Head of Secondary

St. Nicholas School; São Paulo; On-site; BRL 300,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Life insurance

Lunch and breakfast

Up to three paid days off per year

Job summary

St. Nicholas IB World School in São Paulo invites an inspiring Head of Secondary to lead Grades 6–12 at the Pinheiros campus, starting July 2027. You will shape program strategy, oversee MYP and DP implementation, uphold high standards, and foster student wellbeing and academic excellence.

You will lead a diverse faculty, collaborate with families and the Senior Leadership Team, and drive inclusive practices to advance the school's mission in a dynamic international community.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience in secondary international or multicultural schools.
• Deep knowledge of IB MYP and DP with demonstrated program leadership.
• Strong intercultural competence and ability to engage with local Brazilian culture.
• Visible, relationship-centered leadership style with clear communication and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Secondary division in alignment with the school mission and contribute to whole-school strategic planning.
• Oversee curriculum, instruction, and assessment for MYP & DP with emphasis on coherence and outcomes.
• Foster student wellbeing, voice, leadership, and extracurricular programs.
• Recruit, evaluate, coach, and retain high-quality faculty in an international context.
• Maintain transparent communication with parents, students, and staff; oversee daily operations and resource management.

Skills

Intercultural competence

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum/Instruction

Job description

St. Nicholas IB World School seeks an inspiring, dynamic, and experienced Head of Secondary for its Pinheiros campus, commencing in July 2027. Serving a vibrant community of 341 secondary learners from Brazil and over thirty countries, St. Nicholas provides an inclusive, student-centered education spanning Grades 6–12.

Reporting directly to the Head of School and serving as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Secondary will provide strategic, operational, and pedagogical oversight across both the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP). The successful leader will uphold high academic standards, foster student agency and wellbeing, empower a diverse faculty, and champion the school's mission of inclusion and international mindedness.

The Secondary School is in an exciting moment of refining the implementation of the MYP, of strengthening connections with the Primary section, and developing alignment with the St Nicholas Alphaville campus.

Newly added courses are taking root, expanded campus spaces are being developed, and since graduating its first class over twenty years ago, Secondary is embarking on a new chapter: elevating school culture, developing student voice and leadership, and ensuring that the school’s values of respect, integrity, commitment, belonging and international mindedness are reflected every day in school life.

The next Head of Secondary will strengthen the systems, structures, and communication that underpin a high-functioning school powered by a talented and dedicated staff. Success in this work will require a leader who builds relationships and trust, communicates with clarity, and makes decisions with confidence. The opportunity is significant: to build on the existing traditions while shaping the next chapter of a dynamic school to inspire an extraordinary community to become even stronger, more connected, and equipped to innovate in the great city of Sao Paulo.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic & Divisional Leadership: Lead the Secondary division in alignment with the St. Nicholas mission, advancing a culture of high expectations and contributing actively to whole-school strategic planning, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Teaching & Learning (MYP & DP): Oversee curriculum, instruction, and assessment across Grades 6–12 to ensure academic rigor and coherent alignment across both the IB MYP and DP. Maintain strong academic outcomes and support diverse university pathways.
• Student Experience & Wellbeing: Foster a safe, inclusive, and respectful school environment that nurtures student voice, leadership, and personal growth. Oversee student life, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), athletics, and extracurricular programs.
• Faculty Leadership & Development: Recruit, evaluate, coach, and retain high-quality international and local faculty. Build a collaborative, growth-oriented professional culture centered on instructional excellence and inquiry-based pedagogy.
• Community Engagement & Operations: Maintain transparent, relational communication with parents, students, and staff. Oversee daily operational systems, scheduling, reporting, and resource management.

Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
• Leadership Experience: Significant background in secondary school teaching and leadership within international or multicultural school settings.
• Curriculum Expertise: Deep knowledge and demonstrated leadership in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP).
• Intercultural Competence: High emotional and cultural intelligence, with the capacity to engage with local Brazilian culture alongside a diverse global community.
• Leadership Style: A visible, relationship-centered, and collaborative leader who communicates with clarity, designs effective operational systems, and leads with empathy and integrity.

We offer:

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Lunch and breakfast at our restaurant.
• Up to three paid days off per year (according to our personal day policy).

Please note that occasional Saturday work may be required to support school programs.

Join us in creating a nurturing and enriching environment where we prepare each child for their own success.

Our school is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. We prioritise creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. All applicants will undergo comprehensive background checks to ensure the highest standards of safety and care for our community.