Head Of School In Vancouver BC For Island Pacific School
Posted: 27-Nov-22
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Want a career move that will change your world?
Want to make a real difference in the lives of teachers and students?
Want to live and work in a west coast paradise?
Island Pacific School is looking for a Superhero Head of School to lead an inspired team of teachers and staff in their continuing quest to reimagine middle school education.
WHAT IS ISLAND PACIFIC SCHOOL?
Founded in 1995, Island Pacific School is an independent IB middle school located on Bowen Island in the Vancouver area of British Columbia, Canada.
With 60 plus students in grades 6-9, the school offers a challenging academic program, creative arts, community service activities, and outdoor pursuits.
Small by design, our purpose is to equip and inspire students to cultivate their humanity.
ABOUT BOWEN ISLAND
Island Pacific School is nestled in the trees on beautiful Bowen Island, in Howe Sound, itself a spectacular UNESCO biosphere region.
With 4,000 full time residents, the community has the charm of a small town while still accessible to everything Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region has to offer. Islanders are proud of their community and their environment and feel privileged to live in such a spectacular place where the mountains, the forest and the sea meet.
WHAT DOES THE CURRENT HEAD OF SCHOOL THINK OF THE JOB?
“I have loved the opportunity to be in a position to support great ideas that make for great education. The ability to be nimble, as it relates to being a small, intimate, highly effective team is an appealing feature of this position. You’re not caught up in any bureaucracy; instead you’re immersed in the daily routines and connections with each student.
By living and working on Bowen Island you are embedded in a small, thoughtful community surrounded by a beautiful natural environment. The school is deeply involved in both, creating programming that makes the most of this unique placement. There is also an international city only a 20 minute ferry ride away.
I will pass on a strong foundation, deeply embedded core values, a thriving culture
and a sound financial position.” – Scott Herrington
WHAT IS THE HEAD OF SCHOOL POSITION?
The specifics of the role are here however, the right candidate will need the superpowers
of energy, vision and commitment. The role of the Head of School is to lead the strategy and culture of the school and to direct and coordinate all the operations and activities of the school – including strategic planning, program development, communications and fundraising, and everything in between.
Building on the platform established by the founders of the school and with the support of the school’s passionate and committed team, this is a fantastic opportunity to realize your aspirations of a career in education.
The ideal candidate has a minimum of 10 years educational experience and is currently in a leadership role. A Masters degree in education or a related field would be an asset.
For a more complete description of the responsibilities involved, see the Head of School Job Description attached.
The Headship will begin in July, 2024. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Interested superheroes should send a cover letter and a resume to the Search Committee at
The Search Committee would like to have the new Head of School in place by the end of summer 2023.
The Head of School shall direct and coordinate all activities of the entire school. The general duties of the Head of School include (but are not restricted to) the following:
SCHOOL MISSION & STRATEGIC PLANNING
• Working in consultation with the Board, the Head of School helps describe, define, and
communicate the school’s core mission.
• Working in consultation with the Board, the Head of School participates in, and contributes to, the development of the school’s strategic plan
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING
• Working in consultation with the Director of Communications and Director of Community
Engagement, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring proper communication to all IPS
stakeholders (e.g. students, parents, board members, alumni, community members).
• Working in consultation with the Director of Communications, the Head of School is responsible for
creating a Communications and Marketing plan that will lead to strong enrolment at the school.
ADMISSIONS & ENROLMENT
• Working in conjunction with the Director of Operations, Assistant Head and Learning Support Coordinator, the Head of School is responsible for recruiting, assessing, and enrolling a sufficient number of qualified candidates to ensure that the school can operate in a financially sustainable manner.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• Working in consultation with the staff, the Head of School is responsible for developing,
implementing, and evaluating the entire program of the school.
STAFFING (HR)
• The Head of School is responsible for handling all matters regarding employment, retention, and dismissal of personnel; salaries and contracts; job assignments and performance evaluation; and orientation and training.
