Head of School, Hong Kong International School at THE LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD

, , Hong Kong S.A.R. -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jul, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Apr, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Strategic leadership, Educational administration, Operational management, Financial stewardship, Community building, Crisis management, Curriculum development, Staff recruitment, Public relations, Cross-cultural communication, Policy development, Spiritual leadership, Team leadership, Decision making, Fundraising, Stakeholder management

Industry

Religious Institutions

Description

Job DetailsJob Location: Hong Kong - Hong Kong, ChinaPosition Summary The Head of School (HoS) leads Hong Kong International School (HKIS) in communicating and advancing its mission and vision through strategic, educational, operational, and spiritual leadership. The HoS is responsible for managing the policies, budget, facilities, regulations and procedures to help ensure that all students are provided with a high-quality inquiry-based education that meets the approved curricula as established by the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO). Ultimately, the HoS reports to and is accountable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Board for International Mission (BIM). The HoS is an employee of Hong Kong International School Association Limited (HKISAL) under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57 of the Laws of Hong Kong), and reports to the board of HKISAL and maintains an ultimate responsibility to the LCMS. Key Relationships / Reports to • LCMS BIM • HKIS Board of Managers Direct Reports • Chief Advancement Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Admissions, Associate Head of School, and other leaders as appropriate Requirements Education • Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, leadership, theology, business administration, or related field required, advanced degree beyond Master’s degree desired • Appropriate administrative experience, license or certification needed for work permit/visa process • Qualified candidates must be rostered members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and eligible to receive a call for this role Experience • Demonstrated ability leading an organization with a clear LCMS Lutheran identity, engaging thoughtfully with complex questions of faith and spirituality while relating respectfully to people of different faiths, cultures and nationalities • Strong moral character with the ability to engender trust in leadership • No less than 10 years’ experience in a senior leadership position at an institution with not less than approximately 1,000 students and 100 faculty, save in exceptional cases where demonstrably equivalent leadership experience can be shown (for example, in another nonprofit organization) • Active member of an LCMS congregation in good standing • Significant international and/or cross cultural experience desired, preferably in an international or multicultural educational context • Proven community builder who leads collaboratively while exercising sound judgement and decisiveness when required Core Competencies Leadership & Management • Manages operations and resources to provide a productive environment for learning • Effectively delegates, empowers colleagues, and develops leaders • Communicates clearly, orally and in writing, across diverse cultures and settings • Quick learner; demonstrates flexibility in fast-paced, culturally complex institutions • Works effectively with stakeholders and external partners • Demonstrates the ability to lead the HKIS community with sound judgement, clarity and decisiveness, and to provide effective, credible and stable leadership Spiritual Leader • Demonstrates moral integrity, honesty, kindness, and faithfulness • Models an LCMS Lutheran mission mentality and servant leadership characteristics • Demonstrates ability to resolve conflict constructively • Serves as a collegial, contributing member of the school wide community Mission Centered-Vision Focused • Inspires others and embraces personal ownership of the mission from a Lutheran perspective • Anticipates and articulates vision; plans and executes next steps • Demonstrates a positive, optimistic, can-do attitude • Shows passion for teacher and student success Team-Focused Culture • Treats all with respect; builds people up • Operates with transparency; is flexible and adaptable • Works collaboratively across the school and broader community • Nurtures a positive culture conducive to student learning and teacher growth • Demonstrates ability to acquire additional competencies over time Key Areas of Responsibility 1. Chief Executive Officer • Holds an ultimate responsibility for all activities and outcomes on and off campus • Articulates a compelling vision that advances the school, consistent with Lutheran teachings • Ensures mission focus across the institution • Fosters a campus climate that embraces the mission and empowers the faculty/staff in a positive, collaborative atmosphere • Serves as the public face of the institution • Builds positive