Director

Mission: Learning to Build Community. Copenhagen International School will develop the potential of each student by offering educational excellence in a stimulating environment of cultural diversity and mutual respect.

Vision: Educating champions of a just and sustainable world.

Copenhagen International School is seeking an outstanding international school administrator to lead the school community into the next exciting phase of its growth and development beginning in August 2019. Established 54 years ago, Copenhagen International School has long been considered a premier international school in Scandinavia, Europe and the world.

THE SCHOOL

Copenhagen International School is a non-profit day school offering a comprehensive education programme for students from preschool through high school. Currently, the school has approximately 975 students from 84 countries with 13% from the USA, 7% from the UK, 6% from The Netherlands, 4% from India and 15% from Denmark.

In 2017, Copenhagen International School moved into a new state of the art purpose-designed building with world class teaching and learning facilities. We are looking to grow to 1050 students by 2019, and to reach 1150 students by 2025.  

The curriculum

As one of the five founders of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, Copenhagen International School has been accredited by the Council of International Schools since 1973. The school is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in the U.S. Copenhagen International School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the IB Primary Years Programme, IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme and is committed to excellence in the education and the personal growth of each student.

A strong academic programme, centered around the traditional core disciplines, prepares students for entrance into colleges, universities, or other institutions providing tertiary education and training. More than 90% of the graduating seniors enter universities and institutions of higher learning worldwide.

We are a highly inclusive school, providing courses and learning support services to address the needs of a student body diverse in educational background and ability. Through play, study, and the relationships they form, students learn to appreciate their strengths and to respect differences rather than fear them. This experience extends outside the classroom and equips students for success and global citizenship beyond school. 

Location and campus

Students attending Copenhagen International School enjoy living in Scandinavia, and in or near the city of Copenhagen. It is consistently named as one of the top 10 best places to live in the world and it rated in the top 3 for the World Happiness Report published by the UN.

The school is in a high tech 26,000 m² purpose-built campus completed in 2017 that showcases sustainable practices. It is situated in the Nordhavn area of Copenhagen, which used to be the city’s port area and is being redeveloped for 21st century use. The new campus has a waterfront location, with stunning views in all directions. 

THE POSITION

The new Director, in collaboration with the rest of the school community, will be responsible for growing the school to reach its capacity, building upon the school’s rich heritage and culture while charting a new course that will take Copenhagen International School confidently into the future.

Copenhagen International School is subsequently seeking a successful leader who possesses the following qualifications and qualities:

• An instructional leader who can deliver excellence in education in a highly diverse, inclusive school environment. IB experience preferred but not essential.
• A strategic thinker who can grow our school community to optimize the use of our world-leading educational facilities through increasing student numbers, prioritizing excellence in education, building fundraising competencies to help brand Copenhagen International School as the school of choice for both expats coming to Denmark and other families who want to give their children an international education.
• A results-focused organizer and manager who can prioritize efficiently, motivate and lead a strong faculty and foster the professional growth and development of our faculty to achieve professional development excellence. Experience of working in a unionized environment with collective bargaining considered an advantage.
• A dedicated and visible ambassador of the school’s core values: Curious, Resourceful, Respectful and Responsible, providing a high quality, varied program for a diverse student population.
• A natural communicator and listener, who understands the importance of getting and keeping all stakeholders on board, both within the school and the broader community that Copenhagen International School inhabits.
• A global citizen, preferably with previous international experience and hands-on knowledge of the northern European culture.
• A qualified teaching professional (Gymnasium/ High school level).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

The appointment will be for 3 years with ongoing two-year renewals with the agreement of both parties. The Board's intention is to appoint a new Director by late 2018 to commence at the start of the school year 2019-2020. The salary is governed by the Ministry of Education of Denmark.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

CIS is delighted to announce that The Board of Directors of Copenhagen International School has appointed CIS, represented by Pauline O’Brien in consultation and with support of the CIS Leadership and the School Support & Evaluation Team, to lead the search for a Director.

Leaders who are interested in this opportunity, should email their CV and application letter to: leadershipsearch@cois.org.

Candidates who already have an up-to-date leadership portfolio with CIS, should submit a cover letter of application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

7th December 2018.

If the school receives an outstanding application, the Selection Committee reserves the right to make an appointment before the closing date. The review of files will begin as soon as applications are received. Finalists will be invited to Copenhagen for final interview to meet with the Search Committee, Board and constituent groups of the school community, with the intention of making an appointment shortly thereafter.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Further information about the school may be found at: www.cis.dk

For information about Copenhagen:

• Life in Copenhagen
• Living and Working in Copenhagen