• Working in consultation with the Director of Operations, the Head of School is responsible for preparing employee handbooks, and maintaining appropriate personnel records.
STUDENT SAFETY, SUPPORT & DISCIPLINE
• Working in consultation with the Assistant Head of School and the staff, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring that students experience a safe, caring, and educationally enriching environment at the school.
• Working in consultation with the Assistant Head of School and the staff, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring that all student discipline matters are handled in a just and effective way.
PARENT LIAISON
• Working in consultation with the Assistant Head of School, the Directors of Operations and Community Engagement, the staff, and the Grade Representatives, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring open and supportive relationships with all IPS parents.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
• Working in consultation with the Director of Community Engagement and the Grade
Representatives, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring that the school creates a strong volunteer network that properly acknowledges the contributions of all participants.
FINANCE
• Unless otherwise designated, the Head of School acts as the Business Officer, with support from the Financial Controller, for the school.
• Working in consultation with the Board Finance Committee, the Head of School is responsible for creating annual budgets, to be approved by the Board.
EXTERNAL COMPLIANCE
• Working in consultation with the Director of Operations and the staff, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring appropriate compliance with provincial and federal agencies, and with relevant accreditation agencies (e.g. ISABC, CAIS, IBO).
RISK MANAGEMENT
• Working in consultation with the Board Risk Management Committee, the Head of School is responsible for ensuring that appropriate safety policies and protocols are in place for all operational and program elements of the school.
FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT
• Working in consultation with the Director of Community Engagement, the Head of School is responsible for creating an annual fundraising program that will contribute to the annual operation of the school
• Working in conjunction with the Board, and the Director of Community Engagement, the Head of School is responsible for maintaining a Development Plan aimed at securing significant resources to realize long-term strategic goals.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL: • Have high energy and dedication required for a smaller entrepreneurial environment. • Use their interpersonal and communication skills to actively manage and build relationships with various stakeholders – board, faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni and community members. • Have a good balance of teaching and administrative experience and a proven track record managing a small administrative team and faculty in a collaborative setting. • Possess considerable experience preparing, reporting and adhering to budgets and to have been an effective administrator of a successful school of 60+ students in a similar age group. • Possess a strong understanding of the importance of fundraising and financial sustainability to a not for profit school’s long-term success. • Have at least 10 years of teaching experience and a Masters Degree in Education. • Have familiarity and experience with the International Baccalaureate Program • Be an excellent communicator with solid presentation skills for both large and • small groups, from students, parents, staff, and Board to other external stakeholders. • Have outdoor leadership experience • Possess a strong personal resonance with, and commitment to, the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), anti-racism, and decolonization. Demonstrable experience in these areas will be an asset.
Island Pacific School guarantees that all employment candidates will have their application considered in a manner that is respectful of individual values and beliefs, free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, colour, nationality, religion, gender, age, familial status, and/or disability as we hire on the merits of skill, qualifications, experience, and fit for the program.
We are committed to a safe, healthy and rewarding work environment, and will not tolerate discriminatory harassment or personal harassment in any interactions connected to work with Island Pacific School.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to the Search Committee
We are currently in the process of considering applicants for this position and will be contacting certain applicants to schedule interviews before the end of February, 2023. We will have made our decision on the successful candidate by June 2023.
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About Island Pacific School
Distinctly different and small by design. Learning to make a difference. That is the motto at Island Pacific School. During the middle years, schools can either lose students or set them up for the rest of their lives. Put students in an environment of mediocrity and they will wither on the vine. Create a climate of challenge and expectation, and they will surprise us all. Located on Bowen Island, British Columbia, Island Pacific School (IPS) is a non-profit independent middle school uniquely designed to give grade 6-9 middle school students the education they need: an education that challenges and surprises them to become the very best of who they are. Small by design, IPS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program school with a maximum of 72 students. We are accredited by CAIS and are members of ISABC.
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