EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sophia Academy, an innovative all-girls middle school in Providence, Rhode Island, seeks a passionate, equity-minded, and experienced non-profit Executive Director with tenacious fundraising and financial stewardship skills. Sophia Academy engages girls from low income families on a joyful quest for self‐discovery and opportunity through an education grounded in social justice. This new leader will have the opportunity to develop and execute a strategic plan to keep the school thriving for decades to come.
The Executive Director of Sophia Academy develops and executes the school’s strategic priorities and advances its mission by growing fundraising and advancement opportunities; managing operations, including budgeting, financial reporting, and oversight of HR, IT and facilities; and supporting the board of directors. This key leader works closely with the principal to support the education team as they guide Sophia students on their academic journey.
The Executive Director leads the senior team and reports to the board of directors. The senior team includes the school principal, directors of advancement and operations, and financial and human resources consultants.
Major Responsibilities
Advancement:
Work with the board and senior team to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of the school, with an emphasis on being the chief fundraiser and external storyteller and champion, including but not limited to:
Network externally extensively, with ambitious creativity to tell Sophia’s compelling story far and wide to grow donor prospects
Set and execute advancement priorities in partnership with the advancement team
Attract new sources of revenue and support for strategic priorities
Continue to strengthen marketing strategy appeals, events, and external communications
Operations:
Develop annual budget, projecting revenues and expenses
Manage the financial reporting policies and procedures
Work closely with the financial consultant to ensure timely and accurate reporting, manage weekly cash flow, and understand cash-on-hand to ensure timely execution of payroll and other critical payments
Oversee operations such as HR, IT and the building
Build strong partnership with the board treasurer and work with the finance committee in support of their role as financial stewards
Board management:
Grow, foster, and support a strong board
Build a strong partnership with the board chair and collaborate to build board agendas and priorities
Attend and support execution of subcommittee work
Academic support:
Ensure the academic team is well-supported to oversee their day-to-day management of the school
Support the professional development of senior leaders, including following national trends and identifying best practices consistent with the school’s foundation
Work with senior team to recognize hardworking and dedicated faculty and staff
Support and reinforce a culture of parent, guardian and family involvement
Qualifications
The ideal Executive Director is a compassionate leader committed to being a visible champion for Sophia Academy and its values. The Executive Director should have a proven track record in operations, fiscal management and fundraising and a keen interest in promoting an all-girls middle school education.
We seek candidates with the following experience and skills:
Experience leading operations of an organization with a budget of at least $1.5M
Track record of successful fundraising, fiscal management and financial stewardship
Experience working with students from low-income families
Advanced degree in non-profit management, business, education or equivalent experience
Exemplary ability to share our story with new audiences, and excellent oral and written communication skills
We seek candidates with the following interests and abilities:
Passion for the mission and culture of Sophia Academy
Collegial, collaborative and welcoming management style
Commitment to the principles of equity, inclusion, social justice and belonging
Ability to develop new relationships and strengthen existing partnerships
Ability to work collaboratively with board, staff, families, students and the greater community
Ability to be a servant leader, tone setter, culturally fluent and emotionally generous
Compensation and benefits
Compensation includes the opportunity to be part of a mission-driven, passionate community and a salary of $130,000 - $150,000; health insurance; retirement plan; and 4 weeks of vacation.
How to apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter via this Google Form. Alternatively, if you are unable to use the form, please send your resume and cover letter via email to sophia.apps.2026@gmail.com.
In your cover letter, please reflect upon these two questions:
In what ways does the mission of Sophia Academy appeal to you and align with your personal and professional experience and goals?
How would you approach maintaining a focus on Sophia Academy’s unique social justice mission while applying tenacious fundraising and financial stewardship skills?
Application deadline: March 6, 2026
Sophia Academy
MIssion
Sophia Academy engages girls from low income families on a joyful quest for self‐discovery and opportunity through a middle school education grounded in social justice.
Vision
An equitable world where girls and women are seeking fulfillment, realizing their dreams, and inspiring others.
Motto
Reflecting wisdom in the girl
Core Values
Courage, respect, responsibility and peace
Sophia-at-a-glance
Located in South Providence, Sophia Academy is a tuition-free independent middle school in Providence, RI, founded in 2001 by Sister Mary Reilly, RSM. Our school draws forth each girl’s inherent wisdom, helps her find her voice, and guides her to embrace challenges and develop her intellect.
Sophia Academy is embedded in the community our students call home with many living within walking distance of the school. Our students represent the vibrant diversity of Providence: 65% identify as Hispanic/Latina, 17% as African American, 13% as Multiracial, and 5% as Asian. Sophia is committed to accessibility. Nearly 75% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
As a nonsectarian independent middle school, Sophia Academy serves approximately 60 girls in grades 5 through 8 with a growing alumni base of 300 graduates. While every graduate successfully transitions to high school, the vast majority also go on to achieve post-secondary success.
Key school leaders are women who grew up in Sophia Academy’s neighborhood and were first-generation college students themselves. Over 50% of Sophia Academy’s faculty, staff, and teaching partners are people of color (compared to approximately 20% in the Providence Public Schools).
Sophia Community
The differentiating factors that allow Sophia to meet each student’s specific needs include:
Regionally and nationally recognized teachers
Small classes and a culturally responsive and gender-responsive curriculum that affirms each student’s identity
Social-emotional learning and support that help to alleviate the stresses of adolescence
Robust enrichment programs that broaden each student’s perspectives and worldview and encourage her to be an active and informed citizen
With a social justice-based curriculum, faculty help students make connections to their lives through language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students develop critical thinking, reading, writing, and research skills. 8th graders take Algebra I and a capstone seminar applying their learning to a real-world social justice issue.
Sophia’s goal is to provide a positive, nurturing environment in which students recognize, celebrate, and manifest their value as vital members of their local and broader communities. Academic life is supplemented by robust extracurricular programs, events, and assemblies, as well as local and national field trips and excursions that greatly enrich every student’s experience.
Sophia has an active and engaged Board and is cultivating its alumnae network.