Director, English as a Second Language (ESL) Services

Association for New Canadians; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit dedicated to immigrant services is seeking a Director for English as a Second Language (ESL) Services. This leadership role involves overseeing ESL programs across Newfoundland and Labrador, managing a team of about 50 staff, and ensuring excellence in teaching and curriculum. The successful candidate will innovate digital delivery methods and expand programming to enhance newcomer integration. Applicants should have a Master's degree and significant experience in education.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master's degree in Education or related field.
• Strong leadership experience in adult education or language training.
• Ability to manage large teams and complex operations effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight for ESL programs across multiple locations.
• Manage large multidisciplinary teams and ensure professional development.
• Expand digital and online ESL programming for better accessibility.

Skills

Leadership experience

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Knowledge of CLB standards

Digital learning platforms

Education

Master's degree in Education or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Association for New Canadians is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to the provision of settlement and integration services for immigrants and refugees.

Job Title: Director, English as a Second Language (ESL) Services

Location: St. John’s, NL (with oversight of multiple campuses and online offerings across NL)

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing date: Until role is filled

About the Organization

The Association for New Canadians (ANC) is a long-established, non-profit organization committed to supporting the successful settlement and integration of immigrants and refugees across Newfoundland and Labrador. With over 45 years of service delivery, the ANC provides a wide range of programs including language training, employment support, youth engagement, and community integration through multiple sites across the province.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic, creative, and collaborative leader for the role of Director, ESL Services. This senior leadership position provides strategic and operational oversight of the ANC’s ESL programs, delivered both in-person and online, to a diverse population of newcomers. The Director is responsible for leading a team of approximately 50 staff and overseeing multiple campuses, including our main location in St. John’s and satellite locations across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The successful candidate will lead innovation in digital delivery of language training, maintain excellence in teaching and curriculum, ensure accountability in program outcomes, and promote awareness of the critical role of language learning in newcomer integration.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all ESL programs, ensuring alignment with Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), organizational priorities, and funder requirements
• Manage a large multidisciplinary team including instructors, assessors, and support staff; provide professional development and mentorship to ensure excellence in service delivery
• Oversee curriculum development and delivery, instructional quality, and culturally responsive program design for diverse newcomer populations, including literacy-level learners, advanced learners looking to bridge to post‑secondary, as well as employment-focused ESL programming
• Expand and enhance digital and online ESL programming to improve accessibility across the province
• Proactively identify and pursue funding opportunities to ensure the sustainability and expansion of ESL programming. Coordinate data collection and outcome tracking to support timely, accurate reporting and to demonstrate program impact to all stakeholders
• Lead the use of CRM systems to track student progress, attendance, outcomes, and KPIs; ensure timely and accurate data reporting in compliance with privacy and funding requirements
• Monitor and manage divisional budgets, staffing levels, instructional resources, and physical spaces to ensure efficient, high‑quality operations
• Collaborate with HR to recruit, evaluate, and retain qualified ESL professionals; support employee engagement through coaching and performance reviews
• Maintain strong stakeholder relationships with government funders, community partners, and sector peers; represent ANC on committees and working groups
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation based on student and instructor feedback, emerging best practices, and research in adult language education

Qualifications and Experience

• A Master’s degree in Education, Applied Linguistics, Public Administration, or related field. Equivalencies will be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in adult education or language training
• Proven experience managing large teams and complex operations across multiple locations
• Knowledge of CLB standards, instructional design, adult learning principles, and digital learning platforms
• Proven ability to lead digital innovation, including expansion of online and hybrid program models
• Familiarity with using CRM systems for performance measurement and reporting
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• A commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices in education
• Knowledge of immigration and refugee settlement in Canada is considered an asset

Conditions of Employment

• Legal authorization to work in Canada
• Flexible to work outside of core hours (Monday‑Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
• Valid class 5 NL driver’s license and daily access to a personal vehicle is required
• Ability to travel is required
• Position is subject to a satisfactory Criminal Record Screening and Vulnerable Sector Check from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
• Valid First Aid Certificate is an asset

How to Apply

Please upload a cover letter and resume as one PDF or MS Word document to https://associationfornewcanadians.bamboohr.com/careers/253

Association for New Canadians is committed to the advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. We believe that diversity in our team is a key pillar in the work we do and invite all candidates to discuss their specific skill sets and experience. We will work with qualified applicants to provide reasonable accommodation upon request to facilitate this recruitment process.

Visit us online at: www.ancnl.ca.