Executive Principal

Tunku Putra-HELP School; Kuching; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established educational institution in Kuching, Malaysia, seeks an Executive Principal to lead educational programs and ensure a strong culture of learning. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in leadership, a commitment to fostering a professional learning community, and a minimum of 5 years' experience in a similar role. Responsibilities include overseeing staff recruitment, managing educational practices, and ensuring compliance with educational laws. Attractive compensation package offered, including accommodation and insurance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Group Personal Accident Insurance

Full tuition fee coverage for 2 dependent children

Qualifications

• Min 5 years experience as Principal or Head of School of an international school.
• Completion of a recognized school leadership qualification.
• Proven ability to impact student achievement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee educational programs and policies.
• Manage staff recruitment and professional development.
• Ensure compliance with laws governing the school.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Fiscal management

Staff management

Education

Post-graduate certificate in education

Job description

Has the ability to create a strong sense of identity among teachers, staff and students of the school that reflects the mission and values of the school.

Has the ability to create a culture of learning, innovation and excellence that differentiates and defines who we are as a school.

Is able to ensure that the School remains a school of choice for parents looking to give their children a quality, holistic educational experience.

Is able to ensure that the School provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development for teachers and staff that will help optimise retention and attract the best teachers to the school.

Has the requisite leadership and management competencies to oversee all sections of the School, ensuring equitable attention, resources and leadership support is provided across all sections and curriculum pathways to facilitate the development, resourcing and effective delivery of all educational programs offered by the school.

Has a good understanding of fiscal management and is able to manage the financial and material resources of the school within the parameters set by the Board of Directors.

Reporting Relationship

The Executive Principal is responsible for the direction and supervision of all personnel who perform their respective functions within the school.

The Executive Principal reports directly to the CEO of HELP Education Services as the primary representative of the Boards of Governors and Directors and meets with the CEO regularly to provide updates on all aspects of school life.

The Executive Principal will also be required to provide regular reports to the Board of Governors on all aspects of the academic program and the progress of the implementation of the School’s Strategic Plan.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties

Mission and Vision

Ensure the on-going creation and development of a school ethos and culture that is based on the Vision, Mission and Values of the school.

Work with the stakeholders of the school (Board of Governors, Teachers, Parents and Students) to review the current Strategic Plan of the school and work towards the creation of the new plan when the current plan expires.

Teaching and Learning

Responsible for developing, monitoring, evaluating and promoting an instructional programme in the school that reflects the best evidence practice that is current and suitable for the 21st century.

Responsible for the coordination and approval of all school activities and programs.

Work with School Leadership Team and Board of Governors to ensure that the school’s educational practices are current and innovative and curriculum used in all sections of the school is regularly reviewed to ensure that the curricula are current and enriched with value-added content that reflects a culture of learning and excellence.

Ensure that school-based assessments, whether formative or summative, are carried out based on the policy for homework and examinations.

Ensure a data-driven approach to track and address gaps in learning and provide timely feedback to learners and their parents on the progress of interventions used.

Establish and uphold high standards and clear expectations for academic performance, professional conduct and behaviour for all students and staff.

Recognise and promote the use of Information Technology as an essential 21st century learning tool.

Actively promote international education opportunities for students to develop a strong sense of international mindedness.

Student Life

Regularly review the student welfare and pastoral polices of the school to ensure that they continue to have adequate safeguards that promote the protection, safety, self-esteem and welfare of all students.

Review, monitor and implement policies and processes that enable the promotion of student agency.

Staff Recruitment, Management and Professional Development

Responsible for the recruitment of competent teachers and staff for the school.

Oversee the on-boarding processes and development of new teachers and staff to the school.

Working with the Senior Leadership Team, manage and finalize all staff assignments.

Implement and oversee a data-informed and evidence-based performance management process for school leaders, teachers and staff, using clearly defined qualitative and quantitative indicators to support professional growth, accountability, and continuous improvement, while maintaining staff wellbeing and a positive professional culture.

Overall School Administration and Management

Use meaningful data and statistics to make informed decisions on school improvement.

