Director of Residential Life

Role Summary

The Director of Residential Life has overall responsibility for nurturing and developing a rewarding, caring, and safe residential experience for all students at UWC ISAK Japan, and also for the adults who work at the school. The implementation of rigorous safeguarding policies is an important part of this role. The Director of Residential Life works collaboratively with all faculty and staff to ensure the smooth running of the residences. The Director of Residential Life has line management responsibilities for the Residential Team and the student Residential Assistants. The Director of Residential Life works closely with the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral, and with the school counselors, nurses, and doctor.

The Director of Residential Life must be an excellent role model in all respects, particularly in the demonstration of character in a residential setting. They must remain abreast of developments in education, and liaise regularly with the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral and the appropriate faculty in promoting and implementing, where needed, relevant areas of current research in learning and pastoral care.

The Director of Residential Life reports to the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral.

*NB The days of work may involve the work week including Saturday and/or Sunday with a weekend 2 or 3 days continuous on alternative days.

Current Contract Period

August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2027. Thereafter employment may be renewed by agreement.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Leadership

• To provide a safe and caring environment that enriches the lives of the students in the School’s care and promotes student welfare.
• To promote the ethos of responsibility, self-efficacy, inclusivity, social responsibility and compassion within a warm and supportive environment.
• To accept the responsibility to coach students to achieve purpose in moments of uncertainty and to engage with student growth using a coaching mindset and methodology.
• Takes turns with other members of the SLT (education) in being on call for the residential team to respond to emergencies.
• To prioritize the safeguarding, welfare, health and safety of students and to be familiar with the safeguarding and child protection requirements as well as relevant school policies.
• Coordinate with the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral the implementation of Health and Safety policies and best practice Safeguarding protocols
• Oversee matters of discipline ensuring accurate record keeping and communication with parents when necessary.
• To contribute to the review and development of policies, and to implement them as required. Help produce up-to-date information for Handbooks for staff, parents or boarders, as required by the Leadership team.

Residential

• Oversee the residential program, including Boarding staff work schedule and activity planning and logistics for boarding students. Lead daily operations of the boarding houses, maintaining a nurturing environment focused on student wellbeing and education.
• Manage, train, and develop boarding staff, ensuring clear understanding of their responsibilities in student care.
• To assist in the selection of the residential team, and to attend interviews and contribute to the interviewing process as requested by the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral.
• Lead regular staff meetings and professional development sessions for boarding faculty to ensure consistent approaches to school expectations among House and Duty mentors.
• To keep records as appropriate.
• Prepare and coordinate events and initiatives to foster community and student engagement, including  the residential aspects of Orientation, and Peer Buddies Program.
• Facilitate the selection and training of Resident Advisors (RAs) and Peer Support club to promote leadership growth and personal development.
• To facilitate the development of the Life Skills Program.
• To facilitate the development of the Advisory Program and ensure it integrates with the Life Skills Program.
• Follow up and locate students from houses who are identified as being absent from period 1 and 2 classes with no explanation.
• Follow up level 2 breaches of community agreements and assist Deputy Head of School, Pastoral with incidents that require further investigation.
• To assist with others in the monitoring of students identified as needing a 24-hour watch for suicide prevention.
• In collaboration with Deputy Head of School, Pastoral and Head of Learning, and following their lead, to help to implement a program of communication and education for parents (including through the Parents’ Association), to assist them in supporting their child as necessary.
• To coordinate the upkeep of boarding facilities in consultation with the Residential Team and Facilities Team, including the opening and closing of residences.
• To liaise with Facilities to ensure that all houses comply with health, safety and fire regulations.
• Oversee all student leave and holidays arrangements. Prepares the Holiday Break schedule for Residential Staff and students. Including Orah passes and Health Center coverage.
• To manage the Residential Program budget as owner (with final approver being the Deputy Head of School, Pastoral).

Meetings

• To facilitate weekly Residential Team meetings.
• To run Residential Assistant meetings.
• To attend Student Support meetings.
• Peer Support Club

General Responsibilities

• To live on campus and assume the role of House Mentor with stipend.
• To coordinate the advisory program.
• To serve as an advisor.
• To be a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• To attend school events as often as possible (including concerts, plays, recitals, assemblies, etc.).
• Driving students

Other Responsibilities

• Other duties may be assigned from time to time by the Head of School or by the Deputy Head, Pastoral.

   

  Personality / Successful Traits

  • Resonates with the UWC ISAK leadership model and willing to be an active participant in it
  • Curious about and open to exploring mindfulness and design thinking in personal and professional life
  • Positive; enthusiastic about creating and contributing to a school that is evolving
  • Pragmatic and resourceful; able to identify needs and willing to address them
  • Patient and flexible; comfortable working in a school that is growing and evolving
  • Self aware and motivated; engaged in continuous reflection and improvement
  • Able to work independently and complete tasks without supervision while respecting existing roles and structures within the school
  • Able to work in a team; enjoys collaborative teaching among different fields and inspired to work interdisciplinarily
  • Enjoys a residential lifestyle; understands the demands and flexibility required of adults in a residential environment, including needs that come up unexpectedly.

   

  Safeguarding

  All employees must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, a teacher becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, they must report those concerns to the DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) or DDSL (Deputy Designated safeguarding Lead) immediately.

   

  How To Apply

  Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

  • Cover Letter
  • CV (including any experience teaching IBDP, listing the subject and years taught)
  • Copy of teaching credentials
  • If you are selected for an interview, we will ask you to submit the following: diploma related to the subject to be taught (with relevant transcript), diploma from highest degree earned (with relevant transcript).
  • Note: Successful candidates will need to complete a criminal background check (arranged and paid for by the school) before the final employment contract is issued.