yK pao SChoolShanghai, China

direCtor of univerSity andCareerS CounSelling

Start date: auguSt 1, 2019WWW.yKpaoSChool.Cn

overvieW

YK Pao School is a pioneering bi-lingual international Chinese school. The school is a non-profit, private institution founded in 2007, in memory of shipping magnate Sir Yue-Kong Pao, the renowned Chinese businessman, statesman, and philanthropist. With over 1,200 students from China and overseas, the school offers a unique Year 1-12 educational program that integrates elements of Shanghai and international curricula, culminating in Years 9-12 with the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma programs, both of which are complemented by core components of the Shanghai curriculum. Pao School’s innovative Chinese-English immersion bilingual program nurtures the whole person—the entire emotional, social, physical, and intellectual being—and prepares students to become engaged and responsible global citizens of the 21st century.

At this time, YK Pao High School is seeking a new Director of University and Careers Counselling to influence and shape the maturation of an office that is guiding only its third group of seniors in the college process this academic year. The new Director will manage four colleagues and will report to High School Principal, Mark Bishop.

1The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

VisionTo build a world-class school for tomorrow’s China, educating global citizens and future leaders on a foundation of strong values and academic excellence.

2The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

Songjiang CampuS

Designed by British architects, the 57,000 square-metre High School campus is located in the Songjiang District and comprises four buildings for academics, athletics, performances, and residential life.

The Yang Chen Ning Learning Centre houses three libraries: the Great Room, the Reading Room, and the Learning Commons. In addition to its many classrooms, the campus also includes eight laboratories and a Student Centre. The Senior Study Centre is for the dedicated use of Senior Secondary students. It includes classrooms, meeting rooms, a library, the Oxygen Bar (for refreshments), and more.The sporting facilities include a running track, all-weather pitch, indoor gymnasium, fencing area, underground sports arena, and state-of-the-art indoor swimming pool. Arts facilities include the Black Box Theatre, outdoor amphitheater, and auditorium. There are three purpose-built art classrooms, a pottery room, a design lab, five music classrooms, as well as a dance studio.

The Residential Centre contains dormitories, music practice rooms, activity rooms, kitchens, game rooms, TV lounges, and the Day Student Centre.

To have a closer look at the High School facilities, click here.

Known as the cultural root of Shanghai, the Songjiang District has a population of roughly 1.6 million and contains many architectural relics. The district is located approximately 25 kilometers (16 mi) from Hongqiao International Airport and 70 kilometers (43 mi) from Pudong International Airport and is connected to downtown Shanghai by Line 9 of the Shanghai Metro. A new tram system which opened in December 2018 connects the school directly to the metro.

Fast FactsMissionDeveloping the whole person• Our students will develop intellectual,

social and emotional skills, strong character, and positive attitudes through a diverse range of learning environments and activities.

Passing on traditions of Chinese culture• Our students will gain a deep

understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture, including literature, history, philosophy, and art.

Fostering an international perspective• Our students will develop both

intercultural knowledge and skills to address issues and succeed on a global stage.

3The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

univerSity CounSelling offiCe

The Counselling team are based in a suite of spacious offices with a wealth of meeting rooms in the midst of the school. The mission of the University Counselling Office is to educate Pao School students and families on higher educational opportunities, help students navigate the vast selection of global colleges and university options, introduce them to schools and programs that best match their interests and abilities, and successfully assist students in the eventual application process.

Beginning in Year 9, services are offered to support students in their search for a university and to also identify worthwhile summer programs, internships, and a wide-range of other enrichment opportunities. In line with its whole person education philosophy, the University and Careers Counselling Office believes strongly that students have a diverse and wide range of talents. As such, there is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes time for students to make the next step in their educational journey.

In Year 9, students have a structured academic schedule that allows them to settle into the new routine. The first year in the Senior Secondary School is an opportunity for a fresh start, a time to try new activities, or delve deeper into what really interests students. The University Counselling Department is there to help the students get settled in and to begin thinking about the future.

In Year 10, students begin creating their own individual schedules and make major plans for the future. By the end of the year, many students will make decisions about which IB Diploma courses are most suited for them. Students and their parents will be introduced to Family Connection and will begin exploring the various tools that the platform has to offer. Through monthly workshops, the University Counselling Office will introduce a variety of topics, including testing, country profiles,

4The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

research tools for college searches, and writing resumes.

