Head of University & Careers Office

The Role

WhatSchool is supporting the appointment of a Head of University & Careers Office to join a school based in China.

Enjoy supporting students who want to learn at the highest level.

Quality of life matters – 6 periods of “Personal Time” per week.

Fully CIS & WASC accredited school founded in 2003.

Key Responsibilities

Principal Purpose of Position: To manage applications to all universities, to ensure provision of college, careers and summer school advice and support.

Please note that these responsibilities are in addition to those of a University Counsellor.

• Advisory role: In line with college policies the Head of University & Careers Counselling Office (HUCO) leads on all aspects of the dissemination of advice to parents and students concerning which universities and courses to choose.
• Leadership: HUCO is the direct line manager for the University & Careers Counselling Office (UCO) and all its employees including the Heads of Regional University Applications.
• University applications: HUCO has oversight of the entire student application process, and leads UCO to ensure high quality counselling is provided in line with international best practice and SCIE culture. HUCO also ensures that timely communication procedures are in place and that all stakeholders are aware of deadlines and processes.
• Integrity: HUCO is responsible for ensuring that the highest standards of professional conduct are maintained by UCO when dealing with confidential references, predicted grades and all correspondence between the College and universities. HUCO ensures all UCO staff maintain data protection and privacy in line with college policies.
• Networking: HUCO leads UCO to develop and maintain links with university admissions offices and to advocate on behalf of students as necessary. This includes ensuring departmental attendance at international admissions conferences and organising visits from admissions officers to the college.
• Competitive Applications: The HUCO will work with the Heads of Regional Applications and the whole school to develop programs which support student applications to the most competitive destinations in the UK & USA.
• Whole school program: The HUCO will develop and lead the whole school careers counselling programme, including teaching, to help develop better relationships with students and families before university applications.
• Summer Schools: HUCO is responsible for ensuring that systems are in place which enable students to meet the requirements for summer school applications.
• As a member of UCO management, this role may require urgent communication and action during a normal holiday period.
• Any other allocated tasks consistent with the principal purpose of the position.

These responsibilities will be carried out in accordance with the guiding statements of the College and with due consideration of Child Safeguarding.

Qualifications

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

• Experience of leading a diverse team of individuals to create high quality outcomes for their stakeholders (students, parents and the wider school).
• Experience of IGCSE/A-Level and AP curricula as they relate to counselling for university entry.
• Experience of communicating effectively with parents and students by balancing the need for rigorous process with being positive in ensuring good outcomes for students.
• Ability to develop and maintain high-level relationships at top universities around the world.
• In-depth knowledge of the counselling process for multiple countries and the ability to leverage this knowledge to improve the counselling process across the school.
• Ability to communicate effectively between senior leadership and the UCO team to help develop strategies and actions which will improve the effectiveness of the UCO.
• Ability to teach and to lead teaching of groups of students across the school to develop knowledge of universities, courses and application processes.

What We Offer

The school offers a UK curriculum high school (Cambridge International AS/AL & IGCSE) teaching through the medium of English to mainly Chinese students preparing for overseas universities.

The mission of the College is to educate Students in a Challenging, International Environment leading to academic achievement at the highest level, and to develop Social responsibility, Creativity, Independence and Enthusiasm, providing each student with the best preparation for future opportunities.

• Highly selective – English and Mathematics admissions tests.
• Medium of instruction & communication – AS/AL English, with students functioning at first language level, mostly studying AS/AL English language or literature in A1/A2.
• 1800+ students, High school only – UK Key Stages 4 & 5.
• Accreditation – Fully accredited by Council of International Schools (CIS) & WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges in 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 facility nor have evening or night duties.
• Founded in 2003.

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