The Academic Director plays an essential role in managing all Academic teams in the organization, including, but not limited to, the Chinese Department, Etonkids Montessori Teacher Training Academy, the English Department, and the Research and Development Department. This talented senior management member embraces global sensitivity and strong, commercial, decision-making abilities to provide innovative, strategic direction and high-quality leadership to drive academic excellence. Working closely with the company’s senior management team, the Academic Director shapes and then leads the execution of company’s academic strategy and makes significant contributions to developing and supporting the organization. This skilled operator is given the mandate to drive academic excellence and maximize the development of people. The Academic Director grows the company while delivering ongoing academic program supervision; ensuring the organization is aligned to the execution of best practice in early childhood education; and extract value potential local and international synergies and business development opportunities. The Academic Director builds instant credibility throughout the company through significant previous academic work and for his/her ability to deeply connect with people, and builds on those relationships to be seen as collaborative, values driven leader.
SUPERVISES:
Chinese Department, Etonkids Montessori Teacher Training Academy, English Department, Research and Development Department.
LIAISES WITH:
- INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Operations Department, Campus Principals, Regional Academic Coaches, Marketing Department, Human Resources Department, Finance Department
- EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS External academic and business development stakeholders
Nature and Scope
Accountabilities
Department Management
• Implement a vision for learning within the organization for all academic departments in line with that of the staff inspiring leadership to the team relative to key academic objectives and ensure performance objectives are met or exceeded; provide strategic, day-to-day leadership and
direction to all academic and administrative aspects of the organization’s early childhood education programs by fostering positive personal relationships and building a cooperative work environment; and plan, develop, direct, and evaluate all of the organization’s academic programs, ensuring the provision of appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curricula for students in accordance with the aims of the organization and Chinese government standards.
• Provide oversight and evaluation of the organizational structure and staffing of the academic departments, leading hiring endeavors for any department leader vacancies; supervise department managers, supervisors, and early childhood faculty members to ensure all early
childhood programs staff members adhere to established performance levels; and conduct training and leadership of all academic departments as well as ensure that all academic department management staff receive a comprehensive induction as well as ongoing professional development.
• Establish and oversee implementation of long and short range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures; monitor and evaluate academic program effectiveness; effect changes required for improvements; and establish high standards of learning, addressing any issues evident from field reports, self-review, or observations where learning falls below the required standards. Safeguard that all programs have schemes of work that enable examination of objectives and other whole school objectives to be met as well as ensuring those programs are appropriately resourced.
• Liaise with the Academic Department Heads to ensure the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high-quality, and cost-effective curricula, which complements the organization’s plan, as well as special department projects from conceptualization through production.
• Prepare and manage the annual department plan and budget as well as submit detailed monthly progress reports to the CEO/General Manager and COO; plan, allocate, and monitor all academic department resources in order to complete assigned projects as well as continue the internal
development goals of the organization; and recognize the resource requirements required for educational programs to ensure that the organization’s costs are adequately measured through accurate budgeting.
• Promote the corporate image of the organization and its educational activities to all individuals, groups internal and external to the organization, and participate in conferences, potentially as a presenter, where needed; serve as the early childhood spokesperson to promote the programs
through active participation in various local and national public relations forums and groups; and keep abreast of national academic and educational standards and how these might affect the organization’s programs.
• Develop the role of the Academic Department within the organization, sharing good practice, setting standards, and operating processes where appropriate; attend and participate actively in regular organization meetings and trainings, particularly senior management meetings, and
maintain, update, and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills, using the KPI System.
• Establish and maintain cogent working relationships with the organization’s other department leader; develop formal presentation skills (either written or verbal) to highlight the Academic Director’s role and the services that the Academic Departments provide; and be actively involved in the development of organization policies and procedures as well as their implementation and reinforcement of their use.
• Fulfill additional duties and responsibilities that are in line with the employment contract as instructed by Etonkids management.
Qualifications, Experience, and Competencies
• PhD in Early Childhood Education preferred (Masters is also acceptable)
• Minimum 15+ years in preschool early childhood education experience
• TEFL/TESOL/ELL Certification (or equivalent)
• 0-3 or 3-6 Montessori Certification
• 15+ years preschool/early childhood teaching experience
• 15+ years academic management and leadership experience
Experience
• Proven experience in the management and implementation of different curricula.
• Proven experience in examining and re-designing operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing the strategic plan for an academic unit.
• Proven experience in the field of preschool and early childhood education.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing effectively in order to meet deadlines.
Competencies
• See degree requirements above.
• High level classroom practitioner with extensive knowledge of early childhood education methodologies and models.
• Ability to provide academic, professional, and administrative leadership and direction at the upper level.
• Ability to direct and facilitate early childhood education programs.
• Knowledge of the accreditation and certification requirements and standards.
• Knowledge of applicable resources required for program/service development, implementation, and assessment.
• Knowledge of budget development and fiscal management.
• Ability to evaluate the work of others and enable their development through consultation, coaching, and support.
• Outstanding interpersonal and community relations and skills; the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Knowledge of applicable standards, policies, and procedures within specialty area.
• Knowledge of staff hiring procedures.
• Knowledge of community outreach practices.
• Ability to travel to professional meetings and other external events.
• Ability to analyze data and information as well as identify patterns and trends.
• Ability to formulate strategies for improved learning as a result of the above.
• Able to adjust and set new directions in response to changes in the environment.
• Self-motivated and proactive approach with ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times.
• Meticulous approach and attention to detail.
• Flexible to the demands
If interested, please send your resume to
samantha@jingjobs.com with email subject: "Your full name + Academic Director + EtonKids"
