[ref. m74314701] Head of School

Contract Type: 2 years

General

The Head of School ensures that education at the FIS, related activities and school developments align with the FIS core values and guiding statements and comply with all regulations and standards governing international schools in Germany.

Nearby Herzogenaurach is home to sports giants Adidas and Puma. Erlangen’s charming city center and excellent public transport offer a mix of convenience and culture. Just 25 minutes away, Nuremberg (pop. ~540,000) provides easy access to an international airport.

Community:

• Sets the tone and serves as a role model, fostering a school culture and environment where students and staff can learn, grow, and thrive.
• Works with all stakeholders to assure that the school provides a caring environment for all its students, fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Ensures safety and well-being by implementing and overseeing effective safeguarding, conflict management, crisis response, and emergency procedures.
• Builds constructive relationships with all school stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, and the governing bodies, fostering open communication and trust.
• Addresses student, staff, parental and community concerns, with a specific focus on safeguarding, promoting a culture of belonging.
• Maintains visibility throughout the school and actively engages with the community.
• Represents the FIS at local, regional, national, and international levels, advocating for the school and strengthening its reputation.

Curriculum & Programs:

• Prioritizes students’ needs as the central focus of all decision-making processes.
• Insists on a focus on learning in every aspect of the school’s activities, ensuring that education is at the heart of the school’s mission.
• Promotes the implementation of a curriculum rooted in best practices, international-mindedness, and providing value beyond the classroom.
• Ensures the successful implementation and development of the IB programs (PYP, MYP, and DP).
• Assures the curriculum fosters high academic standards appropriate for a “non-selective” school, supporting all students in reaching their full potential.
• Ensures that the curriculum, program, and environment meet and maintain accreditation standards, demonstrating excellence in education.
• Assures the existence of quality programs that foster well-rounded students through a robust extracurricular program that supports personal growth beyond academics.

Faculty & Staff:

• Leads and collaborates as an integral part of the senior leadership team, ensuring cohesive and effective leadership across the school.
• Involves all faculty and staff in cultivating a whole-school ethos aligned with the FIS core values and guiding statements.
• Makes final decisions regarding the hiring, promotion, and retention of faculty and staff.
• With the support of the senior leadership team, recruits, mentors, and evaluates high-quality faculty and staff to ensure excellence in teaching and operations.
• Ensures that adequate faculty and staff are employed, both in number and quality, to effectively implement curriculum, program objectives, and operational support.
• Implements a regular performance appraisal program for faculty and staff, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability for high educational standards
• Ensures that regular professional development opportunities are available and encouraged to promote growth and enhance teaching practices.

Governance, Finances & Facilities:

• Implements the strategic vision of the school, as approved by the Board of Directors (Bo D), ensuring alignment with long-term goals.
• Reports regularly to the Board of Directors on policy decisions, key school developments, fiscal performance, and overall school operations.
• Ensures the development and adherence to a sound financial business plan, in line with the Bo D’s approvals, promoting financial sustainability.
• Ensures compliance with all legal and statutory requirements, safeguarding the school’s operations within regulatory frameworks.
• Assures the establishment and enforcement of effective administrative rules and procedures, maintaining smooth and efficient operations.
• Maintains clear and effective channels of communication between all school constituencies, fostering transparency and collaboration.
• Ensures that facilities and equipment are adequate and well-maintained to support the school’s educational objectives and operational needs.

• Master’s degree in Education or related field.
• Professional fluency in English and German (C2 level).
• 5–10 years of experience in educational leadership, preferably in an international or IB setting.
• In-depth knowledge of IB pedagogy and international education standards.
• Strong communication skills and a passion for holistic student development.
• Proven experience in data-driven decision-making, utilizing assessment results and feedback to inform educational practices and enhance student outcomes.
• Strong commitment to fostering a positive school culture that emphasizes social-emotional learning and the well-being of all students and staff.

• Competitive base salary with annual performance-based reviews.
• Attractive performance bonus, based on achieving 100% of individual targets (Board-evaluated).
• Car leasing options available, in line with FIS regulations (taxable benefit).
• Educational benefits for children, following FIS policy (taxable benefit).
• Pension scheme contributions starting after just 6 months of service.
• Comprehensive relocation support, with services and benefits in accordance with FIS policy.
• 30 days of vacation per school year, aligned with school holidays.
• An initial two-year fixed-term contract with the opportunity for a tenured position, contingent on a performance evaluation conducted six months prior to contract expiration.

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following materials:

• Cover Letter: A letter of application (maximum two pages) explaining your strengths as a candidate and your interest in this specific position.
• Curriculum Vitae: A CV (maximum two pages) detailing relevant experience, including clear indications of completed qualifications.
• Video Submission: A short video answering the following three questions:
• Why are you motivated to apply for this role at our school at this point in time?
• Why do you think that you are uniquely qualified to be the best candidate for this role?
• How do you know that you are successful in your current role? What are your personal metrics of success?
• References: A one-page list of references, including their phone numbers and email addresses.
• Please submit all required application materials at your earliest convenience and no later than November 15, 2024.

• If you currently reside or if you are planning to move to the Erlangen / Nuremberg area, please note this clearly in your application.
• Please submit your application

• Franconian International School e. V.

• +49 9131 94039 – 0
• jobs@the-fis.de