Year 11 is when the University Counselling program begins to play a more significant role. Pao School students should hit their stride academically as they begin more rigorous IB coursework. This is also the time for students to start seriously considering their future options with the support of University Counselling staff. Understanding and setting realistic expectations plays an important role in choosing potential future colleges for further study. For most students, going to college or university is the first time they will take charge of their own education, ultimately choosing their area of specialization, and determining where in the world they wish to pursue their studies.

To help guide students, university counsellors will begin by meeting with students individually, following with a family meeting to get an understanding of their personal and individual goals in terms of countries of interest and majors they may wish to pursue.

Year 12 is when all the skills students have gained over the years will help them in the application process. Together, each student, along with their parents and the university counsellor, will create a plan to apply to universities or explore other opportunities. While this is primarily a student-driven process, they will be given plenty of guidance and assistance.

In Year 12, students will attend individual meetings with a university counsellor for an opportunity to ask questions about their individual application process, obtain feedback on essays, and review application forms and deadlines. Students are also welcome to meet with university counsellors on a drop-in basis.

To see the School Profile for 2018-19, click here.

5The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

opportunitieS and ChallengeS

Because the school is relatively new, the University Counselling Office is still forming its approach and finding its voice as it works closely with students, their parents, and, in the majority of cases, agents hired by parents to assist students in the college admissions process. The Class of 2019 is the third graduating class, and expectations of superb placements at name-brand colleges and universities in the United States and the United Kingdom come with the territory.

The new Director must be a forceful and diplomatic advocate for the students in the process, recognizing the respective roles of all the parties while establishing a clear identity of the school to all stakeholders. The successful candidate must be a visible presence on campus, serving the students at every turn and placing an emphasis on more communication to parents. As well, the new Director must view the agents as partners in the process, not as adversaries. In short, the successful candidate must be a dynamic personality with a knack for managing people and no shortage of exceptional people skills.

YK Pao School views itself as a holistic institution, and the key for success for the new Director will be to blend a Western approach to college admissions (“best fit”) with the Eastern expectation for compelling outcomes for great Chinese students (who are all bilingual) and their parents (who for the most part speak only Chinese).

6The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

Key reSponSibilitieS

The new Director’s chief responsibilities include:

• Managing the other members of the Director of University and Careers Counseling Department, including allocation of tasks and responsibilities, routine supervision, providing support for relevant professional development, and completing performance appraisals;

• Promoting awareness and understanding of YK Pao School among the global university admissions community;

• Leading the program to counsel students effectively in the areas of career and university choices and related application processes;

• Ensuring that students receive appropriate and consistent advice from all members of the counseling department about appropriate university choices and effective applications processes;

• Coordinating representational visits to universities in China and internationally by counseling team members;

• Collaborating with colleagues in the Academic Affairs Office to advise students in the selection of academic courses;

• Leading the implementation of a parent education program to help parents understand applications processes, the role of parents, and the concept of “appropriate fit;” providing guidance for final application choices;

• Determining resources needed for the university and careers counseling program, and submitting a related annual budget proposal to the Executive Principal;

• Managing the annual departmental budget;• Meeting with students, individually and in groups, to talk about process and individual college

choices;

• Supporting the participation of students in standardized external test;• Facilitating visits by, and meetings with, university admissions representatives;• Liaising with university admissions offices throughout the year;• Overseeing the creation of the annual School Profile document;• Writing official school recommendation letters for students and preparing relevant necessary mid-

year and end-of-year reports;• Maintaining and sharing information about colleges and universities, including, tuition, scholarships,

and financial aid;• Staying aware of issues and trends in university admission, tertiary education, standardized testing;• Maintaining membership in, and/or connections with, relevant professional organizations such as

the College Board, the National Association of College Admission Counselors, the New England Association of College Admission Counselors, and International Association for College Admission Counseling;

• Providing relevant reports to the Executive Principal, Board of Governors, and other stakeholders, as required.

7The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

8The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com

deSired QualifiCationS

The school seeks candidates with the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in subject field;• Experience in the field of university counseling and/or admissions (preferably in an international

setting);• Understanding of international college admission’s processes (with emphasis on American and

British systems);• Experience with the IB Diploma Program;• Experience with web-based application assistance programs, e-Doc sending platforms, and

results databases used by the department;• A university degree and relevant professional counseling qualifications and/or certifications in

home country;• Bi-lingual ability (English and Mandarin Chinese) would be an advantage but is not a necessity;• Educators who show a devotion to their subject matter but also have a genuine interest in working

with young men and women;• Educators with excellent communication skills, who show initiative, and who can easily adapt to

change.

to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;• A current resumé;• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each

(references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:

John G. ClarkSenior Consultantjohn.clark@carneysandoe.com