Position: Head Career & College Guidance
Section: Senior School (Grades XI & XII)
Department: Career Counselling Department

Reporting: SLT

Role Purpose

The Head Career & College Guidance will lead the career university and further education guidance program for Higher Secondary students enabling them to make informed academic and career decisions. The role involves career counselling university placement guidance student mentoring assessment interpretation documentation and collaboration with academic teams and parents to support students post-secondary aspirations.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

I. Strategic Planning & Program Development

Develop and implement a comprehensive career counselling strategy aligned with the schools academic programs and global university pathways.

Design structured career exploration programs university fairs workshops and awareness sessions for students and parents.

Align university program pathways with school curricula (IB ISC IGCSE or equivalent) to ensure students make informed subject and career choices.

Continuously review counselling strategies based on student outcomes university placements and emerging career opportunities.

Motivate students to identify and pursue their career aspirations with clarity and confidence.

Create awareness of emerging careers higher education trends and global opportunities.

II. Career Coaching & Student Guidance

Conduct individual and group career counselling sessions for school students.

Use aptitude personality and achievement assessments to help students evaluate their interests strengths and abilities.

Analyze students academic background subject combinations extracurricular achievements and personal interests to guide career decisions.

Support students in selecting university programs courses and career pathways aligned with their strengths and aspirations.

Help and guide students completely on applications for different countries and courses. Work with students on their Statements of Purpose Admission Essays Letters of Motivation etc to help them craft a meaningful application.

Assist students in preparing for university interview preparation.

Teach students career readiness skills such as networking resume writing and interview techniques etc.

Maintain an approachable and supportive counselling environment ensuring students feel comfortable seeking guidance.

Maintain structured communication with parents through documented email communication and scheduled counselling meetings.

Apply a 360-degree counselling approach integrating academic performance behavioural observations extracurricular engagement and personal development.

III. Assessment Reporting & Feedback

Plan and implement career assessments and learning evaluations that support student growth and decision-making.

Administer and interpret personality assessments aptitude tests and career inventories annually.

Organize standardised aptitude testing during the academic year to help students understand subject-career alignment.

Manage and maintain student application records through ManageBac and BridgeU including:

Transcripts

Letters of recommendation

School profiles

Application documents for universities

Provide regular oral and written feedback to students and parents.

Share assessment reports and counselling summaries with parents once every term.

Prepare student progress reports covering academic social emotional and career development.

Highlight student achievements and development areas during Parent-Teacher Meetings.

Review counselling practices periodically based on feedback from the Director of Counselling and school leadership.

IV. Documentation & Data Management

Maintain accurate and confidential records of counselling sessions assessments and student progress.

Document counselling reports and store assessment records for future reference.

Maintain updated records within school systems such as ManageBac and BridgeU.

Submit weekly or periodic reports to the SLT highlighting progress challenges and recommendations.

Track student career pathways university placements and counselling outcomes for institutional review.

V. Confidentiality & Ethical Practice

Maintain strict confidentiality of counselling sessions and student records.

Share information with school leadership only when student welfare safety or school interests require intervention.

Follow the schools safeguarding and child protection policies in all counselling practices.

VI. Student Wellbeing Behaviour & Safeguarding

Foster a safe respectful and supportive counselling environment.

Promote self-awareness responsibility and emotional wellbeing among students.

Act as a positive role model demonstrating empathy professionalism and integrity.

Support the school in promoting safeguarding and student welfare policies.

Raise concerns regarding student safety or wellbeing through established school protocols.

VII. Teamwork & Collaboration

Work closely with school leadership coordinators teachers and counsellors to support student development.

Participate actively in department meetings and strategic planning sessions.

Collaborate with teachers to identify students needing academic or career support.

Plan sessions for teachers to help them understand the upcoming needs of universities.

Engage with parents and guardians to guide student career decisions.

Represent the school in career fairs university interactions and professional forums.

Support new student admissions by explaining curriculum pathways and career planning opportunities.

Participate in professional development programs workshops and conferences.

Key Working Relationships

Internal

SLT

Coordinators

Heads of Department

Teachers

Students

External

Parents and Guardians

Universities and Admissions Representatives

Career Assessment Agencies

Educational Consultants and External Experts

Qualification & Experience

Essential

Masters in Psychology / Counselling / Education

5 years experience in student counselling preferably in an international school environment

IC3 certification or training

Familiarity with university application platforms like:

Common App

UCAS

Naviance

Experience working with university placements and higher education guidance

Desirable

Experience with IB / international curriculum counselling

Familiarity with ManageBac BridgeUToddle or university application systems

Experience in student career assessments and psychometric testing

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Career counselling and coaching

Student assessment and aptitude analysis

University admissions processes and global education pathways

Data management and documentation systems

Programme planning and career guidance workshops

IT and counselling software skills

Behavioural Competencies

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Empathy approachability and student-centered mindset

Strong organizational and time management skills

Critical thinking and decision-making ability

Conflict resolution and counselling ethics

Flexibility and adaptability in a residential school environment

Collaboration and leadership skills