Founding Head

King’s College School Hangzhou is the second new school development project in China initiated through partnership between the prestigious King’s College School, Wimbledon and the highly successful Chinese education management group, Dipont Education.  

Construction has started on a greenfield, lakeside site in the Yuhang district of Hangzhou and will be completed in March 2018 with the school opening in September 2018. The campus has been designed by world-leading architects in educational facility design and it will, at capacity, cater for 3,195 Chinese and expatriate students from Early Years through to Grade 12. Hangzhou, with a population of over 9 million people, is the capital of Zhejiang province and an important city in China, recognised for its history, prosperity and beautiful natural scenery. It will host the G-20 summit in September 2016 and the Asian Games in 2022. Shanghai can be accessed in 1 hour by high speed train.

Unique in its concept, we are seeking to appoint a world-class education professional to lead the school as a model for high quality education provision within China and beyond. We are operating in historic times in educational development in China and this project has the opportunity to set the standards in independent school development.
 
Consisting of four distinct sections, there will be a shared pedagogical approach, enabling Chinese and expatriate students to benefit enormously from the cross-cultural exposure. The school design presents the campus as a place that responds to its local context and a global education culture. The curriculum design will be structured to allow cooperation and integration whilst preserving the compulsory aspects of both Chinese and international programmes.

About the role

Accountable to the Board of Governors, the Founding Head will assume overall responsibility for the management of all personnel and the establishment of harmonious and collaborative working practices throughout the campus. This will be achieved through:

• Visionary leadership and the effective management of a senior leadership team comprising of heads for each educational section and various pastoral, boarding and administrative staff.
• Fostering an ongoing culture of professional development for both Chinese and expatriate educators throughout the campus.
• Working closely with the Chinese Executive Principal in order to respond effectively to Chinese cultural expectations and to ensure all government requirements are fulfilled.
• Respecting the high standards achieved by King’s College School, Wimbledon and seeking to emulate its success within King’s College School Hangzhou. 

This exciting, challenging and high level role commands a very attractive salary and benefits package commensurate with a position of this seniority. In addition to a highly competitive salary, benefits include: high quality housing, business class flights, bonus scheme and medical insurance for employee plus dependents. Full tuition support will be provided for any successful applicant with school age children. The position will be offered on an initial three-year contract term with annual renewal thereafter.

Applications are invited from candidates with:

• Significant previous school leadership experience and the vision to drive this project.
• The ability to view the campus as one entity and be highly visible and accessible in his/her management style.
• Excellent professional presence and well developed people skills.
• The ability to innovate and inspire.
• A passion for international educational development and evidence of effective project delivery.

Application process:

To submit an application for this prestigious post, please email a CV and covering letter to Vanessa Cumbers, Director, CRS Education: vanessa@crs-edu.com or please contact Ms Cumbers for an initial informal and confidential discussion.

First-round interviews will be conducted via Skype or in person where feasible. Final interviews for shortlisted candidates and site visits will be held in China between the 8th-10th June 2016 and the 26th-28th June 2016.