The Position
The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz seeks an exceptionally qualified Head of School who will further develop its leading
role as an international boarding school offering a wide range of academic choices, culminating in the Swiss Matura, the IGCSE, the International Baccalaureate Diploma and the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programmes. As an IB World School with local roots and a global vision, the Lyceum also provides a wide range of activities in the arts, sport, community service, and student
personal development and leadership, many of which are embedded in residential programmes. Therefore, the next Head of School is expected to deeply immerse in the life of the school, advancing its commitment to holistic education based on the school’s values of respect, responsibility, and engagement. The Head of School reports to, and works with, a Board of Directors (many of whom have a long association with the Lyceum) on the implementation of the school’s mission, core values, and strategic goals.
In his/her positional responsibilities, the Head of School:
• Shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees of the Board of Directors.
• Shall be the representative of the Board of Directors in its relations with the faculty, staff, students and parents.
• Supports development of a culture and curriculum by taking into account the richness and diversity of the
school community as well as the “two programmes, one school” ethos.
• Supports the busy life at Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz and is highly visible throughout the school.
• Actively promotes the school by attending peer meetings with other schools in the region and internationally.
• Represents the school in its relations with Government Agencies, national educational organisations and
accreditation agencies.
• Has direct supervision of the faculty and staff and coordinates the activities of the entire organisation,
including its business and financial operations.
• Holds regular meetings of the faculty and staff and ensures that the general policies of the Board of Directors
are understood and followed.
• Ensures commitment to the development of the school’s philosophy, vision and mission, with a clear focus on
student achievement, standards and quality of teaching and learning, both in the Swiss Matura section as well
as in the International Section.
• Contributes to the development of policies and procedures and ensures that policies and practices take into
account the ethos and strategy of the school.
• Works collaboratively with the Head of the Swiss Matura department in course and lesson development,
entrance examinations (internal and external), class formation, and the Swiss Bilingual Matura programme.
• Works collaboratively with the Head of International Section in course and lesson development, course offers,
class formation, and the IBDP as well as the IBCP programmes.
• Supervises and/or assists with all other aspects of the school’s operation, including (but not limited to)
Facilities, Maintenance and Operation, Food Service, Transportation, Summer Programmes, Development and
Fundraising, and Alumni.
The Position
The Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz seeks an exceptionally qualified Head of School who will further develop its leading
role as an international boarding school offering a wide
range of academic choices, culminating in the Swiss Matura, the IGCSE, the International Baccalaureate Diploma
and the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programmes. As an IB World School with local roots and a global vision, the Lyceum also provides a wide range of activities in the arts, sport, community service, and student
personal development and leadership, many of which
are embedded in residential programmes. Therefore,
the next Head of School is expected to deeply immerse
in the life of the school, advancing its commitment to
holistic education based on the school’s values of respect, responsibility, and engagement.
The Head of School reports to, and works with, a Board
of Directors (many of whom have a long association with
the Lyceum) on the implementation of the school’s mission, core values, and strategic goals.
• Promotes the school’s strategic direction while embracing the school’s mission and vision.
• Leads, develops and is accountable for annual operational plans and budgets for the school in line with the
school’s strategic plan.
• Realises the long-term strategy and delivers the school’s business objectives of revenue, profit, and academic
KPIs with all management levels.
• Manages the setting of annual performance targets and leads review of progress against the targets.
• Ensures LAZ students are well-prepared for their futures in college, careers and citizenship.
• Builds an effective partnership with parents and the wider school community to enhance the achievements
and personal development of the students.
• Embraces innovative and research-based approaches to effective learning and ensuring the LAZ school
community is actively engaged with these approaches.
• Ensures that high quality teaching and learning is at the heart of strategic planning and resource management.
• Manages and participates in the recruitment of outstanding staff.
• Leads, manages and develops staff to ensure highest possible standards of effective teaching and learning.
• Leads, manages and develops staff to ensure excellent pastoral care and support for students.
• Leads by ensuring that effective responsibility is delegated through an appropriate management structure,
ensures clear delegation of tasks and responsibilities.
• Ensures that individual staff accountabilities and responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated, understood,
and agreed and are subject to regular review and evaluation.
• Utilises an approach to student learning which triangulates multiple data sources to monitor patterns of learning
throughout the school, identifying areas of strength and working with principals and other staff on appropriate
learning interventions.
Qualifications and Experience
• Master of Arts in Education or Educational Leadership or Swiss/European equivalent.
• At least five years of leadership experience in a Boarding School preferably in Europe or in boarding schools
world-wide offering international programmes.
• Ability to commit to an extended tenure of service.
• Exceptionally skilful communicator inclusive of being active listener, cogent writer, and articulate presenter.
• Familiarity with a range of accreditation protocols.
• Ably leads best practices in current pedagogy by further developing cohesion and continuity in International
Baccalaureate programmes.
• Established “Learning Leader”.
• Exhibits a genuine commitment to working collaboratively with all stakeholders.
• Represents the ability to think creatively and embrace a pro-active approach to problem-solving.
• Experience in managing change/conflict.
• Strategic thinker and highly organized.
• Head of School experience preferred, but open to other relevant leadership experience in schools.
• A desire to learn the German language if not already possessing a fluency in the language.
• Understands the importance of a commitment to meeting the social and emotional needs of the LAZ learning
community.
Personal & Professional Attributes
• Mission, vision, values-driven leader
• Fair, caring, yet leads with “firm hand”
• Visible, “seen in the school”, “people-person”
• High degree of integrity, “walks the talk”
• Open-minded, respects the diversity of views
• Motivational and inspirational
• Decisive, resolute, “can-do” mentality
• Internationally minded, committed to diversity
• “Hands-on” approach
Salary & Benefits
The salary will be regionally competitive and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the successful
candidate. Benefits include tuition for school-age children, housing and professional development opportunities.
Salary considerations and length of contract will be detailed during the interview process.
Application Process
In the interest of identifying the best candidates for this position, the Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz Board of Directors has
partnered with Search Associates to assist in this process with Dr. Norma Hudson, Dr. Gunther Brandt, and Dr. Eric
Sands serving as the Search consultants. The application deadline is July 31, 2022 with interviews scheduled for
August 2022 and the appointment of the new Head of School in September 2022. The new Head of School will
begin her/his duties in July 2023.
Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible. Screening will start as soon as applications are received.
Please note that the Search Associates and the LAZ Board of Directors reserve the right—in the event that a truly
superior candidate emerges early in the search process–to shorten the search and to make an earlier appointment. For this reason, it is important for interested candidates to apply in a timely manner.
