Head of University & Careers Office

Head of University & Careers Office

Are you dedicated to helping students achieve their highest potential?

Emphasizing a balanced lifestyle – enjoy 6 periods of “Personal Time” weekly.

We are a fully accredited institution by CIS & WASC, established in 2003.

The initial recruitment phase will include in-person interviews in the UK with the Principal.

Interview locations are as follows:

• London – Saturday and Sunday, 28 February–1 March 2026

• Manchester – Saturday and Sunday, 7–8 March 2026

Flexible times and locations can be arranged upon request.

Candidates residing outside the UK will follow the standard recruitment process, which involves online interviews or, if applicable, on-campus interviews.

Position Profile

• Experience in UK/US counselling is preferred.

• A minimum of 5 years of counselling and management/leadership experience in a relevant field.

• Ability to counsel high-achieving students aiming for top universities in the US & UK.

• A degree in your field of expertise.

• College Counselling qualifications (US college counselling certification & British Council certification or equivalent).

Specific Responsibilities

The primary goal of this position is to manage university applications while providing thorough college, career, and summer school guidance and support.

Please note that these responsibilities complement the role of a University Counsellor.

1. Advisory Role: The Head of University & Careers Counselling Office (HUCO) will lead the advisory efforts for students and parents regarding university and course selections in accordance with college policies.

2. Leadership: HUCO will directly supervise the University & Careers Counselling Office (UCO) and its staff, which includes Heads of Regional University Applications.

3. University Applications: HUCO oversees the student application process, guiding UCO to deliver high-quality counselling that aligns with international best practices and the SCIE culture. HUCO will also ensure that all stakeholders are well-informed about deadlines and procedures.

4. Integrity: HUCO is tasked with upholding the highest professional standards within UCO, especially concerning confidential references, predicted grades, and communication with universities, ensuring compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.

5. Networking: HUCO directs UCO to develop relationships with university admissions offices and advocate for students as necessary, which includes ensuring departmental representation at international admissions conferences and coordinating visits from admissions officers.

6. Competitive Applications: HUCO collaborates with the Heads of Regional Applications and the broader school community to create programs that support student applications to the most competitive institutions in the UK and USA.

7. Whole School Program: HUCO will develop and lead a comprehensive careers counselling program for the school, which includes teaching responsibilities to enhance relationships with students and families prior to university applications.

8. Summer Schools: HUCO will ensure that systems are established to assist students in fulfilling the criteria for summer school applications.

9. As part of UCO management, this role may involve urgent communications and actions during holiday periods.

10. Additional responsibilities as assigned that align with the main purpose of the position.

These duties will be carried out in accordance with the College's guiding principles and with careful regard for Child Safeguarding.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate for this leadership position will demonstrate the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Proven ability to lead a diverse team to achieve high-quality outcomes for stakeholders (students, parents, and the wider school community).

• Familiarity with IGCSE/A-Level and AP curricula relevant to university counselling.

• Strong communication skills with parents and students, balancing rigorous processes with a supportive approach to achieve favorable outcomes.

• Capacity to build and maintain high-level relationships with prestigious universities worldwide.

• In-depth understanding of the counselling process across different countries and the ability to utilize this expertise to enhance the counselling experience throughout the school.

• Skill in facilitating communication between senior leadership and the UCO team to formulate strategies that improve UCO effectiveness.

• Teaching capability and the ability to lead instructional activities for students across the school to enhance understanding of universities, courses, and application processes.

Brief Description of SCIE

SCIE is a UK curriculum high school (Cambridge International AS/AL & IGCSE) delivering education in English to mainly Chinese students preparing for overseas universities.

In 2025, we introduced an AP stream, providing opportunities for teachers interested in AP instruction across diverse subjects.

The mission of the College is to educate students within a challenging, international environment, promoting academic excellence and nurturing social responsibility, creativity, independence, and enthusiasm to prepare each student for future opportunities.

• Highly selective – English and Mathematics admissions tests.

• Instruction and communication are conducted in English, with students achieving first-language proficiency, primarily studying AS/AL English language or literature in A1/A2.

• Over 1800 students, solely focused on high school – UK Key Stages 4 & 5.

