Academic Director

ELS Language Centers; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid Time Off/Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Disability coverage

Job summary

ELS Language Centers seeks an Academic Director to oversee all academic operations, including staff hiring/training, curriculum development, student testing and scheduling. In the Center Director’s absence, you’ll manage daily operations and senior staff.

The role emphasizes budget adherence and reporting to universities and sponsors. Requirements include a BA with TEFL cert, 2+ years ESL teaching and 1+ year admin experience; MA in TESOL or related field preferred.

Qualifications

• Two years of ESL teaching experience required with classroom management.
• At least one year in an administrator role overseeing teachers.
• Experience in curriculum planning and implementation is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Hire, train, develop and dismiss instructional staff according to policy.
• Develop and implement curriculum and standardized testing and placement.
• Schedule classes, instructors and students; manage budget for instructional materials.
• Provide instruction when needed and supervise academic operations in absence of Center Director.
• Submit required academic reports to universities or sponsors.

Skills

ESL teaching experience

Administrative leadership

Curriculum development

Education

Bachelor's degree + TEFL certificate

MA in TESOL or related field (preferred)

Job description

The Academic Director is responsible for all operations concerning the academic program. Specifically, the Academic Director is responsible for the hiring, training, development and dismissal of instructional staff; the development and implementation of the curriculum; the testing, placement and evaluation of students; and the scheduling of classes. In the absence of the Center Director, the Academic Director is responsible for the operation of the Language Center.

Job Duties:

• Developing and conducting the academic program in such a manner that it meets all standards of ELS Language Centers standardized curriculum.
• Hiring, training and supervising of instructional staff.
• Providing substitute and/or regular classroom instruction.
• Maintaining the instructional budget by staying within instructional-hour guidelines.
• Ordering and maintaining all instructional materials and staying within the academic materials budget.
• Supervising the placement, testing and evaluation of students.
• Scheduling classes, teachers and students.
• Orienting new students to the academic program.
• Submitting required academic reports to universities and/or sponsors.
• Submitting required reports to the Corporate or District Office.
• Maintaining Center operations in the absence of the Center Director.
• Supervising the Assistant Academic Director.
• Assisting with the management of special programs as assigned.
• Performing other duties as necessary or assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Required

• BA from an accredited college/university and TEFL Certificate with equivalent experience required; MA in TESOL, Applied Linguistics or related field preferred.
• A minimum of two years teaching experience in the field of ESL and a minimum of one year of experience as an administrator in charge of teachers and teaching-related responsibilities. Curriculum planning and implementation experience is helpful

Compensation and Benefits:

• The salary for this position is $56,000 annually
• This position will be eligible for health insurance, including options for medical plans, dental, vision, HSA or FSA plans, life insurance and AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off/Leave (Vacation, Paid Holidays and Sick Leave)

While we thank all applicants, only those who are shortlisted will be contacted.

About ELS

Since 1961, when ELS Educational Services opened its first school in Washington DC, ELS has developed a global reputation for delivering top-quality English language programs. ELS now has the most extensive network of on-campus English language programs and University partners, across the USA.

About ILSC Education Group

In early 2022, ILSC Education Group joined forces with ELS Educational Services, bringing together over 100 years of combined experience delivering life-changing learning experiences to international students.

A world leader in language education & vocational training, ILSC Education Group, which opened its first language school in Vancouver, Canada in 1991 and Greystone College in 2002, offers life-changing educational experiences in Canada, Australia, Ireland and India, some of the world’s most attractive and popular English-speaking work and study destinations. Since opening its first school in Vancouver, BC, Canada, ILSC has become a world leader in language and career training and has grown to include 10 incredible locations around the world, in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal, Canada; New Delhi, India; and Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, Australia; and Dublin, Ireland; as well as two online language schools, ILSC HELLO and ILSC ALLO. In 2025, ILSC Education Group launched Greystone Institute, a new Higher Education provider in Brisbane.

Our mission is to provide our global community with transformative learning, living and work experiences by offering the finest language, career and higher education programs.

Our Core Values

PASSION:

To enrich & transform people's lives

INNOVATION:

To evolve through creativity & diversity.

RESPECT:

To treat everyone with compassion & dignity.

COLLABORATION:

To build community & achieve more together

INTEGRITY:

To act responsibly & ethically in everything we do

ELS, ILSC and Greystone College are committed to providing a barrier-free environment and are proud to be Equal Employment Opportunity employers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact HR at [e-mail].

ELS participates in E-Verify to verify employment authorization to work in the U.S. once a job offer has been accepted.