Effectively use technology for efficient and effective administrative practices.

Establish procedures for reviewing current policies and procedures for changes as needed.

Supervise and mentor the School Leadership Team consisting of the Heads of the different sections of schools.

Regularly review teacher and student handbooks to ensure alignment with Board approved policies as well as changes to the National Education policies.

Oversee the development and implementation of the annual school master calendar.

Oversee procedures for maintenance of permanent records.

Work with the Senior and Middle Leaders in the school to ensure a consistent and fair behaviour management system for students.

Supervise and approve field trips, staff development activities, assemblies, report card distribution, parent/teacher conferences, and other special events.

Attend school performances and fixtures.

Contribute actively and creatively support the whole-school Administrative team.

Oversee all school accreditation processes.

Discharge all duties in compliance with the laws and regulations of Malaysia, including those governing international and national schools, and ensure that the School operates in accordance with the policies, directives and governance requirements of the Board of Governors and the Group.

Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO of HES.

Parent and Community Engagement

Strengthen community contacts and network with community organizations to promote the school.

Maintain a positive, interactive and transparent relationship with the school community.

Regularly engage with parents to update them on key aspects of the academic programme and obtain feedback from them on different aspects of school life with a view to driving improvements in the school.

Ensure weekly home-school communication between teachers and parents to inform parents of in-class work and school activities.

Person Specification – Essential Qualifications and Qualities

Completion of at least a post-graduate certificate in education – a recognised qualification in school leadership will be an advantage.

Minimum of 5 years of experience as Principal / Head of School of an international school.

Commitment to teacher training and the development of both local and expatriate staff.

The capacity to create and nurture a professional learning community focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and with a commitment to their own learning and well‑being.

Strong organisational skills.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Commitment to internationalism in education.

Proven ability to impact student achievement in a school.

Sound knowledge and understanding of pedagogy, and ability to lead in teaching and learning.

Proven ability to work autonomously and collaboratively as a member of a leadership team, with high levels of accountability.

Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies and lead innovation and change.

Demonstrated capacity to ensure the school’s human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.

Proven ability to work well with a diverse school community and develop positive relationships with parents/families and the local community.

Experience of international school accreditation processes will be an advantage.

Terms and Conditions of the Appointment

The initial contract offered to the successful candidate will be from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028, renewable thereafter by mutual agreement between the Executive Principal and the Board of Governors.

An attractive compensation package, commensurate with the responsibilities of the position, will be offered to the successful candidate and will include the following:

• A competitive salary, with Employees Provident Fund contribution
• Group Personal Accident Insurance
• Group Hospitalisation and Surgical Insurance
• Accommodation allowance (Non‑Sarawakians only)
• Full tuition fee coverage for up to 2 dependent children enrolled with Tunku Putra‑HELP School
• Annual return airfare for the Executive Principal and his/her dependents (International Staff only)
• Relocation allowance (reimbursement basis) (International Staff only)

Application Procedure

Suitably qualified candidates should send their applications to [e-mail] – all the items below collated together in a single pdf as an email attachment (to arrive as soon as possible, and no later than Feb 22, 2026)

• a letter of application (no more than one page), briefly outlining why the candidate wishes to apply for this position and what specific skills, qualities and experience he/she can offer
• a CV (no more than two pages)
• a statement of educational and leadership philosophy (no more than one page)
• the names and full contact details of at least three professional referees (one of which should, if possible, be the leader of the applicant’s current organisation)
• a good recent head‑and‑shoulders photo

Interviews are scheduled to take place during March 2026, with the final round for the final shortlist of not more than 3 candidates to be carried out onsite in Kuching, Sarawak. The School’s Board however reserves the right to invite selected candidates to interviews in advance of this schedule.

About the School

The Tunku Putra‑HELP School Kuching is built on a partnership amongst three leading organisations, Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad, Ibraco Berhad and the HELP Education Group, who share the belief that quality education can help people achieve success and significance in their lives. Leveraging on one another’s forte, the partnership strives to deliver world‑class education at affordable fees to the people of Sarawak, and develop the future leaders of our State, nation and the world.