Managing Director of Religious Curriculum, Catechesis and Assessment

POSITION SUMMARY

The Managing Director of Religious Curriculum, Catechesis and Assessment serves as a leader within the Department of Catholic Schools and reports directly to the Chief of Mission and Catholic Identity. The Managing Director supports the mission of Catholic schools by providing leadership, guidance, and strategic direction for religion curriculum, catechetical instruction, teacher support, and assessment across PK–12 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

This position is responsible for the development, implementation, execution, and evaluation of a rigorous and engaging religion curriculum rooted in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic Social Teaching, and the evangelizing mission of the Church. The Managing Director works closely with principals and teachers to strengthen classroom instruction and ensure students develop a strong foundation in Catholic content knowledge, faith formation, spiritual development, and Christian discipleship.

The Managing Director provides leadership in curriculum alignment, instructional support, assessment practices, educator formation, professional development, and mission-centered initiatives that promote academic excellence and Catholic identity throughout the school system. The Managing Director works in close collaboration with the Academic and Data teams to ensure that religion curriculum, assessment design, and student learning outcomes are grounded in rigorous evidence, aligned with system-wide academic priorities, and informed by data at both the school and Archdiocesan level.

Additionally, the Managing Director also supports and participates in various initiatives of the Mission and Catholic Identity team as directed by the Chief of Mission and Catholic Identity and the needs of the Department of Catholic schools.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Curriculum Leadership

Lead the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the PK–12 religion standards and curriculum for Catholic schools.
Through an internal and external process, evaluate and revise where necessary the PK-12 Catholic school religion instructional standards and align with various canonical and Catechetical mandates and resources.
Ensure curriculum alignment and vertical articulation across grade levels with clear learning outcomes and instructional expectations.
Oversee the review and selection of religion instructional materials, textbooks, digital resources, and supplemental catechetical tools.
Work with textbook publishers to ensure proper alignment of instructional materials with standards and assessment.
Support integration of Catholic identity, virtue formation, prayer, service, evangelization, and discipleship within the religion curriculum.
Align curriculum and assessment practices with approved catechetical resources and tools, including the Catechetical Institute and the ARK Assessment.
Develop a uniform system to assess the standards and benchmarks to support student mastery of essential Catholic teachings and content knowledge.

Instructional Support & School Leadership

Serve as a primary resource to principals and teachers in matters related to religion curriculum and catechetical instruction.
Support principals in strengthening religion instruction and evaluating classroom effectiveness.
Provide instructional coaching, professional guidance, and ongoing support to teachers responsible for religion instruction and faith formation.
Conduct school visits, classroom observations, and follow-up support related to curriculum implementation and instructional effectiveness.
Assist schools in strengthening academic rigor and student engagement within religion programs.
Assist with development and implementation of school level data review and analysis systems and tools

Professional Development & Formation

Design and facilitate professional development for teachers and school leaders related to religion curriculum, catechetical instruction, assessment, and instructional best practices.
Support educators in developing theological understanding and effective classroom pedagogy.
Provide onboarding and support for new religion teachers and instructional leaders.
Coordinate opportunities that strengthen educator faith formation, mission integration, and instructional confidence.

Student Learning & Assessment

Support schools in the use of formative and summative assessments to evaluate student learning in religion.
Assist principals and teachers in analyzing student learning data and identifying areas for instructional growth.
Promote instructional practices that help students understand, articulate, and apply Catholic teaching.
Develop systems to monitor curriculum effectiveness and student achievement across schools.

Strategic Leadership

Collaborate with Department of Catholic Schools leadership to support strategic priorities related to Catholic identity and mission effectiveness.
Lead the implementation and evaluation of mission-centered curriculum initiatives and instructional programs.
Use aggregate assessment data to inform long-range curriculum planning
Support accreditation efforts related to Catholic identity, religion curriculum, and instructional quality.
Assist in the development of long-range plans and goals for religion curriculum and catechetical instruction throughout the archdiocese.
Provide leadership and accompaniment in spiritual development of various school and department constituents including leaders, teachers, students, parents and clergy.

Program Development and Execution

Evaluating the existing religious curriculum to determine effectiveness, outcomes and consistency.
Managing the research, content design, development and delivery of best-in-class, relevant and engaging religious curriculum in alignment with the Handbook on Catechetical Accompaniment, the Directory for Catechesis, and other magisterial guidance.
Ensuring strong execution of professional development sessions, measuring learning, and collecting and leveraging data to monitor effectiveness and continually improve program.
Facilitating, leading and attending training sessions.
Provide spiritual, pastoral, curricular, and programming resources to schools
Assist Principals in planning and executing school Faculty / Staff Retreat(s)
Supports the management of Catechetical formation and certification program for all catholic school leaders and educators.
Organizational Leadership

Supporting a strong team culture across the Department of Catholic Schools.
Serving as an exemplar of professional values and servant leadership.
Working with other team members (i.e., academics, operations, leadership formation, regional superintendents) to ensure faith formation is at the center of our ministry.
Engaging in cross-functional collaboration and working groups to identify synergies across teams and accelerate organizational learning.
Leveraging session curriculum and learning to contribute to the department’s overall formation and leadership development pipeline.
Proactively seeking out, providing and acting on feedback.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, typically:

Active and practicing Roman Catholic in full communion with the Church whose life reflects Catholic teaching and values.
Master’s level degree or higher in Theology, Catechetics, Educational Leadership, or related field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Catholic education, catechetical leadership, curriculum development, instructional leadership, and school administration.
Catholic theology and catechesis.
Curriculum design and instructional practices.
Methods for forming and teaching faith and academic content to children and adults.
Mission-centered educational leadership and Catholic identity.

Skill in:

Catechetical leadership and curriculum development.
Instructional leadership and strategic thinking.
Supporting teachers, principals, and school communities.
Organizational and project management practices.
Technology utilization, including data systems, digital platforms, and instructional technologies.
Effective communication and relationship building.
Leadership and collaboration.
Adapting to and leveraging educational technologies for communication, assessment, and leadership.
Continuous learning, reflective practice, collaboration, and innovation.

Ability to:

Support teachers, principals, and school communities in mission-centered educational environments.
Effectively utilize and adapt to data systems, digital platforms, and instructional technologies.
Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong professional relationships.
Lead in a faith-filled, inspirational, mission-driven manner.
Collaborate and serve others effectively.
Organize, adapt, and execute priorities successfully.
Promote academic excellence and Catholic identity.
Demonstrate a growth mindset through continuous improvement and openness to innovation.
Support students, teachers, and families in their faith formation and educational development.
Travel regularly throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Leadership Characteristics (Personal Attributes)

Faith-filled, inspirational, and mission-driven Catholic leader.
Collaborative and service oriented.
Strong instructional and strategic thinker.
Effective communicator and relationship builder.
Organized, adaptable, and execution focused.
Committed to academic excellence and Catholic identity.
Growth mindset.
Passionate about supporting students, teachers, and families in the life of faith.
Demonstrates continuous learning, reflective practice, collaboration, and openness to innovation.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

Occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
Sit for sustained periods of time on a daily basis.
Perform tasks requiring intermittent bending, stooping, and walking.
Sustain frequent movement of the fingers, wrists, hands, and arms.

Benefits
Our Benefits include:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Pension Plan
403B Plan
Vacation & Sick Time - Prorated
Paid Holidays
Employee Discount Programs (24hr Fitness, LA Fitness, Hotel Engine, Great Work Perks*)
*Great Work Perks (Amusement Parks, Car Rentals & Hotel, Restaurant, and Shopping discounts)
Transit Subsidy