Head of Secondary Years, Diploma Programme

International Baccalaureate; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 71,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global educational organization is seeking a Head of Secondary Years for the Diploma Programme. This role involves designing the academic offerings for upper secondary, ensuring alignment with university preparation, and leading strategic initiatives in school systems. The successful candidate will have strong educational leadership skills and a deep understanding of diverse school environments. Responsibilities include guiding project teams, representing the organization at external events, and overseeing educational budgets.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in educational leadership roles.
• Expertise in curriculum design and school systems.
• Ability to engage with various school models.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the design of IB's academic upper-secondary offering.
• Lead strategic execution for university pathways.
• Communicate with external stakeholders and represent the IB.

Skills

Educational leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Advanced degree in Education or related field

Job description

Job type : Fulltime, Permanent

Location : IB (International Baccalaureate) Global Centre, The Hague (NL), Cardiff (UK), Singapore (SG) or Washington DC (US)

Salary negotiable depending on experience :

NL (HG18) : EUR 99.951-124.939 annually

UK (HG18) : GBP 71.820-89.775 annually

US (HG18) : USD 132.758-165.948 annually

SG (HG18) : SGD 163.792-204.741 annually

A relocation package and work permit sponsoring will only be offered by relocation to The Netherlands

The Head of Secondary Years, Diploma Programme will be responsible for the design of IB’s academic upper-secondary offering, focusing on creating multiple ways for schools and school systems to engage with university preparation, including modular offers designs, recognition-informed options, and models for under-resourced, public, or system-aligned schools. This role ensures that university pathways reflect global diversity, supports inclusive access to post-secondary success, and advances IB’s commitment to human and planetary flourishing. The role is also responsible for leading the strategy and execution of (at least) one functional area of strategic importance for the Education Office. The service promise of this leader and their team is to act as a catalyst for school and school system success in implementing education reforms by providing expert guidance for and leading in the design of appropriate education solutions.

This highly experienced educational leader will lead the Secondary years university pathways. They will be responsible for aligning learning, teaching and assessment coherently with the other pathways for impactful learning and teaching in IB schools and school systems. The post holder must possess the ability to think about different kinds of schools and how they can engage with the IB.

The post holder develops and executes school systems strategies, policies and processes to ensure that they reflect the IB educational philosophy, ongoing relevance and competitiveness within the IB’s framework for international education.

Reporting to the Director of School Systems Design, the role contributes to the overall strategic direction of the Education Office and supports the implementation of office initiatives. This includes writing management reports and papers on both thought leadership and school systems initiatives or activities and representing the IB at external events and meetings.

The post holder also provides leadership and guidance to the team on the strategic level. This includes oversight of projects related to the educational offer, building, guiding and inspiring project teams to execute strategic plans. In addition, the Head represents, communicates and collaborates with colleagues in the Education Office leadership teams and in different offices / departments across the organization as well as with external stakeholders to further growth. The role also has financial accountability for the educational offer budgets.