US Director of Academics

Description

The Kinkaid School is seeking a dedicated and innovative Upper School Director of Academics starting in the 2025-2026 school year to support the curriculum and teaching and learning of the Upper School. 

The Upper School Director of Academics will be called on to promote high levels of learning in an engaging and effective manner using various teaching methods and curriculum resources and must embrace and help advance the principles set out in Kinkaid’s core documents: mission and core values, DEI commitment and strategic plan, Upper School Educational Philosophy and Portrait of a Teacher. 

Reporting to the Head of Upper School, the Upper School Director of Academics is a member of the Upper School Leadership Team and the all-school Curriculum Committee.

As an Upper School administrator, an ideal candidate will have leadership experience designing and evaluating curriculum, collaborating with and coaching faculty members, presenting to multiple audiences, and leading strategic priorities across the division with real-time problem solving, effective communication, and planning. The ideal candidate will have experience leaning into innovation such as Generative AI in order to inspire students to learn in a rapidly changing world.  As a teacher, an ideal candidate will have a proven focus on developing deep learning, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking skills in Upper School students in any discipline. 

The Upper School Director of Academics will work closely with the Head of Upper School and Assistant Head of Upper School as a thought partner and will support the work of the Upper School Leadership Team with the Upper School faculty as a whole, while acting as a visible supporter of school events and programs. 

The Kinkaid School is a co-educational non-sectarian day school enrolling over 1,480 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Located on a sixty-five-acre campus in the heart of Houston, Texas, the School offers a thriving intellectual community in the midst of a vibrant, urban, diverse culture.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote academic strategic initiatives and institutional goals within the division
• Actively engage in real-time administrative problem solving, especially in the absence of the Head and Assistant Head of Upper School
• Collaborate with Kinkaid Middle School to support academic continuity from 8th to 9th grade
• Lead and support responsible and innovative use of Generative AI in the Upper School in partnership with the Director of Technology
• Manage the process for Upper School curriculum development and review
• Assess, recommend, and lead initiatives that create alignment across departments and teams 
• Provide pedagogical support as a thought partner and coach
• In collaboration with the Head of Upper School and Department Chairs, plan faculty professional development
• Receive and address student, parent, and faculty or staff feedback on the academic programs in the Upper School
• Participate in co-creation of master schedule and student schedules and serve as registrar to manage ongoing schedule changes in student information system
• Retrieve and analyze academic data 
• Teach one academic class in any discipline
• Advise approximately 10 students in a Community Group
• Engage in the school community by attending academic, student life, athletic and arts events

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an academic discipline, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• At least five years of experience teaching upper school students 
• At least two years of significant administrative experience as a department chair, academic dean, or a role with equivalent responsibility  
• Experience with Axiom and Canvas or other student information and learning management systems
• Desire to be a positive, growth-oriented, and solutions-focused leader within the faculty
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Skill in conflict management and team dynamics
• Excellent communication skills, verbally and in writing
• Eagerness to grow professionally and remain current within the field
• Commitment to confidentiality
• Demonstrate Kinkaid’s four core values (honesty, responsibility, respect, and kindness) in interactions with all members of the community

The Kinkaid School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law, The Kinkaid School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

Submit all correspondence including your cover letter, resume, and application through The Kinkaid School application portal. Please no emails or phone calls to submit your candidacy or show interest.