ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Atlanta International School (AIS) offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum to all students, from 3K through grade 12. Our challenging academic programs develop internationally-minded, critical-thinking students able to take complex and often disparate knowledge, concepts and skills, and forge these into new and unique ways of solving problems. We provide a rigorous education in a diverse, multicultural, multilinguistic community where the reality and hope of human potential are in action. 

Our mission at AIS is to develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better. All AIS employees believe deeply in the potential of each student, value critical thinking (their own and students’) and know learning can be fun and exciting. AIS offers an incredible spirit of community and diversity of perspectives that come from students, families, and employees representing more than 90 nationalities and over 60 languages.

JOB PURPOSEThe Head of College Counseling understands, shares, and implements the mission, vision for learning, core values, and strategic plan of the school. In particular, the Head of College Counseling must provide overall leadership and management of college counseling. The Head of College Counseling is expected to cultivate a collaborative and supportive environment that centers students. Through the Head of College Counseling’s leadership, the college counseling team provides comprehensive, individualized college counseling services to Upper School students, with a particular focus on highly selective admission processes in the US and internationally. 

FLSA: ExemptReports to: Head of Secondary SchoolDivision: Secondary SchoolStart Date: July 1, 2024 (with transition expectations in May and June)Application Deadline: March 22, 2024

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership

• Provides leadership in developing and executing goals within the Secondary School strategic plan. 
• Committed to a collaborative, human centered, and data informed team approach. This includes understanding trends and strategies in the college admissions process in order to be able to provide precise, highly customized academic and college counseling services. 
• Promotes a spirit of inquiry and continuous improvement. 
• Actively cultivates a culture where there is high trust, a sense of belonging, mutual accountability, intercultural understanding, and a balance of focusing on academic rigor with wellbeing. 
• Partners effectively with the Head of School Counseling, IB Curriculum Coordinators, Upper School Principal, Director of Community and Belonging, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Director of Innovation. 
• Ensures that equity, inclusion, and belonging are integral components of student experiences within college counseling. 
• Understands and appreciates the interconnectedness of the teams within the Secondary School and across the whole school from 3K to Grade 12.
• Acts as a proactive and engaged member of the US and global university admissions communities.

Organizational Management

• Effective strategic planning requires follow-through and a strong sense of accountability.
• Adept in management skills so that the college counseling team best supports students and parents in the university admissions process. This includes:
  • partnering on the course selection process for Grade 10 students;
  • planning, designing, and implementing college counseling programs and events such as parent coffees, college visits to AIS, CIS International University Fair, Senior Day, and Honors Assembly;
  • providing college list recommendations, holistic essay review, personalized recommendation letter writing, academic and standardized testing advice, and general admission advice. 
  • facilitating student applications for scholarships, financial aid, and national testing.
• Organizes and manages data, systems, and records with a high level of confidentiality.
• Develops and maintains the college counseling budget. 
• Utilizes strong informational technology skills, including Google Suite, Scoir, and emerging technologies such as generative AI.

People Management

• Provides effective leadership and management of the college counseling team, which includes supporting individual growth and development through the Professional Learning Program (PLP).
• Ensures that international students and parents/guardians understand the United States college admissions process. 
• Effectively supports all students who aspire to attend international universities.

Professional Development

• Engages in professional development opportunities, such as visiting colleges and universities throughout the academic year and attending international, national and regional college admissions counseling conferences.
• Solicits feedback about leadership effectiveness in their role as the Head of College Counseling.
• Significant involvement in professional organizations. 

Communication and Community Relations 

• Maintains high visibility and accessibility for students, teachers, parents, and other community members. This includes a willingness to serve as the liaison between the College Counseling Office and the broader AIS community
• Regularly communicates with Upper School families regarding the college admissions process and provides regular college counseling updates to school leadership and the Board of Trustees. 
• Ensures the timely dissemination of college counseling information to students, parents, and teachers through appropriate sources. 
• Builds and fosters strong relationships with selective college admissions offices throughout the United States and abroad. 
• Demonstrates effective and appropriate counseling, listening, organizational, and verbal and written communication skills. 
• Collaborates with the communications team to disseminate information about college admissions.

Individual College Counseling 

• Personally counsels and manages the college counseling search and application process for approximately 30-35 seniors each year, in addition to academic and college counseling support for Grades 10-12 students. 
• Writes highly personalized letters of recommendation for high school seniors and guide teachers in their letter of recommendation writing process

REQUIREMENTS 

• Exemplify the IB learner profile traits
• Prior leadership experience is essential and preferably with five or more years of experience in college admissions counseling within an independent school college admission office. 
• An adaptive, collaborative, and relational style is essential within a fast-paced, varied work environment that includes high volume responsibility. 
• Comprehensive understanding of the college admission process both in the US and internationally along with a demonstrated ability in networking in local, national, and/or global communities is preferred.
• Ability to travel to conferences and college visits throughout the year; and a willingness to work nights and weekends.
• A commitment to equity and inclusion, intercultural understanding, inquiry, and concept-based pedagogy is essential, as is a willingness to adapt and develop pedagogy to meet the needs of all learners.
• A US passport holder or legally able to work in the United States.

KEY ROLE COMPETENCIES

• Inclusive
• Open-minded
• Strong intercultural communication and organizational skills
• Builds relationships and rapport 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Caring
• Proactive
• Creative and critical thinker
• Reflective
• Principled
• Self-motivated 
• Systems thinker