Head of School

KAPLAN HIGHER EDUCATION ACADEMY PTE. LTD.; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed higher education institution in Singapore is seeking a Head of School (School of Language & Foundation Studies) to lead academic programs and ensure excellence in teaching and learning. The role involves overseeing curriculum development, managing staff, and enhancing the student experience. Candidates should have a Master’s Degree, 10 years of experience, and strong leadership skills. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement based at Wilkie Edge.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of curriculum design and higher education administration.
• Proven ability to lead and support academic teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership in teaching and assessment.
• Oversee curriculum development and quality assurance.
• Manage academic staff performance and resources.

Skills

Curriculum design

Academic leadership

People management

Digital learning tools

Communication

Education

Master’s Degree

PhD (priority)

Job description

THE ROLE: Head of School (School of Language & Foundation Studies)

The Head of School provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure excellence in teaching, learning, and academic administration within their School. As Head of School for Language & Foundation Studies, you will lead and elevate all our English language preparatory and foundation diploma course offerings—the critical gateway programmes preparing students for degree-level study. Responsibilities include overseeing programme development, quality assurance, staff management, and student success while ensuring alignment with institutional goals. The role also involves fostering partnerships, managing resources, and contributing to the institution’s strategic priorities and governance.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Provide academic leadership to uphold high standards in teaching, learning, and assessment across the School.
• Support the development of inclusive, innovative, and engaging learning experiences that foster student success and satisfaction.
• Contribute to the School’s strategic initiatives, driving continuous improvement in pedagogy and academic practices.

Curriculum & Programme Development

• Oversee regular review and enhancement of programmes to ensure academic quality and industry relevance.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to enrich curriculum design and teaching materials.
• Promote alignment between programme outcomes and institutional goals.

People & Resource Management

• Lead and support academic staff, including performance reviews, workload planning, and mentoring.
• Ensure optimal use of facilities and resources while maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

Student Experience & Support

• Champion student engagement and learning support initiatives to help all students thrive academically.
• Work closely with staff and students to ensure a positive and supportive learning environment.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure academic activities comply with institutional policies and external accreditation requirements.
• Maintain robust quality assurance processes, including academic audits and ongoing enhancement efforts.
• Support regulatory reviews and monitor key metrics such as enrolment, retention, and class sizes to drive sustainable growth.

General Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of cross-departmental initiatives and strategic goals.
• Deliver teaching duties in line with institutional workload expectations, approximately 500 hours annually.
• Undertake additional duties or projects as assigned by senior leadership.

Qualifications

Education

• Master’s Degree in a related discipline. PhD candidates will be given priority consideration.

Minimum Years of Experience

• 10 years’ experience in a multi-cultural setting at a higher educational institution or equivalent.
• A minimum of 3 years managerial experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of curriculum design, academic leadership, and higher education administration.
• Experience with digital learning tools and blended/online delivery modes.
• Proven ability to lead and support academic teams, manage resources, and drive staff development.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and people management skills.
• Ability to support change and continuous improvement within an educational setting.
• Awareness of trends and challenges in the private higher education sector, both locally and globally.

Other Information

• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
• Work Arrangements: Hybrid (Blend of in-office and remote work)
• Location: Wilkie Edge