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Posted: 02-Apr-25
Location: Seongnam-si, South Korea
Type: Contract
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Mission
Our mission is to inspire students with a passion for learning and to cultivate the competence, self-assurance, initiative, and creativity necessary for success in the global community.
About Korea International School
Korea International School (KIS) is a leading PK-12 international school in Seoul that provides excellent academic and co-curricular programming. We believe that great teaching and learning is a process of positive risk, authentic opportunities, reflection, and refinement. Our graduates attend top universities around the world.
Our core values are global citizenship, integrity, adaptability, balance in life, and empowerment. We want our stakeholders to know they belong at KIS.
We engage in strategic thinking to imagine and plan. This school year we expanded co-curricular and experiential education offerings, opened a new orchestra space, and hosted multiple professional development events for KIS and regional educators. We are excited about where we can go!
Pangyo and Seoul Campus
Our main Pangyo campus has over 1250 PK-12 students and is located in a dynamic, tech-centered suburb south of Seoul. Seoul campus is our original campus founded in 2000 in vibrant Gangnam with 170 PK-5 students. Our students and families bring diverse perspectives and interests to our community.
Facilities include makerspaces, design studios, auditoriums, all weather fields, multiple play areas. Pangyo campus also has a fitness center and pool. Both campuses have forest areas for outdoor and nature education. Both campuses continue to develop programming, opportunities, and spaces that inspire learning beyond the classroom.
School Director Position Overview
KIS seeks an experienced and visionary school director to lead our next phase of growth. The school director is responsible for the school’s leadership, strategic direction, and daily operations.
We are proud of where we are – our enrollment and programming is strong, our competitive salary and benefits package attracts and retains high-quality staff, and we are pursuing spring 2026 CIS accreditation in addition to our current WASC accreditation.
We are seeking a school director who can continue to inspire stakeholder collaboration and provide decision-making clarity as we grow in a competitive market.
Key Responsibilities
The school director is responsible for strategic, operational, and educational leadership and reports to the headmaster and board of directors.
Source: Academy for International School Heads (AISH) Leadership Standards.
Strategic and Educational Leadership
- Articulate and advance the school’s mission, vision, and strategic plan.
- Ensure academic and co-curricular programs align with international accreditation standards and best practices to ensure effective learning outcomes, including college matriculation.
- Continue to address AI and other evolving technologies for application in teaching and learning.
- Cultivate inquiry, collaboration, and professional learning among staff.
Organizational and Operational Management
- Oversee academic budget and resource management that secures fiscal sustainability and operational efficiency.
- Lead facilities and infrastructure development that creates an optimal learning environment.
- Strengthen systems for communication, staffing, and scheduling to enhance school operations.
- Confirm compliance with local and international regulations, accreditation requirements, and school policies.
Community and Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster a strong, collaborative relationship with students, staff, parents/guardians, and alumni.
- Work alongside the PTO to align parent engagement with school initiatives.
- Represent KIS locally and internationally, enriching the school’s reputation and strategic partnerships.
- Build connections with corporations, universities, and embassies to further strengthen enrollment and program opportunities.
Academic Staff Leadership
- Recruit, retain, and develop world-class international educators.
- Cultivate an inclusive, high-performing professional culture.
- Support leadership development within the academic staff and administration.
Application Process & Timeline
Korea International School is conducting an international search for this position. Salary and benefits package is competitive and will be shared with position finalists. Our anticipated hiring timeline is:
- March 31 - April 25 – Application window open.
- Early May – Initial interviews with stakeholder panels.
- Mid May – Finalists invited for site visits and final interviews.
- Late May 2025 – Appointment confirmation.
- Early June 2025 – Announce KIS’s next school director.
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, current resume with reference contact information, and a statement of educational philosophy as a single pdf (maximum five pages total) to directorsearch@kis.or.kr.
KIS reserves the right to close the application window when a candidate is found.
Candidate Profile
Essential Qualifications
- Advanced degree in educational leadership, administration, or a related field.
- Proven experience as a school director, head of school, or principal in a high-performing private or international school – minimum three years in leadership role.
- Strong understanding of international education standards, accreditation processes, and best practices.
- Financial acumen and ability to oversee significant budgets and strategic planning.
- Excellent communication, cultural competency, and relationship-building skills.
Preferred Attributes
- Demonstrated success in leading change and school improvement initiatives.
- Commitment to fostering a culture that inspires curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning.
- Ability to engage corporate and community partnerships to support enrollment and school initiatives.