Zurich International School
Zurich International School is an inclusive non-profit day school located in the Greater Zurich area. We offer comprehensive bilingual and international educational programs for local and foreign national students aged 3 to 18.
Position: Director of Inclusion and Challenge
The Director of Inclusion and Challenge is a key player in crafting personalized, inclusive, and appropriately challenging learning experiences for all ZIS students. This strategic leader oversees a well-established learning support framework, English as an Additional Language (EAL) programs, and allied services. Responsibilities include two major whole-school initiatives:
- Developing a coherent approach to challenge and differentiation for high-ability learners.
- Designing data systems that promote ethical and effective use of evidence to enhance learning outcomes.
In addition to leading the department, the Director will provide cross-campus guidance to ensure consistent, equitable, and aligned student support programming, serving as a vital advisor to the Leadership Team on matters of inclusion, challenge, and well-being. This initially defined two-year role may evolve as the challenge and data systems mature.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Program Development
- Align and lead Student Support Services across campuses, including learning support, EAL, counseling, and psychological services.
- Oversee the admissions process for students with previously identified learning variations.
- Facilitate coherence across divisions through regular campus visits, faculty meetings, and program reviews.
- Ensure that student support programming is aligned with the ZIS Mission and curricular goals, contributing to whole-child learning.
- Research and advocate for best practices in inclusion, challenge, and student wellness.
- Design and implement systems for tracking and responding to individual learner needs, including IEPs, screening tools, and accommodations.
- Chair crisis management and counseling teams to enhance our holistic support for students.
- Stay updated on educational trends and research to drive innovation and enhance instruction.
2. Challenge & Differentiation Leadership
- Develop and maintain a mission-aligned approach to ensure high-ability students are engaged, challenged, and supported.
- Embed differentiated teaching practices across grade levels through coaching, program design, and faculty development.
- Collaborate with divisional principals and curriculum leaders to integrate challenge into curriculum planning and pedagogy.
3. Educational Data & Evidence-Informed Practice
- Establish systems for collecting and analyzing learning data to guide teaching and program design.
- Partner with divisional leaders to ensure that data systems enhance instructional decision-making and contribute to school improvement.
- Approach data in alignment with ZIS values, prioritizing student growth and well-being.
4. Leadership of Personnel & Operations
- Supervise and evaluate student support faculty and program leaders, including hiring and professional growth.
- Coordinate professional development in inclusive education and social-emotional well-being.
- Manage the departmental budget and resource allocation across programs and campuses.
- Regularly update handbooks and policies related to student support and inclusion.
5. Communication, Collaboration, and Community Engagement
- Serve as a collaborative leader across campuses, engaging with support staff, faculty, and families.
- Maintain clear communication regarding strategic plans, program updates, and changes related to the role.
- Represent Student Support Services within the Senior Leadership Team and external forums.
- Keep the Student Support section of the ZIS website updated with current information.
- Cultivate partnerships with local educational psychologists, therapists, and specialists to enhance our internal services.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Demonstrated expertise in differentiated instruction, inclusion, and curriculum leadership from PreSchool to Grade 12.
- Proven leadership experience in international school contexts, including system-level or cross-divisional coordination.
- In-depth understanding of Universal Design for Learning, multi-tiered systems of support, and advanced learning needs.
- Experience in developing and implementing educational data systems.
- Proven track record in supervising staff and leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong facilitation, coaching, and adult learning skills.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and digital literacy skills.
- Master’s degree in Special Education (or a specialist certification) with a minimum of five years of leadership experience preferred.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.