Experience, Skills and Knowledge

1. Bachelor's degree.
2. At least 5 years of proven senior leadership experience, ideally as Head or senior executive in an independent school, with a record of guiding complex organizations through change and an ability to articulate a clear educational vision and align people, programs, and structures to achieve it.
3. Demonstrated success in leading, inspiring, motivating, and developing high-performing teams, with a commitment to faculty and staff professional growth and student wellbeing.
4. Accomplished educator with academic credentials, a deep understanding of pedagogy, curriculum design, innovation, and school operations. to ensure educational and operational excellence.
5. Experience partnering effectively with boards, governance bodies, and senior leadership teams to achieve organizational goals.
6. Financial and resource management, including knowledge and demonstrable experience in fundraising, philanthropy, fiscal oversight, and sustainable facilities planning.
7. Community and team-building including an ability to unite diverse groups, foster cohesion, and cultivate a strong, positive organizational culture.
8. A collaborative approach to decision-making and strategic development with the skills to meaningfully engage the Collingwood community.
9. A global perspective on education (for example, an understanding of different education systems, perspectives, trends in pedagogy, technology, etc) and the opportunities and challenges for Collingwood in a rapidly changing global sector.
10. The flexibility to rapidly understand and assimilate to the school, and if coming from outside of Canada, to the wider Canadian and British Columbian contexts.

Personal Attributes

1. Inspirational and relational leader with empathy, authenticity, and a collaborative approach that nurtures community and unifies stakeholders.
2. Courageous and diplomatic, able to navigate complex parent, community, and cultural dynamics with tact and integrity.
3. Resilient, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent, maintaining focus on long-term goals while leading through change.
4. Respect for the community-oriented culture and traditions of Collingwood, balanced with an innovative outlook.
5. Excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, resilience and authenticity. Championing trust-building, collaboration, and a positive and inclusive school culture.

Terms of Employment: Full Time (52 weeks), Permanent. Require legal authorization to work in Canada.

Language of Work: English

Wage: $326,000-$415,000, based on experience

Vacation: 6 weeks plus 1 week over winter break

Benefits: 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, housing in a school-owned property for a fixed time period (until a future campus plan is enacted), relocation support, annual cost of living increases, annual medical examinations, and tuition discount for school aged children.

Location of Work: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Contact Information: For further information about the role please contact Benjamin Crase on Benjamin.Crase@perrettlaver.com (+1 604 340 7008). Applications can be submitted here: https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/.