Principal

It is seldom that an opportunity arises to lead an established international school in the German Capital of Berlin. Following the appointment of Mr. Michael Cunningham to the position of Director, Berlin International School (B.I.S.) seeks its next Secondary Principal. Mr. Cunningham has led B.I.S. Secondary since 2008 and has positioned it well for the next, exciting stage of its development.

Stiftung Private Kant-Schulen gGmbH (SPKS), which operates B.I.S., is pleased to announce the search for Mr. Cunningham’s successor as Secondary Principal.

History

SPKS, established in 1959, was one of the first organizations to pioneer all-day educational opportunities in Berlin. In 1998, when Germany’s capital moved to Berlin from Bonn, it founded B.I.S. The goal, as stated at the time, “was to offer a future oriented education with German and international exams.” Today B.I.S. is an IB World School with over 70 nationalities represented in the student body. It facilitates the IBPYP in Grades 1-5, and the IBDP in Grades 11-12. IGCSE examinations are taken at the end of Grade 10, and students complete the German BBR exam in Grade 9, and the MSA exam in Grade 10. Total enrollment is approximately 820, with 460 of these students learning in B.I.S. Secondary.

SPKS Campus Dahlem, where B.I.S. is located, is also home to Kita International. Here students can be introduced to an international, bilingual education from the age of 3. Campus Dahlem is situated in the leafy Berlin district of Wilmersdorf. B.I.S. Secondary is housed in a historic building, formally a Brandenburg state customs office.

B.I.S. Mission and Guiding Statements

The Role

B.I.S. seeks a Secondary Principal with an outstanding academic record and proven leadership qualities who can guide the Secondary section of B.I.S. over the next several years, which will involve pioneering a uniquely B.I.S. international 6-10 curriculum.

Job Description

The Secondary Principal is supported by the Secondary Assistant, and a leadership team that includes an Assistant Principal (organizational and alignment with German curriculum), and two Section Leaders - one for Grades 6-10 and one for Grades 11-12 - who lead the implementation of the curriculum.

Desired Attributes

• A motivator who can start and finish projects Someone with experience building successful teams
• Asks the right questions rather than providing the right answers (a coaching mentality)
• A creative problem-solver
• Can do, will succeed attitude
• Healthy work-life balance
• Strong teaching and learning background An interest in, and a sense of care for, young people and colleagues
• A sense of humour
• An individual able to build partnerships with parents and the extended community
• Understanding of bilingual education
• Competent English and German speaker - or at least has some familiarity with the German education system, culture, etc.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working as part of a larger educational organization
• Cares about people and their wellbeing Able to integrate IT to support teaching, learning, and communication

Education and Experience

• A teaching and/or educational leadership degree
• Successful leadership experience, preferably in an international or international school setting
• Experience as a principal or section leader (rising middle leaders are encouraged to apply)
• Familiarity with the programmes of the IB, and the IGCSE exam system
• Highly desirable - experience in Germany or a German speaking country

Start Date

The search will begin in the summer of 2021 with the goal of appointing for either a February 2022 or August 2022 start. We reserve the right to appoint and start the position in a more timely manner should the ideal candidate become available.

Application Process

Please submit the below as one pdf file with the subject; “B.I.S. Secondary Principal Application” - or a formal letter via post - not exceeding 5-pages to:

recruitment_secondary@berlin-international-school.de

or

Stiftung Private Kant-Schulen gGmbH

Berlin International School

Lentzeallee 8/14

14195 Berlin

• Cover letter stating your interest and why we should consider you as a strong candidate for this role (maximum two pages)
• Statement of your educational and leadership philosophy (maximum one page)
• Cv including three professional references that we may contact (maximum two pages)

As a separate pdf file, or accompanying your formal letter, also please share copies of all earned diplomas listed in your cv. Any questions about the search may be directed to the above email address.

Timeline

Applications will be received and reviewed from July through September 2021. A longlist will be drawn up and initial interviews carried out online in October 2021. In November 2021, finalists will be invited for on-site interviews that will involve our entire community with an appointment by December 2021. SPKS reserves the right to appoint an outstanding candidate and close the search at any time.

Conditions and Benefits

Initial 2-year contract with locally competitive benefits - to be negotiated with the successful candidate.