Visiting Programs 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 Visiting Program Director is responsible for directing a team of up to 6-8 full time staff including managers, instructors and interns. Summer staffing includes an additional 8-10 short term staff. Along with the team, the Director will administer, support and in many cases deliver all curriculum and courses that fall outside of the scope of our core programs at The Island School. This requires skills and experience in organizing, administering and delivering programs in addition to possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and a keen sense of business acumen. These currently include:

• Visiting Programs – Visiting school groups that range from 5th grade through post-doctoral field courses. The Island School currently has 750-1000 short course student visits to our campus per year.
• Island School Summer Term – 6-week program of ~60 students (or two 30 day programs)

Additionally, the Visiting Program Director and team provides essential staffing and support for each of our core programs (Semester, Deep Creek Middle School, Deep Creek Primary, Elementary Learning Center) in the form of boat drivers, educators, expedition leaders, van drivers, logisticians and many other support needs. In this way, the Visiting Programs team is essential to the operations and delivery of all educational programming and creates pathways for professional development and mobility within the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• This position has primary responsibility for leading and ensuring the delivery of high quality Summer Term and Visiting Programs in all aspects
• Lead the continued improvement of the overall programs as well as the structures and systems that support them
• Collaborate with leaders across educational programs to ensure educational and support needs are met
• Proactively and effectively communicate with various constituents (parents, students, faculty, sending schools etc.)
• Recruit, train, guide and manage a diverse team of instructors. Strategically hire, train, and mentor and evaluate staff
• Assume the role of lead administrator responsible for overall program safety, quality and outcomes
• Effectively manage and communicate any disciplinary situations that arise
• Manage program clientele invoicing and pricing
• Assess and update risk management protocol of all Visiting Program activities
• Act as the primary point of contact for all clients (~1,000 annually)
• Organize logistics and staffing for all clients
• Review medical forms, contracts, insurance coverage and other relevant client paperwork
• Develop and market educational programs
• Design, create, and maintain program curriculum and resources
• Thrive in a small and tight-knit community located in a remote part of The Bahamas
• Commit to the wider Mission and values of The Island School

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong management and organizational skills
• A significant time and energy commitment to the program
• Strong teaching and mentoring skills to guide staff
• Commitment to outdoor and experiential education focused on sustainability and culture
• Experience with risk management responsibilities in outdoor education
• Collaborative disposition to effectively share limited resources
• Ability to work closely and productively with other department leaders throughout the organization.
• Ability to build strong relationships with students from various backgrounds through daily interactions, teaching in the classroom and participating in outdoor activities
• Demonstrate exceptional leadership proficiency
• Be high energy, compassionate, collaborative and inspiring, willing to take constructive risks
• Appreciation for physical challenge and the confidence that comes with challenging oneself physically and mentally

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Housing, including all utilities and wifi available for off island candidates
• Access to dining hall for on-campus meals when available
• Medical insurance; Life Insurance; 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. Four weeks (20 days) of vacation time is provided. 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 include the following in their application:

1. Cover letter and personal statement
2. Current resume
3. Three references (to include name, telephone number and email address)

4. Submit through our BambooHR portal: https://ceis.bamboohr.com/careers