Academic Director, IB Diploma Programme
LUYA International High School · Longtan, Taoyuan City, Taiwan · Full-time · On-site
About LUYA International High School
LUYA International High School is a private school in Longtan, Taoyuan City, offering the IB Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Now entering our second year of operation, we have recently been authorized as an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme — a milestone that reflects our commitment to academic excellence, international-mindedness, and inquiry-led learning.
We are now seeking an experienced and visionary Academic Director to lead our IB Diploma Programme from its inaugural cohort through to graduation and beyond. This is a defining role at a defining moment in the school's growth.
The Role
The Academic Director, IB DP holds overall academic and operational leadership of the Diploma Programme at LUYA. Reporting directly to the Head of School and sitting on the senior leadership team, the postholder will be responsible for programme design, faculty development, the student academic experience, and ongoing alignment with IB standards and practices.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an educator who wants to shape an IB programme from the ground up — building culture, systems, and outcomes in a school that is well-resourced, ambitious, and deeply invested in international education.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic vision, implementation, and continuous improvement of the IB Diploma Programme
- Oversee curriculum development and articulation across all six subject groups, including the Core (TOK, CAS, Extended Essay)
- Work closely with the MYP leadership team to ensure strong vertical alignment and a coherent MYP-to-DP transition for students
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of IB DP teachers
- Plan and budget for IB-mandated professional development and ensure all faculty meet IB training requirements
- Serve as the primary liaison with the IB Organization and uphold full compliance with IB standards and practices
- Oversee internal and external assessment, IB exam coordination, and the predicted grades process
- Guide students through university pathway planning in partnership with the international counselling team
- Cultivate a culture of inquiry, academic integrity, and international-mindedness across the high school
- Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, accreditation cycles, and policy development
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in Education or a relevant subject discipline
- A minimum of five years teaching experience within the IB Diploma Programme
- Demonstrated IB leadership experience as a DP Coordinator, Head of Faculty, or equivalent
- Deep familiarity with IB standards and practices, programme evaluation, and the authorization process
- Strong understanding of the DP Core: TOK, the Extended Essay, and CAS
- Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Mandarin is a significant advantage
- Experience in international, bilingual, or cross-cultural school settings
Preferred Qualifications
- IB workshop leader, site visitor, or examiner experience
- Experience launching or leading a new IB programme through authorization and the first graduating cohort
- Familiarity with the MYP and the MYP-to-DP articulation
- Knowledge of university admissions pathways in the UK, US, Australia, and/or Hong Kong
- Familiarity with East Asian educational contexts and the expectations of Taiwanese families
What We Offer
- A senior leadership position in a fast-growing, internationally focused school
- A genuine opportunity to shape a programme from its foundations
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
- Relocation assistance and housing allowance for overseas candidates
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health coverage and annual flight allowance
- A collaborative leadership team and a supportive, well-resourced school environment
Location
Longtan is a green, well-connected district in southern Taoyuan City, offering a calmer pace of life than central Taipei while remaining close to the wider metropolitan area, Taoyuan International Airport, and the Hsinchu science corridor. The district is known for its tea-farming heritage, parks, and growing international community — an attractive base for educators with families, and for those seeking a balance of professional opportunity and quality of life.
