Director of Residential Program - Exciting Founding Opportunity in Shenzhen Job Title Director of Residential Program Location Shenzhen, China Salary Range and Package Details Excellent salary of 470,000 RMB per annum Housing allowance provided Comprehensive medical insurance Relocation allowance Annual return flights to home country Start Date August 2026 Details on the School Background Our client is an ambitious, non-profit bilingual K-12 school in Shenzhen that opened its doors in 2025, backed by prominent educational foundations and technology leaders. As a young and dynamic institution, the school is experiencing exciting growth and is now preparing to launch its residential programme in 2027. The school delivers world-class bilingual education that seamlessly integrates Chinese and international curricula, with a progressive educational philosophy focused on developing well-rounded, globally competent learners. With state-of-the-art facilities, a supportive learning environment, and a commitment to educational innovation and excellence, the school provides an ideal setting for pioneering educational leaders. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking institution at a pivotal stage of its development and to shape the residential experience from the ground up. The school community embraces collaboration, creativity, and a growth mindset, making it the perfect environment for visionary educational leaders who thrive on building something exceptional. About the Role This is a rare founding opportunity to establish and lead a residential programme at an innovative bilingual school. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing all aspects of the boarding provision ready for opening in 2027. This includes developing residential policies and procedures, creating a pastoral care framework, recruiting and training residential staff, designing the residential curriculum and activities programme, establishing safeguarding protocols, and building a vibrant boarding community. This role requires strategic vision, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of residential education in an international context. Who Will Thrive Here Educators who will excel in this role are experienced residential leaders with a proven track record of building successful boarding programmes. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial leader who thrives on creating something new, demonstrates exceptional organisational and strategic planning skills, and possesses the vision to establish a residential programme that sets new standards in bilingual education. Those who succeed here are collaborative, culturally intelligent leaders who understand both Eastern and Western approaches to pastoral care and residential life. Successful candidates have worked extensively in Chinese bilingual schools, demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills, and are passionate about creating nurturing, inclusive residential communities where students flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. If you're an accomplished residential education professional seeking a once-in-a-career opportunity to build a boarding programme from scratch, this position offers an exceptional platform for innovation and lasting impact. About Shenzhen Shenzhen is one of China's most dynamic and modern cities, often described as the country's innovation and technology capital. Transformed from a fishing village to a global tech hub in just four decades, Shenzhen offers an exciting blend of cutting-edge development and rich cultural experiences. The city boasts excellent infrastructure, world-class dining, vibrant arts and entertainment scenes, beautiful parks, and proximity to stunning beaches and hiking trails. With its subtropical climate, Shenzhen enjoys mild winters and warm summers. The city is incredibly well-connected, with direct borders to Hong Kong and excellent transport links throughout the Pearl River Delta region. Shenzhen's thriving international community, entrepreneurial spirit, and forward-thinking culture make it an exciting place for educators seeking to be at the forefront of educational innovation. The cost of living is reasonable compared to other major Chinese cities, and the quality of life is exceptional with modern amenities, international schools for families, and endless opportunities for exploration and cultural immersion. Who We Are - chk Education chk Education is a leading boutique search firm specialising in placing exceptional educators in international schools worldwide. We pride ourselves on our personalised approach, taking time to understand both our candidates and our client schools to ensure the perfect match. With extensive experience in international education recruitment, we provide comprehensive support throughout the application process and beyond, ensuring a smooth transition for teachers embarking on their international careers. Our commitment to quality, integrity, and building lasting relationships sets us apart in the education recruitment sector. Please note: Due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. In some of the countries where our client schools operate, there are upper age restrictions related to the issuance of visas and work permits, so if you have any questions regarding this, please don't hesitate to ask. Our Commitment to Safeguarding chk Education utilises safer recruitment procedures to ensure compliance with child protection requirements in all employment processes. The policies for safer recruitment are aligned with best practice and the International Taskforce for Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective practices in relation to child protection and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject, but not limited to, various background and security checks including receipt of satisfactory references, proof of qualifications, identification and police checks, including overseas checks.

Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Education or related field (Master's degree highly desirable) Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or equivalent teaching qualification Minimum of ten years' experience in education, with substantial residential/boarding programme leadership experience Previous experience working in a bilingual school in China is essential Demonstrated experience in establishing or significantly developing residential programmes Strong understanding of both Chinese and international educational frameworks and boarding models Essential Skills Proven expertise in residential programme design, development, and management Strategic planning and project management capabilities for programme establishment Deep understanding of pastoral care, safeguarding, and student wellbeing in residential settings Strong leadership skills with ability to recruit, train, and manage residential staff teams Excellent budget management and resource allocation abilities Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills across cultures Experience developing residential policies, procedures, and safeguarding protocols Ability to create engaging residential activities and enrichment programmes Crisis management and problem-solving skills Cultural intelligence and sensitivity in working with diverse students, families, and staff Understanding of both Chinese and international approaches to boarding education Ability to build partnerships with parents and the wider school community Strong organisational skills and attention to detail Fluency in English (Mandarin proficiency highly desirable) Safeguarding Skills and Qualities Required for International Teachers Given the nature of residential education, candidates must demonstrate the highest standards of safeguarding commitment and expertise. Essential qualities include: Expert understanding of child protection policies and best practice in residential safeguarding Proven ability to create and maintain safe residential environments for young people Experience developing comprehensive safeguarding protocols for boarding settings Ability to recognise signs of potential abuse, neglect, or wellbeing concerns in residential contexts Commitment to maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times Deep cultural sensitivity and awareness of safeguarding in international and Chinese contexts Excellent judgement, integrity, and ethical conduct in all interactions with students and staff Experience with recruitment and vetting processes for residential staff Willingness to undertake comprehensive safeguarding training and ensure all staff are properly trained Leadership capability in promoting a robust safeguarding culture throughout the residential community Understanding of online safety and digital protection for residential students Experience managing safeguarding concerns and working with external agencies when necessary Commitment to creating inclusive, respectful residential environments where all students feel safe