Deputy Head of School

Mulgrave School

2330 Cypress Bowl Lane

West Vancouver, BC V7S 3H9

Permanent, Full-time

Deputy Head of School

Mulgrave, the International School of Vancouver, seeks an inspirational Deputy Head of School for August 2024, following the appointment of the current Deputy Head as the Head of a prominent international school in Asia. Mulgrave is a gender inclusive, secular IB World School. As an independent day school with a reputation for academic excellence and for providing a broad, holistic education, we offer the International Baccalaureate curriculum to students from Pre-K to Grade 12 in a spectacular West Vancouver setting.

Mulgrave has a deep commitment to the IB philosophy and programmes; we believe in the benefits of a holistic education that focuses on developing students’ personal dispositions, skills and qualities alongside high-level academic achievements. Our academic provision is inquiry-based and through curricular and co-curricular activities (related to service learning and leadership, the creative and performing arts, athletics, and outdoor education) students make classroom connections, develop the IB Learner Profile attributes, and discover their passions. Mulgrave deeply values mother tongue language development and our robust Mandarin programme is unique and a key differentiator of our school.

Our school is structured into four divisions:

• Early Years (Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten)
• Junior School (Grades 1 to 5)
• Middle School (Grades 6 to 9)
• Senior School (Grades 10 to 12)

Position Summary:

The precise role of the Deputy Head will depend to some extent on their skills and experience, so responsibilities may shift within the leadership team. As a starting point the following applies to the role and position:

The Deputy Head of School provides empowering leadership to support and challenge colleagues at all levels to reach new heights in their professional skills. Working closely with the Head of School and an experienced leadership team, the Deputy Head of School is currently responsible for the leading the Educational Leadership Team and ensuring the highest quality of teaching and learning, curriculum, and assessment across four divisions (Early Years, Junior School, Middle School, and Senior School) and three IB programmes (PYP, MYP and DP). In this role she or he directly supports various senior colleagues, including the divisional principals, in their respective roles.

The Deputy Head also deputises for the Head of School in his absence, and takes on additional responsibilities assigned by the Head of School as the need arises. The Deputy Head works with the Board of Directors at a strategic level, attends all meetings of the Board of Directors, and sits on at least one Board Committee. He or she will also be an active participant in the School Advisory Board, and work closely with the Executive Committee of the parent association.

Duties & Responsibilities

Including but not limited to the following:

• Lead the Educational Leadership Team to ensure that the school achieves its strategic educational goals and that all educational activities align with and promote the school’s guiding statements
• Provide direction, guidance and support to the divisional Principals and set high standards for the long-term goals and day-to-day operation of each division 
• Work closely with the IB Programme Coordinators (PYP, MYP and DP) and the Curriculum Coordinators (heads of department) to lead learning, teaching and curriculum continuity and progression from PK to Grade 12.
• This will include continuity and progression in: 

1. skill development 
2. learning and teaching
3. assessment, recording and reporting
4. curriculum content and concepts

• Promote continuous improvement in teaching and learning by leading a robust and differentiated program of teacher professional learning and growth
• Oversee the implementation of the Teachers' Professional Growth Plan (TPGP) process and ensure that all mid-level and senior leaders have the requisite skills to provide effective supervision, mentorship, and support for faculty and staff
• Lead the development and regular review of school-wide policies, especially those related to teaching and learning 
• Working closely with the HR department, oversee the recruitment and ongoing professional review and development of all academic staff
• Lead and oversee all internal and external monitoring and evaluation exercises, including CIS, IB, CAIS, and BC Ministry of Education 
• Ensure that the school satisfies all requirements of its various accrediting bodies, including the administration of required examinations
• Develop the schoolwide timetable, with the support of an experienced timetable programmer
• Support the Data Manager in working with all ELT members to promote the thoughtful use of data to support learning and teaching and school improvement
• Provide support, guidance, and direction to a range of direct reports including:

1. PK-12 Mother tongue Coordinator
2. PK-12 Indigenous Education Coordinator
3. PK-12 Library Staff
4. PK-12 Learning Strategies Coordinators

The successful candidate for the Deputy Head of School position will: 

• Have at least five years of senior-level school leadership experience, ideally in an international or IB school setting
• Be committed to our school’s mission, vision, and values and the ideals of IB and international education
• Be a committed, student-centred, values-driven professional who is passionate about young people and education
• Be a creative, innovative and forward thinker
• Have clear educational values and principles and an emerging vision of outstanding education
• Have high standards and be an outstanding role model for other staff
• Have high-level coaching skills and be able to sensitively but effectively improve the performance of team leaders
• Be an excellent teacher and have a deep understanding of learning
• Be a reflective practitioner with a drive for self-improvement
• Be able to plan strategically and delegate effectively
• Have high level interpersonal and motivational skills
• Have high-level personal tech skills and a very good understanding of the potential of technology in teaching and learning
• Have an eye for detail as well as being able to see the big picture
• Have a sense of humour
• Have excellent analytical, data interpretation and administrative skills
• Be committed to an enriched programme that includes co-curricular, service, athletics, arts, and outdoor education
• Be eager to be involved in all facets of the school, ideally with ambitions towards an eventual Headship. This will mean engagement with whole school finance, facilities, marketing and advancement areas as well. 

Required Qualifications:

• Five + years of senior-level school leadership experience, ideally in an international or IB school setting
• Must be a Canadian resident and legally entitled to work in Canada (Citizen, PR, or valid work permit), or be prepared, with our support, to go through the process of applying for the appropriate visa and permissions from the Canadian and BC authorities prior to commencement.
• Hold or be able to attain BC teacher certification 
• Have knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate programmes

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment 

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural student population, Mulgrave actively seeks to recruit teachers from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in independent and international school faculties. BIPoC and 2SLGBTQ+ educators and those with disabilities are warmly encouraged to apply, and invited to reach out for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

This position will include BC Medical coverage, health & dental benefits, full student tuition at Mulgrave, generous RRSP contributions and relocation assistance.

Please see our website for further information about our school and a detailed job description at www.mulgrave.com.  

Your expression of interest including a resume and cover letter should be submitted to mulgrave.bamboohr.com/careers by November 30, 2023. Interviews for this position will be ongoing.  

We thank all interested parties. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.