Upper School Director and IB Diploma Program Coordinator

Kennedy International School•New York, NY

18h•$140,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Kennedy International’s Upper School Division serves approximately 75 students in Grades 6–12, many from francophone backgrounds. The division offers bilingual and multilingual education: Grades 6–8 follow a French Ministry of Education-accredited program with instruction in French and English; Grade 9 offers both a French-accredited track and an international pre-IB Diploma Program track; and students enter the pre-IB program in Grade 10 before pursuing the IB Diploma. English is the school’s working language. French fluency is advantageous but not required. The Upper School Director is a member of the School Leadership Team, initially reporting to the Associate Head of School and ultimately to the Head of School. The role collaborates with the Associate Head of School (P–12) on French Ministry compliance, francophone faculty recruitment, and French program requirements. The Director oversees the Upper School team, including the French-speaking Dean of Students, an Administrative Assistant, and approximately 20 Anglophone and Francophone faculty members. The position combines division leadership and daily operational oversight with responsibility for coordinating the IB Diploma Program. The position is full-time and exempt, with an annual salary range of $140,000–$160,000. The application deadline is December 1, 2026, and the start date is August 1, 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; a master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field is preferred.
At least 5–7 years of successful upper-school teaching experience.
At least 3–5 years of experience in educational leadership, department leadership, or school administration.
Demonstrated experience with the International Baccalaureate curriculum, preferably in an authorized IB World School.
Strong understanding of IB philosophy, curriculum framework, assessment practices, and academic expectations.
Experience in curriculum planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Ability to supervise, mentor, evaluate, and support faculty in maintaining high academic standards.
Knowledge of student development, academic advising, classroom management, and student well-being.
Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to collaborate with faculty, students, parents, and school leadership.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, intercultural understanding, and international-mindedness.
Ability to balance strategic educational leadership with daily academic and administrative responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in French.
A master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
IB curriculum experience in an authorized IB World School.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and evaluate Upper School faculty and staff, supporting professional growth and a collaborative environment.
Manage day-to-day Upper School operations, including schedules, events, and stakeholder communications.
Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Upper School curriculum.
Promote academic rigor and innovation while ensuring students are challenged and supported.
Collaborate with the Dean of Students and faculty to address students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
Foster respect, integrity, and responsibility through character education.
Design and implement professional development aligned with school goals and priorities.
Conduct faculty and staff observations and evaluations, providing constructive feedback and support.
Serve as a primary contact for Upper School parents, address concerns, and build strong partnerships.
Collaborate with Admissions to evaluate prospective students and support new families’ transitions.
Organize and participate in events that build community among students, parents, faculty, and staff.
Develop, enforce, and review policies and procedures that support a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment.
Use data to assess student performance, inform decisions, and monitor progress toward goals.
Work with the Head of School and other division heads to support alignment and coherence across divisions.
Oversee curriculum development within the IB Diploma Program.
Ensure teachers are appropriately qualified and trained in accordance with IB requirements.
Organize internal assessment according to IB Diploma Program criteria.
Record IB-related communications, forms, documents, and reports.
Ensure students are registered for examinations.
Ensure proper conduct of written and oral examinations, including scheduling, invigilator training, and exam-material preparation.
Promote and develop the IB Diploma Program within and outside the School.
Oversee the five-year program authorization renewal process when applicable.