Head of Mandarin

EtonHouse International Education Group; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international education group in Singapore is seeking a Head of Mandarin to provide strategic leadership for its Mandarin Immersion Pathway. The successful candidate will oversee curriculum design and quality assurance while fostering teacher development and ensuring alignment with the IB Primary Years Programme. Strong bilingual communication skills in Mandarin and English, along with 8–10 years of leadership experience in bilingual education, are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of leadership experience in Mandarin Immersion or bilingual education.
• Strong understanding of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and inquiry-based learning.
• Proven expertise in immersion pedagogy and teacher development.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic development of the Mandarin Immersion Pathway.
• Oversee curriculum design ensuring alignment with IB PYP.
• Support recruitment and retention of Mandarin educators.

Skills

Bilingual communication skills in Mandarin and English

Leadership

Curriculum design

Professional development

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Master’s degree in Education, Chinese Language, or related field

Recognised teaching qualification

Job description

Job Description

Responsible to: Principal and CEO of EtonHouse

Role Purpose

The Head of Mandarin provides strategic leadership and vision for the Mandarin Immersion Pathway (MIP) at EtonHouse Broadrick, ensuring its continued excellence as a flagship bilingual programme within the EtonHouse Group. This role also oversees alignment and quality across the Integrated Curriculum Pathway (ICP) and Bilingual Programmes to ensure progression, consistency, and innovation in Mandarin education.

Working in close partnership with the Principal, CEO, and the EtonHouse Pedagogy Team, the Head of Mandarin leads curriculum design, staff development, and pedagogical advancement that reinforce Broadrick’s position as a leading bilingual school and strengthen the identity and impact of the Mandarin Immersion Pathway.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead the strategic development and growth of the Mandarin Immersion Pathway, ensuring it reflects best practice in bilingual and inquiry-based education.
• Develop and implement a whole-school Mandarin strategy that prioritises the success and expansion of the MIP while maintaining excellence across all pathways.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and EtonHouse HQ to align the MIP with group-wide bilingual and pedagogical initiatives.
• Promote the MIP as a model of bilingual education, showcasing its success within the EtonHouse Group and the wider international school community.

2. Leadership and Line Management

• Line‑manage and provide professional leadership to the Mandarin Department, ensuring clear direction, shared goals, and effective collaboration.
• Oversee appraisal, professional development, and performance management within the Mandarin Department.
• Develop leadership and teaching capacity within the MIP and broader Mandarin team through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Support recruitment and retention of outstanding Mandarin Immersion educators in collaboration with HR.

3. Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance

• Lead curriculum design and review for the Mandarin Immersion Pathway, ensuring coherence, progression, and alignment with the IB PYP and EtonHouse bilingual philosophy.
• Oversee quality assurance processes across all Mandarin pathways to ensure high standards of teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Foster innovation in bilingual and inquiry-based pedagogy, integrating Mandarin language learning authentically across the curriculum.
• Use data and evidence to evaluate programme effectiveness and drive improvement.

4. Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

• Champion and model exemplary bilingual and immersion teaching practices that support deep conceptual understanding and language acquisition.
• Oversee assessment systems within the MIP (and broader Mandarin programmes), ensuring consistency, transparency, and meaningful feedback to inform teaching.
• Support teachers in using student data and learning evidence to enhance instruction and improve learning outcomes.

5. Professional Development and Capacity Building

• Develop and implement a professional learning framework tailored to Mandarin Immersion pedagogy.
• Lead professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on inquiry, bilingual education, and effective language immersion practice.
• Ensure teacher development supports school and programme improvement priorities and IB PYP standards.

6. Communication, Collaboration, and Representation

• Act as the key link between the Mandarin Department, the Principal, the CEO, and EtonHouse HQ.
• Represent the Mandarin Immersion Pathway at group‑level meetings and professional networks, contributing to the development of bilingual education across EtonHouse schools.
• Engage parents and the wider community to promote understanding and support for the MIP.

7. Resource and Programme Management

• Oversee planning, resourcing, and budgeting for the Mandarin Immersion Pathway and related Mandarin programmes.
• Ensure effective allocation of resources to support immersive teaching and cultural learning.
• Oversee the coordination of Mandarin‑related events, ensuring they enrich learning and strengthen Broadrick’s bilingual culture.

8. Cultural Leadership and Bilingual Identity

• Champion the Mandarin Immersion Pathway as central to Broadrick’s bilingual identity and ethos.
• Lead the authentic integration of the Chinese language and culture into the daily life of the school.
• Promote intercultural understanding through meaningful celebrations, community engagement, and curriculum design that reflect EtonHouse’s holistic and inclusive values.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Chinese Language, Bilingual Education, or a related field.
• Recognised teaching qualification.
• 8–10 years of leadership experience in Mandarin Immersion or bilingual education, ideally within an international or IB school context.
• Strong understanding of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and inquiry-based learning.
• Proven expertise in immersion pedagogy, curriculum design, and teacher development.
• Strong bilingual communication skills in Mandarin and English.
• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills with the ability to lead change effectively.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary, with a deep commitment to bilingual and bicultural education.
• Collaborative and culturally sensitive leader who inspires trust and professional respect.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance innovation with operational excellence.
• Reflective, approachable, and dedicated to continuous professional growth.