Academic Principal（whole school）

JOB TITLE: Director of Studies, Whole School
LOCATION: Guangzhou, China (Well-Established Bilingual School)
START DATE: August 2026

JOB PURPOSE
To offer strategic leadership, direction, and guidance to academic senior leadership team members concerning curriculum quality and student outcomes. As a core member of the SLT and the broader organisational leadership group, shape the institution's long-term academic vision. Report directly to the Principal, with overarching accountability for steering, structuring, and managing academic provision, championing an ambitious vision for teaching and learning, while boosting student performance and supporting enrolment expansion.

REPORTING TO: Principal
DIRECT REPORTS: Head of Primary (Academic), Head of Secondary (Academic)
KEY INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: Teaching and support staff, students

KEY RESULT AREAS & PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Strategic Planning & Vision

Spearhead the development of academic strategy alongside the Head of School and quality assurance/assessment personnel.

Ensure a well-rounded and suitably challenging curriculum for bilingual learners preparing for IGCSE, IB, A-Level, and Chinese national examinations.

Supervise academic monitoring and evaluation cycles, upholding rigorous standards and fostering a constructive learning environment.

Benchmark institutional performance against competitors; assess school-wide outcomes and pinpoint priorities for improvement.

Attract, nurture, retain, and manage teaching faculty; champion excellence, equity, and high aspirations.
Performance measures: Performance management reviews; feedback from professional development activities; departmental QA evaluations; parent survey outcomes.

Curriculum, Assessment & Systems Setup

Direct the design and implementation of a cohesive whole-school curriculum and assessment structure, ensuring coherence and consistency across primary, secondary, and bilingual pathways.

Oversee student performance tracking and data systems to inform teaching quality, intervention strategies, and ongoing curriculum enhancements.

Coordinate periodic curriculum delivery reviews and adjust student placement decisions based on evidence.

Establish clear protocols for academic data analysis, benchmarking, and improvement planning aligned with the organisation's overarching quality standards.

Front of House: Admissions & Marketing

Support the Principal in school-wide marketing efforts to drive growth.

Facilitate admissions by coordinating academic staff participation in prospective parent events.

Contribute to marketing campaigns that highlight the school’s educational philosophy and distinctive strengths.

Ensure international teaching staff clearly understand the school’s and organisation’s vision, philosophy, and mission from both educational and commercial standpoints.

Serve as an ambassador with key stakeholders and prospective families; maintain regular communication with parents to foster advocacy.
Performance measures: Event attendance and participant feedback.

Leadership in Teaching & Learning

Cultivate a setting where achievement is prioritised across all activities.

Leverage educational partnerships, programmes, and global campus resources to expand student opportunities.

Encourage personal accountability and a genuine enthusiasm for education.

Periodically reassess curriculum delivery to ensure effectiveness and relevance.

Support students’ personal and social development through curricular and extracurricular offerings.

Monitor and elevate teaching standards to drive excellence.
Performance measures: Student feedback surveys; student attainment and achievement data; behaviour records.

Operational Expertise & Resource Management

Ensure teaching resources are deployed efficiently to achieve educational and operational excellence.

Develop, implement, and periodically review strategic development plans.
Performance measures: Audit and compliance outcomes meeting organisational benchmarks.

Assist the Principal in budget oversight in line with institutional policies.

Contribute to the development of best practices that can be disseminated across the wider organisation.

Recruiting & Developing Talent

Appoint teachers consistent with organisational principles for high-performing schools.

Champion and facilitate performance management and ongoing professional development for all teaching personnel.

Promote staff well-being to optimise contribution and job satisfaction.

Demonstrate a firm commitment to the continuous professional growth of all employees.
Performance measures: Teacher retention rates; participation in and satisfaction with professional development opportunities.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications

University degree (Honours Degree)

Recognised teaching qualification

Evidence of ongoing professional development

Postgraduate degree in education or leadership (preferred)

Skills & Knowledge

Strategic leadership capability to design and implement academic strategies aligned with the school’s vision.

Thorough knowledge of international curricula (IB and A-Level) and their integration with the Chinese National Curriculum.

School leadership experience encompassing educational, operational, and commercial responsibilities (including budget formulation and control).

Awareness of current educational trends and curriculum developments.

Proficiency in applying effective teaching and learning approaches that yield strong outcomes and pupil achievement.

Proven strategies for maximising student enrolment and commercial viability, including direct involvement in school promotion.

Understanding of how international schools differ from state-maintained counterparts.

Experience in devising and implementing quality enhancement initiatives, including school self-evaluation and achievement-raising efforts.

Competence in setting appropriate school performance targets and preparing, monitoring, and evaluating action plans.

Experience with premises development.

Track record of leading, contributing to, and building successful teams, as well as managing organisational change.

Capacity to function effectively at both strategic and operational levels.

Ability to operate within a broader group of schools and represent the larger organisation’s vision.

Capacity to inspire, motivate, and secure the trust and confidence of students, staff, and parents.

Skill in addressing parental concerns constructively, balancing customer perspectives with educational and operational priorities.

Commitment to participating in the full life of the school, including events and extracurricular activities.

Strong communication skills across diverse audiences.

Personal Attributes

Collaborate with Empathy: A team-oriented individual who shares expertise; demonstrates cultural awareness and adaptability; adjusts behaviour to foster effective collaboration.

Communicate with Impact: Communicates candidly, transparently, and considerately; inspires and persuades others; builds trust and makes a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

Make Considered Decisions: Acts with integrity, drawing on data and insights to inform decisions that prioritise the welfare of students, school communities, and the wider organisation.

Embrace Change: Thrives in evolving environments; flexible and driven to continually improve the school.

Drive Growth: An entrepreneurial and forward-thinking leader who challenges both self and others to achieve outstanding commercial results, fostering growth and exceptional student experiences.

BENEFITS
- Competitive annual salary (based on experience and qualifications)
- Off campus apartment
- Annual flight allowance for employee and dependents
- Relocation allowance
- Tuition waiver
- Medical insurance
- Paid public holidays, Christmas,etc
- Contract completion bonus