SUMMARY

Shanghai American School (SAS) stands as a premier English-language day school in Shanghai, serving expatriate families with a comprehensive American curriculum from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. As one of Shanghai’s few independent, non-profit, coeducational institutions, SAS operates under the oversight of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau and Education Commission, while being guided by a unique parent-led governance model—every SAS parent automatically becomes a member of the governing Association.

With two campuses located on opposite sides of Shanghai’s Huangpu River—one in Pudong (the east side) and one in Puxi (the west side) offering complete pre-kindergarten to grade 12 programs, SAS has established itself as China’s largest international school, home to over 2,900 students and 682 faculty and staff. Both high schools feature extensive AP offerings and the full IB diploma program, reflecting our commitment to academic excellence.

SAS seeks an elementary vice principal (PK-grade 2) for the Puxi Campus, beginning July 2025. Reporting to the elementary school principal, this leader will oversee educational programs and community engagement for grades PK-3 through grade 2. The role involves close collaboration with the principal, and elementary vice principal (grades 3-5), as well as academic and operational teams to ensure students have access to exceptional learning opportunities and appropriate social-emotional support.

The successful candidate will help advance SAS’s mission of fostering integrity, compassion, and lifelong learning while leading a program that embraces authentic problem-solving and community engagement. This position offers the opportunity to influence early childhood education at one of Asia’s most established international schools, working within a supportive and resource-rich environment.

The position includes a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that supports a comfortable lifestyle with significant savings potential. SAS maintains high standards of compensation, reflecting its commitment to attracting and retaining talented educators. As one of Asia’s most established international schools, SAS balances attention to individual student needs with rigorous academic standards. The school values diversity and actively promotes equity and inclusion, creating a sense of belonging for all community members. Solid financial stewardship enables SAS to maintain resource-rich learning environments while offering competitive compensation. Leadership at SAS emphasizes collaboration and innovation in international education.

12M & Ed Tech Recruiting is running the search on behalf of SAS. Applications received by January 12, 2025 will receive priority review.  For application instructions and the full job opportunity statement, please visit:

                  www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/SAS/VP

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Priority Deadline: January 12, 2025

Initial Client Review: January

Virtual Semifinal Round: Early February

Virtual Final Round: Mid-to-late February

Decision Announced: Mid-March

Start Date: Late July 2025

Reports To: Elementary School Principal

SPECIFIC DUTIES

School Leadership

• Advance SAS’s vision and strategic priorities.
• Foster an inclusive culture of learning that values collaboration, reflection, and growth.
• Cultivate a learning environment that promotes transdisciplinary connections and global-mindedness.
• Build meaningful partnerships with families, students, faculty, staff, and administrators from diverse backgrounds.
• Collaborate closely with the principal, elementary vice principal (grades 3-5), and other leaders to ensure cohesive, strategic decision-making.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions and operational meetings to address divisional priorities and goals.

Divisional Oversight and Student Success

• Oversee daily operations for pre-kindergarten through grade 2, ensuring alignment with adopted curriculum and school-wide goals.
• Be a visible presence at the Puxi Elementary School, and be regularly available to students, faculty, staff and parents.
• Guide and support progressive pedagogical practices that meet the diverse needs of all learners.
• Monitor and guide the developmental growth and learning of all lower elementary students, and ensure their well-being and success.

Faculty and Staff Leadership

• In collaboration with the principal, observe, supervise, hire and evaluate the pre-kindergarten to grade 2 faculty and teaching assistants.
• Lead the lower elementary faculty in the articulation of the school’s mission, goals, and assessment and curriculum practices.
• Report to the elementary school principal and perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; graduate degree highly preferred
• Knowledge of and experience with best practices in lower elementary curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental stages of elementary school students
• Understanding and experience in nurturing intercultural competency, equity, inclusion, and diversity to create a sense of belonging for the entire community
• Demonstrated success in directing and supporting professional growth and performance management and evaluation of elementary school faculty and staff
• Knowledge of, and experience with, developmentally appropriate, data-informed and research-based best practices in education
• A successful track record developing and leading engaging professional learning opportunities for faculty
• Experience in adaptive and successful change management

Qualities

• Adaptive and nimble approach to working within a fast-paced, forward thinking organizational culture
• A commitment to leading innovative and contemporary approaches to teaching, learning, scheduling and school programming
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening, and organization skills
• Ability to project calm self-assurance and positive energy
• Commitment to reflective practice; open to feedback and exhibiting a growth mindset
• A strategic and visionary mindset
• Emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills to work effectively with students, parents, teachers, and other colleagues
• Desire to learn about and immerse oneself in the context of Shanghai and China

TO APPLY

For more information please visit the following link, which contains the job opportunity statement and complete application instructions.

                  www.12MRecruiting.com/jobs/SAS/VP

About Shanghai American School

12M is a consulting firm with expertise in executive and leadership hiring. We are engaged most often by mission-aligned organizations to support thoughtful, intentional, and inclusive searches for a specific leadership opening.

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