Upper School Director and IB Diploma Program Coordinator

Kennedy International School

New York (NY)

On-site

USD 140,000 - 160,000

Full time

4 days ago

Be an early applicant

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan

Dental and vision

FSA & 401K

Tuition remission for dependents

Paid time off

Job summary

Kennedy International School is seeking an Upper School Director in New York. You will join the School Leadership Team, guiding a bilingual English/French program and coordinating IB DP activities.

Responsibilities cover leadership, curriculum oversight, student support, and community relations in a diverse, multilingual environment. A rigorous administrative role aligned with IB standards is required.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required for this leadership role.
5–7 years of successful upper school teaching experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and evaluate upper school faculty and staff to foster growth.
Oversee day-to-day operations of the upper school and schedules.
Supervise curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation for high standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Curriculum development

Educational leadership

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

Kennedy International’s Upper School Division (Grades 6-12) welcomes approximately 75 students, many from a francophone background. In Grades 6-8, all students are in a bilingual English/French program which is accredited by the French Ministry of Education. 70% of instructional time is in French and 30% in English. There are two tracks in Grade 9: the French-accredited program that leads to the French Ministry’s Brevet Diploma; and the International pre-IB DP program, taught predominantly in English. In 10th grade, all students enter the pre-IB DP program, completing courses in English and French, in preparation for the IB Diploma, which also offers courses in English and French. Educationally, the school offers a genuinely bilingual/multilingual environment.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Upper School Director is a member of the School Leadership Team, reporting initially to the Associate Head of School, and ultimately to the Head of School. The Upper School Director also collaborates with the Associate Head of School (P-12) who oversees French Ministry compliance, Francophone faculty recruitment and French program requirements. The Upper School Director oversees the work of the Upper School team, comprising of the French-speaking Dean of Students, Administrative Assistant, as well as approximately 20 Anglophone and Francophone faculty members.While fluency in French would be an advantage for this position, it is not an absolute requirement as the working language of the school is English.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026 - Start Date: August 1, 2027

QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field preferred; bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of 5–7 years of successful teaching experience at the upper school level.
Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in educational leadership, department leadership, or school administration.
Demonstrated experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, preferably in an authorized IB World School.
Strong understanding of the IB philosophy, curriculum framework, assessment practices, and academic expectations.
Experience in curriculum planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Proven ability to supervise, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty in maintaining high academic standards.
Strong knowledge of student development, academic advising, classroom management, and student well-being.
Excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, students, parents, and school leadership.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, intercultural understanding, and international-mindedness.
Ability to balance strategic educational leadership with daily academic and administrative responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Upper School Director Responsibilities -

Leadership & management

Team leadership: lead, mentor, and evaluate upper school faculty and staff, fostering professional growth and ensuring a collaborative, positive environment.
Operational oversight: manage day-to-day operations of the upper school, including schedules, events, and communication with stakeholders.
Curriculum and instruction: oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of the upper school curriculum to ensure it meets the highest academic standards while addressing the needs of diverse learners.

Student-centered focus

Academic excellence: promote a culture of academic rigor and innovation, ensuring that students are challenged and supported to reach their full potential.
Student support: collaborate with the Dean of Students and faculty to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of students.
Character education: foster a culture of respect, integrity, and responsibility, integrating character education into the daily life of the school.

Faculty & staff development

Professional development: design and implement professional development opportunities that align with the school's educational goals and priorities.
Performance evaluation: conduct regular observations and evaluations of faculty and staff, providing constructive feedback and support.

Community engagement

Parent relations: serve as a primary point of contact for upper school parents, addressing concerns, communicating effectively, and fostering strong partnerships.
Admissions support: collaborate with the admissions team to evaluate prospective students and ensure a smooth transition for new families.
Community building: organize and participate in events, fostering a strong sense of community among students, parents, faculty, and staff.

Administrative responsibilities

Policy development and implementation: develop, enforce, and review policies and procedures to ensure a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment.
Data analysis: use data to assess student performance, inform decision-making, and track progress toward goals.
Collaboration with leadership team: work closely with the Head of School and other division heads to ensure alignment and coherence across all divisions.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Coordinator Responsibilities -

Oversee curriculum developments within the IBDP
Ensure that all teachers are suitably qualified and trained in accordance with IB requirements
Organize internal assessment according to the IBDP criteria
Record all IBDP-related communication, forms, documents, and reports
Ensure that students are registered for examinations
Ensure appropriate conduct of examinations (written and oral), including establishing examination schedule, training invigilators, and preparing exam materials
Lead promotion and development of the IBDP both within and outside the School
Oversee the five-year program authorization renewal process (when applicable)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

This is a full time, exempt position with a salary range of $140,000 - $160,000 annually

We offer a competitive package for full-time employee which includes: