Job Description
JOB TITLE: Director of Study, Whole School
LOCATION: Guangzhou, China (Well-known K12 British International School)
START DATE: August 2026
JOB PURPOSE:
To provide leadership, direction, and guidance to academic members of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for curriculum quality and student achievement. To take a leading role in shaping the future academic direction of the school and to operate effectively as a key member of both the school’s SLT and the wider organisational leadership team. Reporting to the Principal, the post holder will have overall responsibility for leading, organising, and managing the school’s academic provision, promoting an inspiring vision for teaching and learning, and driving student performance and enrolment growth.
REPORTING TO:
Principal
DIRECT REPORTS:
Head of Primary (Academic)
Head of Secondary (Academic)
KEY INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
Teaching and support staff
Students
KEY RESULT AREAS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
Strategic Planning and Vision
Lead academic strategy development in collaboration with the Head of School and staff responsible for quality assurance and assessment.
Ensure the design and delivery of a balanced, challenging curriculum suitable for bilingual learners and preparing students for IGCSE, IB, A-Level, and Chinese examinations.
Oversee academic monitoring and evaluation cycles, ensuring consistently high academic standards and fostering a positive learning culture across the school.
Monitor and evaluate academic standards in line with the school’s bilingual framework and internal procedures, including competitor benchmarking.
Evaluate school performance and identify priorities for continuous improvement.
Attract, develop, retain, and manage teaching staff effectively.
Promote excellence, equality, and high expectations for all members of the school community.
Performance measures: NAE performance management evaluation; professional development feedback; departmental quality assurance feedback; parent survey outcomes.
Curriculum, Assessment and Systems Setup
Lead the design and implementation of a whole-school curriculum and assessment framework ensuring alignment, progression, and consistency across primary, secondary, and bilingual streams.
Oversee the development and ongoing improvement of student performance tracking and data systems to support teaching quality, student interventions, and curriculum refinement.
Coordinate curriculum delivery reviews and student placement adjustments based on assessment data to support student progress and achievement.
Establish clear processes and reporting standards for academic data analysis, benchmarking, and improvement planning aligned with Nord Anglia Education requirements.
Front of House: Admissions and Marketing
Assist the Principal and MAC in whole-school marketing initiatives to support continued school growth.
Support school admissions by arranging academic team coverage to promote the school to prospective parents.
Contribute to school marketing and admissions initiatives promoting the school’s educational strategy and unique advantages.
Ensure international teaching staff fully understand the school’s and organisation’s vision, philosophy, and mission from both educational and commercial perspectives.
Act as an ambassador for the school with key influencers and parents of prospective students.
Communicate regularly with parents to build advocacy for the school.
Performance measures: Event participation and feedback.
Leadership in Teaching and Learning
Create a school environment where achievement is central to all activities.
Make full use of educational collaborations, programmes, and global campus resources to promote outstanding academic, personal, and social opportunities for students.
Promote a culture of personal accountability and passion for education.
Regularly review the curriculum to ensure effective delivery and relevance to student needs.
Ensure students’ personal and social development is actively promoted through the curriculum and other activities.
Promote teaching excellence by monitoring and improving teaching standards.
Performance measures: Student survey feedback; student attainment and achievement data; student behaviour data.
Operational Expertise and Resource Management
Ensure efficient and effective use of teaching resources to achieve educational and operational excellence.
Produce, implement, and review the school’s strategic development plans.
Performance measures: Audit and compliance results meeting organisational standards.
Support the Principal in managing the school’s budget in line with organisational policy and current context.
Contribute to establishing best practices that can be shared across the wider organisation.
Recruiting and Developing Talent
Appoint teachers in line with organisational principles and practices for outstanding teachers and schools.
Promote and support performance management and professional development for all teaching staff.
Promote staff wellbeing to maximise professional contribution and job satisfaction.
Demonstrate commitment to the ongoing professional development of all employees.
Performance measures: Teacher retention; professional development participation and satisfaction.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Qualifications and Training
University degree (Honours Degree)
Recognised teaching qualification
Evidence of continuing professional development
Further degree in education or leadership
Skills and Knowledge
Strategic leadership ability to design and execute academic strategies aligned with the school’s vision.
Deep understanding of international curricula (IB and A-Level) and integration with the Chinese National Curriculum.
School leadership experience with responsibility for education, school operations, and commercial aspects (budget setting and control).
Awareness of current educational issues and curriculum developments.
Application of effective teaching and learning strategies achieving high teaching standards and pupil outcomes.
Effective strategies for maximising student enrolment and commercial success, including personal involvement in school promotion.
Understanding of how international schools differ from state-maintained schools.
Experience developing and implementing school quality improvement programmes, including raising student achievement and school self-evaluation.
Understanding of how to set appropriate school performance targets and prepare, monitor, and evaluate action plans.
Experience in premises development.
Proven experience leading, participating in, and building/developing people and successful teams, and managing change.
Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels.
Ability to work as part of a wider group of schools and represent the vision of the larger organisation.
Ability to inspire, enthuse, and secure the loyalty and confidence of students, staff, and parents.
Ability to handle parental concerns effectively, balancing customer views with educational and operational principles.
Commitment to the whole life of the school, including events and after-school activities.
Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
Collaborate with Empathy
A team player who shares knowledge to help colleagues and students learn and grow. Understands others’ culture, background, and needs to ensure everyone feels welcomed, included, and accepted. Self-aware of their impact on people and situations, adapting behaviour to work collaboratively.
Communicate with Impact
Communicates openly, transparently, and kindly. Influences and encourages others to share ideas. Makes every effort to understand their audience to build trust and positively impact students’ lives.
Make Considered Decisions
Makes decisions with the best interests of students, school communities, and the wider organisation in mind. Acts with integrity, using technology to generate data and insights that support decision-making.
Embrace Change
Works effectively in changing environments and embraces change to help improve the school. Deals with ambiguity by being adaptable and motivated to fulfil responsibilities.
Drive Growth
Entrepreneurial and strategic thinker. Challenges themselves and others to deliver outstanding commercial performance, leading to growth and exceptional student experiences.
Competitive annual salary (commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Monthly housing allowance
Annual flight allowance for employee and dependents
Relocation allowance
Tuition waiver
Medical insurance
Paid school holidays, plus sick and personal leave
Contract completion bonus
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Relocation package