Director of Studies

EF Education First; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four weeks paid vacation

Ten paid holidays

401(k) company match

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

FSAs and well-being benefits

Job summary

EF Honolulu is seeking a Director of Studies to lead the academic program, develop a small teaching team and an Academic Coordinator, and ensure high quality teaching and student experience.

The ideal candidate guides and mentors staff, drives innovative teaching practices, and collaborates with other departments to deliver a memorable learning journey for students. On-Island candidates preferred; visa sponsorship and relocation are not available.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership and people-management skills.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, and developing educators.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and inspire a small teaching team and Academic Coordinator.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing academic culture.
• Coach and motivate educators to maintain high teaching standards.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop staff; manage academic budget priorities.
• Ensure delivery of EF curriculum with consistency and real-world learning.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Coaching & mentoring

Recruitment & onboarding

International education

Communication

Budget oversight

Job description

Reports to: School Director (local) and Director of Academic Management, North America (regional)

EF Honolulu is looking for an experienced leader to oversee the academic program at our school in Honolulu. The Director of Studies is responsible for leading the academic department, including managing and developing a small team of teachers and an Academic Coordinator, maintaining academic quality, coordinating classes, and overseeing the academic components of the school budget.

Our Honolulu school is a close-knit campus with a maximum of approximately 250 students during peak seasons. We are looking for a leader who is passionate about developing people, building a positive team culture, and delivering an exceptional student experience. The Director of Studies plays an important role in shaping an engaging academic journey by encouraging innovative teaching practices, meaningful projects, and real-world learning experiences that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and make learning memorable.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader with the ability to guide, inspire, and develop their team. This person enjoys coaching and mentoring others, effectively solves problems, does not subscribe to a "that's not my job" attitude, and has ambitions to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a highly customer service-focused school. They will work collaboratively with other departments and possess excellent communication, delegation, and leadership skills with a proven background in international education.

This role does not meet the threshold for VISA sponsorship and nor is there a relocation assistance package available to the chosen candidate. On-Island candidates preferred.

Requirements

• Lead, manage, develop, and inspire a small teaching team and Academic Coordinator while fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and high-performing academic culture.
• Proven ability to coach, mentor, and motivate educators to achieve high standards of teaching excellence.
• Proven track record in effective recruitment, onboarding, and staff development.
• Relentless focus on customer service, student experience, and academic quality.
• Global and/or international work experience preferred.
• A model of professionalism, accountability, and quality.
• Ensures that the EF in-house curriculum and materials are delivered with consistency while empowering teachers to bring lessons to life through creativity, project-based learning, and engaging real-world experiences.
• Ensures that all academic department policies and procedures are consistently followed.
• Maintains the academic integrity and quality standards of the school.
• Organizes placement testing and places students in appropriate levels.
• Counsels individual students regarding academic performance.
• Tracks students with excessive absences and initiates Academic Warning Letters.
• Observes teachers and conducts follow-up coaching meetings.
• Provides written, formal evaluations of observations.
• Delivers ongoing professional guidance and support.
• Encourages teachers to develop engaging projects, experiential learning opportunities, and innovative classroom practices that enhance student learning and create memorable experiences.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage difficult situations and remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent cross-cultural communication, people management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong, confident decision-maker who is highly motivated, positive, and empathetic.
• Supervises book inventory and book ordering.
• Conducts monthly inventory and maintains the library of class sets in the teachers' room.
• Assigns administrative duties to teaching staff as required.
• Works with the School Director to manage academic staffing, class size averages, and other academic budget considerations.
• Works collaboratively with other departments to create engaging academic experiences that enhance student learning and contribute to an exceptional overall student experience.
• Other tasks as assigned by the School Director.

In addition, you can expect

• Commitment to professional growth: robust monthly calendar of trainings and workshops.
• Four weeks paid vacation your first year, ten paid holidays, and two floating holidays.
• Exciting business travel opportunities.
• 25% company match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Market-leading medical, dental and vision coverage, along with options for life and disability insurance, legal and pet insurance.
• Dependent care, healthcare and commuter Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs).
• Access to fertility care and family-building support.
• Wellness benefits including a yearly fitness reimbursement.
• Frequent social and learning events, including access to our employee-run resource groups.
• Robust Employee Assistance Program.
• Tenure-based sabbatical eligibility.
• EF Product Discounts (discounts on travel, international language schools, Au Pair program and more).
• Discounts at local venues and businesses.
• Compensation - Salary range for this role is $60k - $65k based on experience.

About EF Language Abroad

At EF Language Abroad, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we've helped millions of students discover new places, embrace diverse cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. We're dedicated to our mission of opening the world through education, harnessing the power of language learning to deepen the connection between people across the globe.

We offer immersive short-term and long-term language courses and programs across different languages in the countries where they're spoken. Through blending classroom-based lessons with interactive exercises and real-world practice, our courses bring you to the heart of the language. Together, our global staff help students from around the world develop the language skills they need to achieve their dreams.

EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All positions are subject to a criminal background and and/or reference checks, as applicable.

About Us

Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures.

For over half a century we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.

You’ll find our offices and schools located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it’s what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference.

Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World’s Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.

About the Team

At EF Language Abroad, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, we've helped millions of students discover new places, embrace diverse cultures, and gain fresh perspectives. We're dedicated to our mission of opening the world through education, harnessing the power of language learning to deepen the connection between people across the globe.

We offer immersive short-term and long-term language courses and programs across different languages in the countries where they’re spoken. Through blending classroom-based lessons with interactive exercises and real-world practice, our courses bring you to the heart of the language. Together, our global staff help students from around the world develop the language skills they need to achieve their dreams.

EF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All positions are subject to a criminal background and/or reference checks, as applicable.