• Accreditation – Fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) & WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the US) and regional members of FOBISIA & EARCOS.

• Examinations – AS/AL, IGCSE (Cambridge International and AQA), and AP (College Board).

• Day & boarding school – teachers are not involved in boarding responsibilities or evening/night duties.

• Established in 2003.

University and Careers Office Introduction:

The University and Careers Office (UCO) is a committed professional team focused on preparing students for life beyond SCIE. For the 2025-2026 academic year, our team consists of 19 members: 2 UCO secretaries and 17 counsellors, including the Head of UCO, Head of Regional University Applications (North America), and Head of Regional University Applications (UK, Europe, and Asia/Australia).

At SCIE, over 70% of our students apply to UK universities through UCAS, with nearly half aiming for the US. Many students explore multiple destinations, including Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia. SCIE students have ambitious university aspirations, achieving impressive admissions results, including G5s in the UK and Ivy League and other competitive US and international universities. With 44 Oxbridge offers in 2025 and an average of 30 per year since 2019, SCIE consistently ranks first in China for Oxbridge admissions. According to the Telegraph, from 2018 to 2024, SCIE sent the highest number of students to Imperial College London (UK) compared to all schools, including UK institutions. The enthusiasm, commitment, and caliber of our students make them a pleasure to work with in the University and Careers Office.

As a University Counsellor, you will guide and counsel a maximum caseload of 38 A2 (Y 12-13) students through their applications while also engaging with all three year groups in their university exploration and planning. Most of your work will involve one-on-one university counselling with G1s, A1s, and A2s, but you will also be expected to teach G-level enrichment classes and A1 university preparation sessions.

We are looking for candidates with experience in supporting students from a highly selective educational background while adhering to the British curriculum and aspiring to prestigious overseas universities. Expertise in facilitating university preparation sessions and an understanding of the Chinese context will be advantageous.

Students

•
Highly motivated academic achievers.

•
Students complete IGCSE exams at the end of G2, progressing to 5/6 subjects at AS and 4/5 at A Level (including English) or following an AP curriculum.

•
Typical average international exam results are grades A/A* across the school.

•
In the 2025 cohort, 41 Oxbridge offers were made, with over 90% of UK applicants receiving offers from top 10 universities.

•
US university offers include institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Chicago, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Columbia, and Cornell.

•
Students excel across various subjects, including Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, Sciences, and Mathematics.

•
Class sizes are capped at 26 for IGCSE and 24 for AS/A Level.

•
A wide range of extracurricular activities is available, with over 200 clubs run by both staff and students.

Schedule

•
Working week: Monday – Friday 07:50 – 16:40 (starting at 07:30 on Mondays and finishing early at 15:00 on Fridays). Each Counsellor is expected to work one “late day” per week, choosing to finish later on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (as preferred). On those days, a later start time is available.

•
Personal time – 6 periods per week are allocated in the timetable when you are not required to be on campus.

•
Extra-Curricular Activity – 1 hour per week of ECA after school (16:30 – 17:30).

•
CPD – A diverse range of professional development opportunities is offered, both online and face-to-face.

•
Holidays – 1 week for October China National Day, 2 weeks for Christmas, 3 weeks for Chinese New Year, in addition to Chinese public holidays and summer holiday from mid-June to early August.

Benefits

•
A published fixed salary scale (reviewed annually) based on years of teaching experience and annual progression at SCIE.

•
School-provided accommodation (Expat apartments adjacent to campus).

•
Comprehensive international medical coverage (self + 1 dependent).

•
Annual flight allowance (self + 1 dependent).

•
Access to a dedicated staff gym on campus.

Application Process:

To apply, please send a letter along with your CV to jobs@scie.com.cn.

The deadline for applications for the first round of recruitment is 30th January 2026, with online or onsite interviews scheduled for February. Candidates can anticipate participating in two rounds of interviews conducted by our Principal Team.

SCIE is committed to fostering a safe environment for students. All applicants must adhere to our child-protection guidelines throughout the application process. References will be requested, including direct contact with your current or most recent employer for a safeguarding reference check and to confirm clearance from contractual commitments. Please note that no offer will be made until the background check has been successfully completed.

For further details about our school, please visit our official website:

https://www.scie.com.cn/