Head of University & Careers Office

Head of University & Careers Office

Passionate about guiding students eager to excel at the highest level

Prioritizing quality of life – enjoy 6 periods of “Personal Time” each week

A fully CIS & WASC accredited institution established in 2003

The primary round of recruitment will feature in-person interviews in the UK with the Principal.

Interview locations include:

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

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

Alternative times and locations can be arranged flexibly upon request.

Candidates located outside the UK will proceed through the standard recruitment process, which includes online interviews or on-campus interviews, as applicable.

Position Profile

• Experience in UK/US counselling preferred

• At least 5 years of counselling and management/leadership experience in a related field

• Capability to counsel high-achieving students targeting top universities in the US & UK

• A degree in your area of expertise

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

Specific Responsibilities

Principal Purpose of Position: To oversee university applications, ensuring comprehensive college, career, and summer school guidance and support.

Please note that these duties complement those of a University Counsellor.

1. Advisory role: The Head of University & Careers Counselling Office (HUCO) will lead the delivery of advice to students and parents regarding university and course selections in alignment with college policies.

2. Leadership: HUCO directly manages the University & Careers Counselling Office (UCO) and its staff, including Heads of Regional University Applications.

3. University applications: HUCO oversees the student application process, guiding UCO to provide high-quality counselling consistent with international best practices and SCIE culture. HUCO also ensures effective communication of deadlines and processes to all stakeholders.

4. Integrity: HUCO is responsible for maintaining high professional standards within UCO, particularly regarding confidential references, predicted grades, and communication with universities, ensuring compliance with data protection and privacy policies.

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

6. Competitive Applications: HUCO collaborates with the Heads of Regional Applications and the entire school to design programs that assist student applications to the most competitive institutions in the UK & USA.

7. Whole school program: HUCO will create and lead a comprehensive careers counselling program for the school, including teaching responsibilities, to foster better relationships with students and families prior to university applications.

8. Summer Schools: HUCO ensures that systems are in place to assist students in meeting the criteria for summer school applications.

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

10. Additional tasks as assigned that align with the primary purpose of the position.

These responsibilities will be executed in accordance with the College's guiding principles and with careful consideration of Child Safeguarding.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate for this leadership role will possess the following skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Proven experience leading a diverse team to achieve high-quality outcomes for stakeholders (students, parents, and the broader school community).

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

• Proficiency in effective communication with parents and students, balancing rigorous processes with a supportive approach to achieve positive outcomes.

• Ability to establish and maintain high-level relationships with top universities worldwide.

• Extensive knowledge of the counselling process across various countries and the capacity to leverage this expertise to enhance the counselling experience throughout the school.

• Competence in facilitating communication between senior leadership and the UCO team to develop strategies that enhance UCO effectiveness.

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

Brief Description of SCIE

A UK curriculum high school (Cambridge International AS/AL & IGCSE) providing instruction in English to primarily Chinese students preparing for overseas universities.

We introduced an AP stream in 2025, offering opportunities for teachers interested in AP instruction across various subjects.

The College's mission is to educate students in a challenging, international environment, fostering academic excellence and developing social responsibility, creativity, independence, and enthusiasm to best prepare each student for future opportunities.

• Highly selective – English and Mathematics admissions tests

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

• Over 1800 students, focusing solely 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 dedicated and professional team focused on preparing students for life beyond SCIE. In 2025-2026, our team comprises 19 members: 2 designated 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 the UK via UCAS, with nearly half applying to the US. Many students seek multiple destinations, including Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia. SCIE students have ambitious university goals and are dedicated to 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 seek 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 understanding the Chinese context will be advantageous.

Students

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Highly motivated academic achievers

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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A vast array of extracurricular activities is available, with over 200 clubs run by both staff and students.

Schedule

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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, selecting to finish later on either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (as chosen by the counsellor). On those days, a later start time is available.

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

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

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

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

Benefits

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

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

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Comprehensive international medical coverage (self + 1 dependent).

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Annual flight allowance (self + 1 dependent).

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Access to a dedicated staff gym on campus.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit 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 expect to participate in two rounds of interviews conducted by our Principal Team.

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

For more information about our school, please visit our official website:

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