Job Title: Academic Director

Reporting to: Center Director

Location: St. Petersburg, FL

Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION:The Academic Director is responsible for all operations concerning the academic program. Specifically, the Academic Director is responsible for the hiring, training, development and dismissal of instructional staff; the development and implementation of the curriculum; the testing, placement and evaluation of students; and the scheduling of classes. In the absence of the Center Director, the Academic Director is responsible for the operation of the Language Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Developing and conducting the academic program in such a manner that it meets all standards of ELS Language Centers standardized curriculum.
• Hiring, training and supervising of instructional staff.
• Providing substitute and/or regular classroom instruction.
• Maintaining the instructional budget by staying within instructional-hour guidelines.
• Ordering and maintaining all instructional materials and staying within the academic materials budget.
• Supervising the placement, testing and evaluation of students.
• Scheduling classes, teachers and students.
• Orienting new students to the academic program.
• Submitting required academic reports to universities and/or sponsors.
• Submitting required reports to the Corporate or District Office.
• Maintaining Center operations in the absence of the Center Director.
• Supervising the Assistant Academic Director.
• Assisting with the management of special programs as assigned.
• Performing other duties as necessary or assigned.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

The Standards of Performance for the Academic Director position are met when:

• Materials are purchased or developed for use in the classroom as necessary to supplement the ELS curriculum
• Curriculum materials and information are presented to the instructional staff and implemented in the classroom within the specified guidelines and time frame
• The ELS Student Survey results equal or exceed the system-wide average on the Academic Program category or, if not, improvement is being made over the previous year's results
• Action plans for those items which do not meet system-wide averages are developed and implemented
• Based on projected enrollment, a sufficient number of instructors is hired and oriented in accordance with company policy and in advance of the start of each session
• Up-to-date personnel files are maintained on all instructional staff. All personnel-related actions (onboarding, merit increases, terminations, etc.) are completed in BambooHR in an accurate and timely manner
• Instructors are observed a minimum of 3 times during their first year. Thereafter, instructors are observed a minimum of twice annually. Performance reviews are conducted in accordance with company guidelines.
• A minimum of one staff development in-service workshop is conducted each session. Additional training and support is provided for the instructional staff as needed. Teachers' meetings are held according to Center policy.
• Employee concerns are addressed in a timely manner and per company guidelines
• Qualified substitutes are hired to cover for instructors who are absent. Classes are taught as necessary when substitutes are not available or when lower enrollment warrants it.
• The instructional-hour budget and the academic materials budget are maintained within the approved guidelines.
• An inventory of all instructional materials is done each session and items are ordered so as to ensure their availability in sufficient quantities when needed.
• Instructional materials, including books, teacher laptops, LTC computers and more, are professional in appearance and maintained in usable condition and/or good working order.
• Students are tested and placed in the appropriate levels in accordance with instructional standards. Student placements are adjusted as necessary following the start of the session. Students are given evaluations of their progress throughout the session and are counseled on how to succeed in learning English.
• Class schedules and class lists are completed in keeping with instructional standards and are disseminated within the established Center time frames.
• Instructors are given sufficient notice of the classes they will be teaching to allow adequate time to prepare.
• Information about the academic program is provided to all new students during orientation.
• Student progress and academic reports are mailed to universities as requested and/or to sponsors by the second Friday of the subsequent session.
• Reports, curricular updates, Class List On-Line, and other information requested by the Corporate or District Office, are submitted accurately and on schedule 90% of the time.
• Normal operating procedures are followed in the absence of the Center Director.
• A job description is provided for and the ADD is supervised so as to ensure the standards of performance are met.
• In the absence of an Executive Program Coordinator, the Academic Director assists with the management of special programs as assigned by the Center Director.
• The Academic Director performs other duties as necessary or assigned by the Center Director.

LIMITS OF AUTHORITY

• Cannot change the standardized ELS Language Centers curriculum without the prior approval of the District Director and Director of Academic Affairs.
• Cannot make company policy decisions.
• Cannot hire or terminate an employee reporting directly to the Academic Director without the prior approval of the Center Director.
• Cannot sign leases or contracts.
• Cannot participate as a manager or consultant in any other business enterprise without the prior approval of the District Director and Director of Academic Affairs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: BA from an accredited college/university and TEFL Certificate with equivalent experience required; MA in TESOL, Applied Linguistics or related field preferred.

Experience: A minimum of two years teaching experience in the field of ESL and a minimum of one year of experience as an administrator in charge of teachers and teaching-related responsibilities. Curriculum planning and implementation experience is helpful.

COMPETENCIES:The Academic Director must be service oriented and have the ability to work to meet the needs of teachers and students in a close-knit academic setting. The Academic Director must also be flexible and creative in dealing with immediate problems of scheduling and program requirements, sensitive to the needs of both teachers and students, and committed to conducting a quality academic program within budgetary guidelines. Good communication and organizational skills, and the ability to handle a wide variety of job duties are essential, as well.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITITES: Supervises instructional staff.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:Minimum amount of travel

SALARY:$48,500 per year

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms and exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects

WORK ENVIRONMENT:This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
Please note, the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by most people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities and requirements. Other duties maybe assigned at Supervisor discretion.

ELS is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

About ELS, ILSC & Greystone College

A world leader in language education & vocational training, ILSC Education Group, which opened its first language school in Vancouver, Canada in 1991 and Greystone College in 2002, offers life-changing educational experiences in Canada, Australia, and India, some of the world’s most attractive and popular English-speaking work and study destinations. Since opening its first school in Vancouver, BC, Canada, ILSC has become a world leader in language and career training and has grown to include 9 incredible locations around the world, in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal, Canada; New Delhi, India; and Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, Australia.

In early 2022, ILSC Education Group joined forces with ELS Education Services, bringing together over 100 years of combined experience delivering life-changing learning experiences to international students. Since 1961, when ELS Educational Services opened its first school in Washington DC, ELS has developed a global reputation for delivering top-quality English language programs. ELS now has the most extensive network of on-campus English language programs and University partners, across the USA.

Our mission is to provide our global community with transformative learning, living and work experiences by offering the finest language, career and higher education programs.

Our Core Values

PASSION:To enrich & transform people’s lives

INNOVATION:To evolve through creativity & diversity.

RESPECT:To treat everyone with compassion & dignity.

COLLABORATION: To build community & achieve more together

INTEGRITY: To act responsibly & ethically in everything we do

ELS, ILSC and Greystone College are committed to providing a barrier-free environment and are proud to be Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employers. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact HR at HR@ilsc.com.