To apply for this position, please go to https://canacad.bamboohr.com/careers/75

Position: Head of Residential Life (to begin August 2026)

Reports to: High School Principal and Deputy Head of School

About Canadian Academy:

Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit, secular, gender-inclusive international school located in Kobe, Japan’s seventh largest city. CA is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), is an authorized three-programme International Baccalaureate World School, and is a member of TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools).

Canadian Academy faculty and staff inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students’ skills, promotes curiosity and love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. All Secondary students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-10, and most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 & 12, although 10-20% each year opt for a more personalized pathway to graduation that includes a mix of DP and other courses and leads to a CA Diploma.

CA offers students many opportunities for exploration in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, service, and more. In particular, CA’s vibrant athletics and performing arts programs are enriched by our participation in APAC, the Asia-Pacific Activities Conference, through which we partner and exchange with 11 other schools in the region. CA is the only APAC member school in Japan.

Position Summary:

While most of the 690 students at CA are day students, our campus is also home to a small boarding program with a current capacity of 40 students in Grades 9-12 (with plans to grow over the next several years). With the growth of our residential program comes opportunities for developing scalable systems and structures that ensure a safe, supportive, and enriching residential experience. This includes establishing clear policies and procedures, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging among boarding students (known as ‘dormies’ at CA), and expanding the academic, social, and co-curricular supports that contribute to student well-being.

The Head of Residential Life will play a central role in shaping a program that reflects CA’s values while preparing students for independence, leadership, and success beyond graduation. Reporting to the Deputy Head of School and High School Principal, the Head of Residential Life is responsible for establishing the vision and direction for Canadian Academy’s residential life program; creating and implementing policies, procedures and programs that ensure a safe, engaging, and supportive environment for all boarding students; and monitoring the quality of programs and outcomes and making adjustments as needed. They also collaborate with the school’s leadership team to ensure consistency and alignment of the residential program with the school’s priorities and Guiding Statements.

The Head of Residential Life leads a team that currently includes a full-time dorm leader who will be primarily responsible for student life, and a number of full- and part-time dorm parents, as well as a dorm nurse. This team is likely to grow as the boarding program expands, and one of the key responsibilities will be to recruit, train and supervise residential staff. The Head of Residential Life, in partnership with the Admissions department, serves as the primary spokesperson for the residential program when working with prospective and current families.

The ideal candidate is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of adolescent students, enjoys working with a diverse international community, and is passionate about fostering a strong, inclusive, and engaging residential experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership and Staff Supervision

• Cultivate a positive and collaborative work environment within the residential program.
• Recruit, train, and supervise residential staff, ensuring ongoing professional development.
• Work with school leadership to review and approve a residential staffing model that meets the program’s needs and reflects best practice.
• Provide leadership and oversight for residential staff, ensuring the creation of a strong sense of community among boarding students and staff.
• Maintain an active presence in the dormitories, working flexible hours to foster connections with students and ensure smooth transitions from day to evening programming.
• Serve as the on-call resource for emergency situations, working closely with the Deputy Head of School and other key administrators.

Boarding Recruitment and Admissions

• Partner with the Admissions department to promote and represent the residential program to prospective families and educational consultants.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for boarding at admissions events, open houses, school fairs, and virtual webinars.
• Represent Canadian Academy at domestic and international boarding fairs, including occasional travel.
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Communications team to develop promotional materials, videos, and messaging that showcase the residential program.
• Host campus tours and virtual meetings for prospective boarding families.
• Contribute to the evaluation of boarding applicants to ensure an appropriate fit for the program and community.

Residential Programming

• Develop and implement comprehensive residential life programming that supports students' academic, social, and emotional growth.
• Collaborate with school leadership to create cross-campus partnerships that enhance the boarding experience.

Student Support and Well-being

• Support and work closely with the Head of Boarding Student Life (dorm leader responsible for student support) and school-based Counselors to ensure the highest levels of student support, and effective collaboration with counselors, learning support specialists, nurses, etc.
• Build strong relationships with students through day-to-day participation in dorm life and with at least one duty in the staffing rotation.

Communication and Community Engagement

• Oversee regular communications with boarding parents/guardians, including newsletters and updates.
• Build strong relationships with residential students and their families, understanding their unique needs and interests.
• Act as a liaison between residential life, the Leadership Team, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Speak at school events and parent meetings, including orientations and family gatherings.
• Ensure clear communication of student support plans and residential expectations to faculty and staff involved in the boarding program.

Operations and Safety

• Oversee the management of residential facilities, coordinating maintenance and improvement efforts with campus operations staff.
• Partner with the school’s Finance Office to manage the residential program’s budget effectively.
• Work with Operations personnel to maintain a safe and secure residential environment.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• Five or more years of leadership experience in a residential program or related educational setting.

The successful candidate will have most or all of the following:

• Strong understanding of adolescent development and experience working with students in an international school environment. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, families, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and continuous learning in student support and residential life.
• Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.
• Experience in crisis management and emergency response.
• Strong organizational and management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple projects and responsibilities.
• Proficiency with technology, including Google Suite and student management systems.
• Cultural competency and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, international residential community.
• Level II and ongoing training in Child Safeguarding.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural, international student population, Canadian Academy actively seeks to recruit teachers from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in international school faculties. You are warmly encouraged to apply, and invited to reach out for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Canadian Academy offers competitive compensation and benefits for this role, including on-campus housing.