Chief Academic Officer

Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Christel House South Africa seeks a Chief Academic Officer to drive the strategic academic vision across its network. This role involves leadership in curriculum design, instructional quality, and fostering a culture of excellence in teaching. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in educational leadership and a strong commitment to holistic development in under-resourced communities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in senior educational leadership.
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design and academic system management.
• Strong understanding of educational data and improvement processes.

Responsibilities

• Establish and execute strategic academic vision across Christel House South Africa.
• Lead curriculum development and pedagogical strategies.
• Provide mentorship to principals and instructional leaders.

Skills

Curriculum Design

Instructional Practices

Data Analysis

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Master’s in Education or Educational Leadership

Job description

Are you eager to drive significant change in the educational and holistic well-being of children from under-resourced communities in South Africa?

Christel House South Africa is a non-profit school which provides no-fee scholarships to students from some of Cape Town’s most under-resourced neighbourhoods and supports them for 19 years (Grade RR to Grade 12 and five years post-matric) through character-based and career-focused education.

Despite facing significant challenges, our students excel. We apply Trauma informed practices, enabling a positive learning environment. We have an impressive 99% matric pass rate since inception and 95% of our alumni are studying, working or doing both.

Key aspects of Christel House’s model include enablers of education in the form of daily transport to school and back, professional health care, nutritious meals, psychosocial counselling, family assistance and college and career planning and support. Christel House manages nine schools around the world of which the centre in Cape Town, established in 2001, is the only centre in Africa.

Join our dedicated team and be part of a global movement.

Our school offers a unique educational environment where technology, innovation, and passion for teaching merge to create a transformative learning experience.

About the position:

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO), is responsible for establishing and executing the strategic academic vision across Christel House South Africa. The CAO develops and implements comprehensive academic strategies, oversees curriculum alignment and selection processes, and builds the systems and structures that enable high-quality instruction network-wide.

The CAO provides leadership to principals and instructional leaders, creating a shared culture of innovation, mentorship and ethical leadership at CHSA.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Academic Systems Development and Oversight.
• Foster a culture of excellence and collective efficacy in teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with the CEO to align instructional strategies with Christel House’s holistic educational mission.
• Ensure the implementation of consistent high quality instructional vision and practices, positive behaviour support systems and strong family engagement frameworks.
• Lead all aspects of academic programming including curriculum, pedagogy, assessments, and instructional quality assurance.
• Collaboratively design and implement systems to measure and monitor leaner achievement and learning outcomes.
• Evaluate and improve organizational structures supporting curriculum and instruction.
• Analyze performance trends through data (observations, assessments, surveys) to inform strategic interventions across the network.
• Provide direct supervision and mentorship to school Principals.
• Plan, Lead and Facilitate professional development programmes for school leaders, instructional staff, and learner support teams.
• Contribute to orientation and mentoring programs for new teaching staff across the network.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s in Education or Educational Leadership) required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in senior educational leadership role or similar roles.
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design, instructional practices, and academic system management.
• Proven experience in leading academic teams and achieving shared outcomes.
• Senior management experience with a record of strategic contributions to organizational goals.
• Strong understanding of educational data, analysis, and continuous improvement processes.
• Ethical data-driven practices and decision-making
• Interpersonal Effectiveness and Teamwork
• Strategic Planning & Communication across all occupational levels
• Devotion , Commitment and Values driven
• Change Management and Talent Management
• Innovation and Problem Solving
• Visionary Leadership and sound judgment

Application Process: Closing Date for Applications is 05 August 2025

Please send your CV, a cover letter outlining your Educational Philosophy and evidence of your credentials to The CEO at [e-mail] . Ensure the subject line reads “Chief Academic Officer position”.

Christel House champions equality and diversity. Appointment rights are reserved.

Closing Date

05/08/2025

Ottery, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa