JOB SUMMARY:

The Academic Director is not only a guardian of academic standards, but also a visionary leader who bridges pedagogy with technology. This role inspires, empowers, and transforms the way teachers teach and students learn at YOLA. By aligning academic innovation with YOLA’s mission, the Academic Director ensures our programs set benchmarks for quality, relevance, and future readiness.

Role Vision: Lead the Future of English Learning

Champion academic excellence while pioneering innovative approaches to teaching and learning in an AI-enabled, digital era - ensuring YOLA remains future-ready and globally competitive.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Teacher Training & Development & Assessment

• Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality teachers aligned with YOLA’s standards and values.
• Foster a culture of continuous professional growth through training, mentoring, and classroom observations.
• Implement teacher evaluation systems that celebrate excellence and support improvement.
• Optimize teaching schedules for both efficiency and teacher well-being.
• Standardize lesson planning and teaching practices across all centers to ensure consistency and quality.

2. Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment

• Establish robust systems to track and elevate student progress and performance.
• Implement personalized learning paths and targeted interventions to maximize success.
• Leverage data insights to enhance curriculum and teaching effectiveness.
• Support teachers in raising passing rates through data-driven coaching and strategies.
• Ensure every YOLA class is joyful, engaging, and meaningful for students.
• Standardize support classes and student services for maximum impact within budget.

3. Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Drive curriculum innovation that balances academic rigor with modern, student-centered approaches.
• Integrate digital tools and fresh pedagogical methods to enrich learning experiences.
• Ensure course content is consistently updated, relevant, and high-quality.

4. Curriculum & Program Development

• Align academic strategies with YOLA’s business goals to drive sustainable growth.
• Build scalable policies and processes while ensuring compliance with accreditation and global standards.
• Anticipate workforce and resource needs to support expansion and transformation.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to enhance student and parent satisfaction.

5. Innovation & Future-Ready Academic Leadership

• Champion the thoughtful integration of edtech tools (LMS, adaptive learning, digital content).
• Harness data and analytics to unlock deeper insights into learning outcomes.
• Pilot and scale new learning models (hybrid and app-supported) to expand YOLA’s reach and impact.
• Promote the responsible use of AI to empower teachers and personalize student learning.
• Partner with product and technology teams to align innovation with pedagogy and business strategy.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s or PhD in TESOL, Education, Applied Linguistics, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of proven experience in academic leadership, teacher development, or curriculum innovation.
• Demonstrated success in raising academic quality and student outcomes at scale.
• Deep knowledge of international English proficiency standards and assessment systems.
• Strong experience with blended learning, educational technology, and LMS platforms.
• Tech-savvy educator, passionate about leveraging digital tools to transform learning.
• Innovative mindset with confidence in leading pilots, experimentation, and new models.
• Data-literate and globally minded, with the ability to translate insights into action.
• Solid awareness of AI applications in education and the ability to guide responsible adoption.