relationships with all constituents, especially the LCMS leadership 2. Spiritual Leader • Gives a clear witness to the Christian faith through an LCMS lens • Provides prayers/devotionals at school events • Leads devotions at beginning of student, community and faculty meetings • Provides spiritual guidance during crisis 3. Governance • Acts as the primary liaison with the LCMS and all government authorities • Serves as a member of the school Board of Managers and as a director of Hong Kong International School Association Limited • Serves as school Supervisor under Hong Kong education law • Recommends policies to the LCMS BIM to ensure LCMS mission fidelity • Approves administrative, faculty, and student policies 4. Education Leader • Stays abreast of best practices, trends, and innovations in international education • Ensures that education meets approved curricula framed by the SLOs • Through the Principals, monitors and manages the curriculum of the school, including to ensure consistency with Article II of the LCMS Constitution • Creates a climate that supports faculty-driven innovation in curriculum delivery • Provides leadership to maintain full WASC Accreditation • Stewards the school to obtaining full NLSA Accreditation • Approves report submissions to NLSA/WASC • Approves reports to the Hong Kong Education Bureau • Leads an evidence-based approach to learning; ensures development, implementation, and monitoring of curriculum • Promotes professional development focused on improving student achievement • Observes teachers regularly and provides appropriate feedback • Serves as a leader of learning 5. Strategic Planning • Works with the school Board of Managers / Board of Directors for the creation, administration, and implementation of a long-range strategic plan, including financial sustainability • Monitors the implementation and progress toward schoolwide goals 6. Fiscal Management • Through the Chief Financial Officer, submits an annual budget for approval by the school Board of Managers / Board of Directors • Recommends annual tuition rates and salary/benefits adjustments • Provides budget reports for each regularly scheduled meeting • Ensures financial stewardship and adherence to accounting conventions • Safeguards financial health by partnering with the Chief Advancement Officer and Director of Marketing to advance fundraising and the school’s profile in the community • Ensures best practices for investment and use of surplus funds • Creates plans for facility development and maintenance 7. Management • Monitors personnel policies and recommends changes to support high morale, above-average retention, and strong recruitment • Oversees recruitment and holds authority for hiring and termination decisions • Through the Director of Human Resources, ensures all personnel meet Hong Kong legal requirements • Ensures procedures comply with codes and laws of Hong Kong government agencies 8. Student Support • Ensures activities and procedures support the holistic education of all students • Ensures a healthy co-curricular program that serves all students and enhances a Lutheran ethos • Provides resources to enable all admitted students to succeed 9. LCMS • Serves as a missionary of the LCMS, called by the LCMS BIM • Maintains an ultimate responsibility to the LCMS BIM that the school reaches toward fulfillment of its purposes set forth in the school’s Operating Agreement and Mission Statement • Acts as HKIS’ primary liaison to the LCMS to ensure that the HKIS Board of Managers and the LCMS are kept duly informed and coordinated on all relevant issues pertaining to HKIS’ governing documents • Nurtures a strong relationship and ensures clear communication between the organizations Important Note In 2025 the LCMS started legal proceedings against Hong Kong International School Association Limited (HKISAL), the company that operates and manages HKIS under a contract called the Operating Agreement. Under the Operating Agreement: • The Head of School of Hong Kong International School shall be officially called/appointed by the Board for International Mission of the LCMS in consultation with the Board of Managers of the Association. He/she is a missionary of the LCMS. • The Head of School shall be directly responsible to the Board of Managers of the School, but he/she shall also maintain an ultimate responsibility to the Board for International Mission of the LCMS. • In particular, he/she is designated as the individual responsible that the School reaches toward fulfillment of its purposes as stated in this Agreement and in the Mission Statement of the School. The Operating Agreement is a key matter in dispute in those legal proceedings, including the appointment of the HKIS Head of School thereunder. Candidates should carefully consider these matters before applying – which will be discussed with shortlisted candidates. Qualifications

Responsibilities

The Head of School provides strategic, educational, and operational leadership to advance the school's mission and vision. They are responsible for managing policies, budgets, facilities, and ensuring high-quality inquiry-based education while serving as the primary liaison to the LCMS.