Deputy Head of School

IES Blouberg International School; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Blouberg International School seeks a Deputy Head of School to lead daily operations while driving the school’s mission forward. This role is critical during a period of growth and involves collaboration with a skilled leadership team to shape strategic goals and ensure academic excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in an academic or educational setting, managing teams.
• Familiarity with the Cambridge Curriculum preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to school values.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations and academic programs.
• Engage with staff, students, and parents effectively.
• Lead meetings and guide strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership Excellence

Communication

Operational Excellence

Problem-Solving

Cultural Stewardship

Education

Master's degree or higher in Education, Leadership, or related field

Tools

Advanced technologies

AI for educational improvements

Apple Apps for Education

Job description

Blouberg International School is seeking a Deputy Head of School to join our team.

This critical leadership role will oversee day-to-day operations in conjunction with the Head of School while driving the School's mission forward during a time of significant growth and opportunity. Working closely with a highly skilled leadership team, the Deputy Head will provide direction and oversight across key academic and operational areas. The Deputy Head of School will report directly to the Head of School, playing a key role in shaping the school's long-term vision and strategic goals.

Key Competencies:

• Leadership Excellence: Proven ability to lead diverse teams with vision and clarity, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Relational Intelligence: Strong interpersonal skills, able to connect meaningfully with students, parents, faculty, and staff, ensuring that all constituents feel heard, supported, and valued.
• Cultural Stewardship: Expertise in shaping and nurturing a vibrant, inclusive, and high-performance culture that reflects the values and mission of the School.
• Operational Excellence: Highly skilled in overseeing academic and operational functions, ensuring seamless execution of daily activities while supporting the long-term goals of the school.
• Faculty Development: Experience in mentoring and supporting faculty, fostering their professional growth and effectiveness, while consistently prioritizing student-centered outcomes.
• Strategic Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, ensuring clarity, transparency, and engagement across all school stakeholders.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Ability to approach challenges with creativity and strategic thinking, delivering actionable solutions that drive results and overcome obstacles.
• Conflict Resolution: Expert in navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, resolving conflicts constructively, and leveraging these experiences to strengthen relationships and foster a more resilient, collaborative environment.
• Strong Work Ethic: A commitment to excellence, responsibility, and sustained effort in achieving school goals and objectives. Demonstrates resilience in managing workload, remaining focused under pressure, and leading by example.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: In conjunction with the Head of School, serve as a primary point of contact for parents and key community stakeholders, ensuring clear, timely, and personalized communication regarding school activities, updates, and concerns.
• Academic Excellence: Oversee the academic program in each phase in coordination with the Cambridge Examination Officer coordinators.
• Student Life: Ensure that student life on campus is rich, rewarding, fun, and consistent with the School’s mission and core values by implementing intentional programming to enhance the student experience.
• Campus Presence and Engagement: Maintain a visible and accessible presence across campus by attending student events, athletic competitions, and performances to demonstrate leadership and engagement with the school community.
• Executive Leadership & Decision Making: Lead administrative meetings in the absence of the Head of School, ensuring sound decision-making and strategic guidance that drives the school's long-term success.
• Oversight of Key Departments: Assist with leadership and support to key departments, including Academics, Sport, Arts & Culture, the extra mural and aftercare program, ensuring alignment with the School's mission and vision.
• Cultivate School Culture: In collaboration with the Head of School, shape and monitor the campus culture, utilizing surveys and initiatives to assess and enhance faculty and student satisfaction and engagement.

Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic or educational setting, with demonstrated success in managing teams and driving organizational performance.
• Experience with the Cambridge Curriculum or a keen interest in learning all aspects regarding the Cambridge Curriculum.
• Experience as a curricular leader, facilitating connections across departments.
• Master's degree or higher in Education, Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Exceptional ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and with impact, both in writing and verbally, to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Proficient in using advanced technologies, particularly in leveraging AI for educational and operational improvements and Apple Apps for Education.
• Demonstrates a genuine interest in actively participating in the wider community beyond regular school hours.
• Big-picture thinker with a keen eye for detail.
• Exhibits a high level of professionalism, respectful collaboration, and exemplary personal behaviour both on and off campus.
• Possesses the discretion, communication skills, and interpersonal awareness to engage positively with all members of the school community.
• Capable of navigating the dynamic nature of a school setting with flexibility and a readiness to adjust as circumstances evolve.
• Shows passion and dedication to supporting the School’s mission and vision.
• A style characterized by curiosity, warmth, consistency, and optimism.
• Preferred: Bilingual or multilingual abilities.