Head of School

at  Franconian International School

THE FIS IS LOOKING FOR A

Head of School
Starting: August 1, 2025
Employment Type: Full-time
Contract Type: 2 years
General
The Head of School holds overall responsibility for the strategic, operational, and financial management of the school, while ensuring the wellbeing of the entire school community. This role encompasses leading faculty and staff, as well as overseeing the holistic academic and pastoral programs from Early Years 3 through Grade 12. 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.
As the school’s primary representative, the Head of School engages with students, parents, staff, the FIS governing bodies and the broader community, serving as a liaison between all internal and external stakeholders.
About the School
At the Franconian International School (FIS), we are committed to delivering excellence in international education. Our inquiry-based curriculum, from Early Years to Grade 12, balances academic rigor with the holistic development of every student. We empower students to become engaged global citizens, equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world. With a diverse community, we are united by the values of Caring, Curiosity, Respect, Integrity, and Belonging. These values shape our learning environment, fostering collaboration, personal growth, and a lifelong love of learning. Join us and be part of a community that inspires growth.
Students
The FIS is home to over 800 students from Early Years to Grade 12, representing more than 40 nationalities. Our diverse student body brings a rich blend of cultural backgrounds, with many students fluent in multiple languages. Coming from business and professional families – often connected to our sponsoring companies – our students benefit from a global perspective. On average, they spend around three to five years at FIS. We take pride in fostering student voice and leadership, ensuring they play a key role in shaping school decisions and driving continuous improvement.
Curriculum
The FIS provides a full-day English-language program fostering dynamic, immersive learning. Early Years and Primary School (Grades 1-5) are transitioning to the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) with planned authorization in spring 2025, including specialist instruction in German, PE, Art, Music, and Performing Arts. Secondary School offers the IB Middle Years (Grades 6-10) and Diploma Programmes (Grades 11-12), plus the FIS High School Diploma. Our EAL program supports non-native speakers, while Learning Support and Counseling services meet diverse student needs.
Faculty, Administration and Leadership
The FIS has a highly qualified faculty of nearly 120 international teachers and 20 dedicated learning assistants from over 30 countries, many with experience from top international schools. With an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, we prioritize personalized attention. Our strong administrative team of 40 ensures smooth school operations daily. The Senior Leadership Team, including the Heads of Primary and Secondary School, Curriculum, Educational and Business Administration, Head of School, and Deputy Head, is dedicated to educational excellence.
School Facilities
Our modern school in- and outdoor facilities are designed to inspire and support student learning. Featuring spacious classrooms and state-of-the-art science and art labs, our campus also includes dedicated music rooms, a theater, and an Aula for gatherings and events. Students can explore their interests in three well-equipped libraries and enjoy meals in our vibrant cafeteria. Additionally, there are two full-sized gymnasiums on campus, providing ample space for sports and physical activities.
International Accreditations
The FIS holds accreditations from the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC), affirming its commitment to excellence and adherence to international educational standards. In early 2025, the school will decide on the approach for its next accreditation cycle.
Erlangen, Germany
Erlangen, in Bavaria’s vibrant Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, is the smallest of its major cities with nearly 120,000 residents. Despite its size, it ranks as Germany’s second top business hub after Munich, hosting prominent companies like Siemens and the Friedrich-Alexander University. 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.
Role and Responsibilities

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 (BoD), 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 BoD’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.

Profile & Qualifications

• 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.

Compensation & Benefits

• 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.

Interviews for long-listed candidates will begin via Zoom in the second half of November. Final short-listed candidates will be interviewed by various stakeholders in early January, with a decision expected by the end of the month.

Please note

• 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

Contact for Questions

• Franconian International School e. V.Human ResourcesMarie-Curie-Straße 291052 Erlangen, Germany
• +49 9131 94039 – 0
• jobs@the-fis.de

Please refer the Job description for details