Head of Boarding

**JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF BOARDING**:
**CAMPUS**: Johannesburg Campus | **SUPERVISOR**: School Director | **START DATE**: As soon as available | **POSTING DATE**: May 23, 2025 | **CLOSING DATE**: June 4, 2025

**INSPIRE LEARNING TO BUILD OUR BETTER WORLD**:
At the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), we are committed to providing an exceptional education that empowers learners to take initiative and drive positive change. Our vision is to inspire learning to build a better world. We seek a dedicated and passionate professional who aligns with our commitment to excellence and believes in the transformative power of education. Every team member is crucial in creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. At AISJ, we value every employee as a learner and expect them to embody and support the AISJ Portrait of a Learner through their work.

**POSITION OVERVIEW**:
The Head of Boarding oversees the strategic development of the boarding program, ensuring alignment with our school's educational philosophy. This role focuses on creating a program-rich environment that emphasizes experiential learning opportunities and inquiry-based approaches to student development. The position requires implementing comprehensive risk management strategies for residential life while connecting with academic departments to activate personalized student support.

The role involves expanding the boarding offering through innovative program development, identifying staff training needs, and recruiting boarding scholars. Essential skills include visionary leadership, residential curriculum design expertise, risk assessment proficiency, and the ability to create transformative learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**LEADERSHIP AND VISION**:

- Articulate and implement a clear vision for the boarding program aligned with the school's overall goals
- Develop strategic plans for the growth and sustainability of the boarding program
- Inspire and lead the boarding staff to achieve excellence in residential education
- Connect with key individuals in student support, operations, and boarding management to ensure program elevation
- Create and develop relationships with community partners to further the Boarding program's goals

**PROGRAM DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT**:

- Develop and continuously improve the boarding program to meet learner needs and align with school philosophy
- Design a distinctive boarding program for international and local students with innovative residential experiences
- Ensure the program is grounded in inquiry learning, experiential education, and student agency development
- Generate comprehensive supervision rosters covering on-campus support, off-campus activities, study halls, and meals
- Review and refine Standard Operating Procedures for best practices in learner care and operational efficiency
- Manage all aspects of the boarding program's budget and operational procedures.

**RISK MANAGEMENT**:

- Develop, implement, and regularly review comprehensive risk management strategies for all boarding activities
- Ensure facilities meet health and safety standards through regular inspections and maintenance
- Create and maintain emergency response protocols specific to boarding scenarios
- Establish clear communication channels for reporting and addressing potential risks
- Maintain thorough documentation for off-campus activities and incident records
- Collaborate with security personnel to ensure boarding facilities are secure

**EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION**:

- Integrate experiential education principles throughout the boarding program
- Design meaningful learning experiences outside the traditional classroom
- Develop and lead domestic and international trips that enhance boarding experience
- Foster the development of life skills through structured and unstructured experiential learning

**LEARNER SUCCESS AND SAFEGUARDING**:

- Implement the school's behavior management and safeguarding systems effectively
- Communicate effectively with parents and follow school communication policies
- Ensure all child-safeguarding policies and procedures are followed with proper training
- Promote student awareness of safeguarding practices and their roles in self-protection

**STAFF AND STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT**:

- Hire, evaluate, supervise, and support the Boarding House Parents and staff
- Identify training needs and facilitate professional development opportunities
- Manage relationships with parents, providing regular updates on student well-being
- Oversee student leadership initiatives and community involvement

**MARKETING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING**:

- Develop marketing strategies to promote the boarding program internationally and locally
- Create compelling materials highlighting AISJ's boarding program benefits
- Collaborate with Advancement for student recruitment and retention
- Build strategic partnerships with community organizations