Founding Executive Principal

St Albans School, Gurgaon, India – Founding Executive Principal

This is a uniquely exciting opportunity to be the Founding Executive Principal of a new, premium, 3-18 school for Indian and expatriate children in the modern and vibrant city of Gurgaon.  The school will be the first member of the St Albans School group in Asia and the Middle East and, as such, the Founding Executive Principal will have a hugely important role to play in shaping the new school and supporting those which follow. 

The School is due to open in September 2018, initially with the Junior School and then growing up the age range to reach the target roll of 1200 students within 8 years. 

The School

One of the defining characteristics of St Albans School in the UK is its mission to provide both academic excellence and the development of moral and social responsibility amongst its students.  The school motto ‘Non Nobis Nati’ (born not for ourselves) reflects the principles of the school in promoting service as a balance to privilege.  This must be a particularly important feature of the new international schools which St Albans will set up, starting with St Albans in Gurgaon.

St Albans Gurgaon will not be academically selective, unlike the UK school.  The school will, therefore, give an excellent all-round education to all students, irrespective of their starting point.  The school’s mission will be to ensure that students make good progress in their academic and personal development, to show both increasing responsibility and independence in their own learning, and respect for each other and for the diversity of culture and heritage around them.

The Role

Working closely with colleagues and other agencies, as needed, the Founding Executive Principal will:

• oversee the setting-up and opening of the school;
• recruit the staff and pupils;
• design the curriculum;
• set the tone and shape the school’s ethos;
• ensure high standards are met across its entire operation; and
• be a highly visible and engaging ambassador outside the school and a credible role model within it. 

In due course, the Founding Executive Principal will give key leadership and support to other St Albans Schools in India, working with the appointed Principal of each school to create a group of exceptional international schools.

The Ideal Candidate

It is expected that the Founding Executive Principal will demonstrate a range of qualities, qualifications, skills and experience which will enable him or her to fulfil the job description within the context of this new school.  These might include experience of working happily and successfully in all or most of the following:

• an all-through (K-12) educational setting in a senior leadership position;
• a diverse student and staff body;
• a new school before opening (experience of opening a school or of being an Executive Head will be an advantage but is by no means a requirement);
• Asia;
• an international school;
• a fast-moving environment.

In addition, the successful candidate is expected to have a successful track record of highly-effective teaching, to hold a good university degree and to show evidence of continuous professional development.

The Founding Executive Principal will have excellent interpersonal skills, including communication with a variety of audiences.  A ‘can-do’ attitude is essential, as is a real determination to succeed.  Flexibility and adaptability, resilience and courage, and a lightness of touch and a sense of humour are also desirable.  In addition, the successful candidate will have the ability to combine a long-term vision with careful scrutiny of the day-to-day detail, along with a deep interest in other people and a desire to create a strong team and a sense of unified purpose.

Remuneration and Reward

The salary and benefits package will be attractive.  Fees for the Founding Executive Principal’s children at the school will be free or, if appropriate, an allowance may be given for education at a suitable local school.  This will be discussed at interview.  The Founding Executive Principal will be employed locally by the School’s operating company and will initially be for a three year fixed term.

The Application Process

Full details about the application process can be found in the document entitled ‘Candidate Information’. 

Interested candidates are invited to contact one of the consultants handling this appointment by email or telephone to arrange a confidential discussion:

John Dunston, Senior Advisor
Tel: +44 (0)7796 173895; Email: johndunston@rsacademics.co.uk

Jean Sullivan, Search Consultant
Tel: +44 (0) 7885 879887 Email: jeansullivan@rsacademics.co.uk  

The deadline for receipt of applications is 10h00 (GMT) on 4 April 2017.

Candidates should submit a detailed CV and a short covering letter, explaining their motivation for the role.  Candidates who progress to interview will be required to complete an Application Form.

Please email your CV and letter, as a PDF, to recruitment@rsacademics.co.uk with “St Albans School Founding Executive Principal Application” as the subject of the email.

For the ‘Candidate Information’ and further details please visit www.rsacademics.co.uk

St Albans School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.  The post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) check, satisfactory references and a medical.