Semester Director

Overview

The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in The Bahamas, was founded to create and support transformational educational experiences with the vision of leadership effecting change, on the island of Eleuthera. The diverse educational initiatives, including our High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and our Community Engagement and Partnerships, deliver unique educational journeys in conjunction with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research and sustainable development at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, our research, and innovation hub. We are reimagining what education is for, and redesigning how education is delivered.

Job Summary

The Island School seeks a leader who has classroom and educational leadership background as well as outdoor and experiential education experience outside of the classroom. The Semester Director must thrive in a boarding environment where students, faculty, and administrators are engaged throughout the full day and evening, every day of the week during the Semester. The Semester Director must feel at home managing a remote campus, where the entire community operates in a self-sufficient expeditionary mode far from the trappings of modern commercialism, and without the support network of comprehensive medical services, for example, that many schools take for granted.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the continuous improvement of the overall program as well as the structures and systems that support them
• Proactively and effectively communicate with various constituents (parents, students, faculty, sending schools etc.)
• Recruit, train, guide and manage a diverse teaching faculty and team of senior leaders
• Continually evaluate and coach all staff
• Collaborate with other Department Heads to creatively share resources in support of all of our programs
• Report to the Director of Education and serve as part of the leadership team of Department Heads

The Director of Island School Semester Program will work closely with the Director of Education and the CEO/Head of School as well as other organizational leaders to help guide the vision and implementation of The Island School Semester journey and to support all of our programs across departments. This person will be responsible for the delivery and daily operational oversight of the semester program and will be the primary contact for students, parents and faculty. The Director of the Island School Semester Program will provide daily oversight for all aspects of programmatic excellence, delivery, and continuity.  This is a year-round position with primary responsibility for leading and ensuring the delivery of high-quality Semester and Summer Term programs in all aspects.

Skills

The Island School Semester Director role requires:

• Strong management and organizational skills
• A significant time and energy commitment to the program
• Strong teaching and mentoring skills to guide staff
• Commitment to experiential education focused on sustainability and culture
• Experience with skill-based and mastery assessment
• Experience in outdoor education with risk management responsibilities
• Collaborative disposition to effectively share limited resources
• Ability to build strong relationships with students from various backgrounds through daily interactions, teaching in the classroom, and participating in outdoor activities
• Ability to work closely and productively with other department leaders throughout the organization

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• have completed an advanced degree
• have substantial teaching and educational leadership experience
• demonstrate exceptional leadership proficiency
• be high energy, compassionate, collaborative, inspiring, and willing to take constructive risks
• have appreciation for physical challenge and the confidence that comes with challenging oneself physically and mentally
• have experience in outdoor and experiential education, including thriving in remote places and in expedition-like settings

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Housing available for off-island candidates
• Access to dining hall for on-campus meals when available
• Medical insurance, life insurance and dental reimbursement
• 4 weeks paid vacation
• Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
• Professional development opportunities

Schedule

This is a full-time leadership position with an annual review. The Island School operates year-round and working hours vary depending on needs. Evening and weekend work will be required. Special events will require periods of time outside of normal working hours when staff must be on-site for extended periods. Given the degree to which this position is a leadership role within the organization, the successful candidate should expect and desire to work a variable and mission-driven schedule.

Application

Applicants should submit the following in PDF format through our Hiring portal:

• Letter of application that states career interests, why you would like to work for The Island School and your relevant experience and qualifications for the position
• Current resume
• Three references (to include name, address, telephone number, and email address) familiar with the applicant's work