HEAD OF SECONDARY - USA

START DATE: JULY 2026

CLOSING DATE: UNTIL FILLED

Brief Description of School:

Magellan offers a truly unique educational experience. As one of the few independent schools in the U.S. to provide a secular International Baccalaureate® (IB) education in a deeply immersive Spanish environment, the school currently serves students from preschool through 11th grade—and is growing! The High School launched in fall 2024 and is on track to offer the full IB continuum through

12th grade, culminating in the prestigious IB Diploma Program (DP). Magellan offers a vibrant, diverse community that fosters a love for learning, cultural appreciation, and academic excellence. A school community that is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to create a community where all students, parents, staff, and other

stakeholders feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.

Fostering Creativity:

At Magellan, we believe in the transformative power of design, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Grounded in the ideals of agency, empowerment, and belonging, our unique approach to innovation

encourages students to become creators, critical thinkers, and agents of purposeful change. Our

program is designed to ignite a lifelong love for learning, foster a Maker Mindset, and equip students

with the attributes and skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

History:

In 2007, founder Erin Defossé was a 30-something aerospace engineer, tech executive, entrepreneur, and ultimate risk-taker who dreamt of a school for his children that was different from any other in Austin. In just two years, he developed the concept for Magellan — based partially on his experience at The American Foundation School in Mexico City — conducted market research, bootstrapped funding from friends and family, secured a location, hired a highly experienced Head of School, and began facilitating the day-to-day logistics of establishing a new school. Magellan’s doors opened in 2009 and they quickly scaled from 47 students to nearly 650 across two campuses. Today, Magellan is on its way to becoming the only school in Texas, and 1 of 4 in the country, that is secular, independent, and offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum — MIS is currently in the authorization process to offer the Diploma Program (DP) — in a bilingual setting.

Position Description:

Overview:

The Head of Secondary School is a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader responsible for the academic, cultural, and operational leadership of grades 6–12. Reporting directly to the Head of School, this role ensures excellence in the Middle Years Program (MYP) and leads the continued growth and successful implementation of the Diploma Program (DP). As Magellan expands its high school program in a competitive Austin market, the Head of Secondary will serve as a strategic ambassador for the school, championing innovation, academic rigor, and student well-being.

Strategic & Institutional Leadership:

• Partner with the Head of School to articulate and implement the strategic vision for

• Secondary School growth, including the expansion of the high school and IB DP.

• Lead change management initiatives that develop systems and structures promoting equitable practices and sustainable growth.

• Guide budgetary planning and resource allocation for the Secondary School in collaboration with the Head of School and Chief Financial Officer.

Academic & Programmatic Leadership:

• Provide overall educational leadership for grades 6–12, ensuring program alignment across MYP and DP in collaboration with the IB coordinators and Director of Teaching & Learning.

• Ensure that curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices reflect best practices, IB standards, and the ethos of the IB Learner Profile.

• Partner with the Head of School to create and implement one or more additional high school pathways that are project-based, interdisciplinary, experiential and international.

• Foster innovation in teaching and learning, including the integration of AI and other emerging technologies that enhance student engagement and academic outcomes.

Faculty & Staff Leadership:

• Recruit, hire, retain, develop, and inspire a diverse faculty and leadership team.

• Mentor, develop and evaluate faculty through growth-oriented supervision aligned with IB standards and institutional goals.

• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional learning.

Student Experience & School Culture:

• Champion student support systems that address academic, social, and emotional development.

• Process disciplinary cases in accordance with the Student-Parent Handbook.

• Maintain high visibility and engagement in daily school life by leading meaningful conversations

• and ensuring policies and practices reflect the school’s commitment to belonging.

Operational Oversight & Community Engagement:

• Gather and analyze institutional data (academic, climate, enrollment, surveys) to guide strategic decision-making.

• Oversee Secondary School admissions in collaboration with the Admissions team, strengthening recruitment, enrollment, and retention strategies.

• Partner with the Marketing & Communications Director to ensure clear, transparent, and strategic communication.

• Engage in fundraising efforts, cultivating strong relationships with families.

• Represent the Secondary School in events and community partnerships.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the Head of School.

• Contribute meaningfully to school-wide initiatives and strategic planning efforts.

Salary and Benefits:

Magellan International School offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, including

medical and supplemental benefits, 401K, and extensive paid time off.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a dynamic school environment. The role requires frequent human

interaction and includes occasional lifting, bending, standing, and use of standard office equipment.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

Core work days are Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings and weekends required

for school events, admissions programming, and community engagement.

Travel:

Limited out-of-area travel may be required for field trips, international trips, professional

development, or recruitment purposes.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

A criminal background check will be required for finalist(s).

Work Authorization/Security Clearance:

If hired, completion of the federal Employment Eligibility Verification form (I-9) and

presentation of acceptable documentation will be required.

AAP/EEO Statement:

Magellan International School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all

employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,

age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetics, or veteran status.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education, Leadership or related field from an accredited institution.

• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in a PK–12 school setting.

• Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent development and secondary pedagogy.

• Experience with language acquisition and multilingual education.

• Proven experience managing growth and leading complex institutional change.

• Expertise in the IB Middle Years and Diploma programs strongly preferred.

Personal Attributes:

• An innovative, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking educational leader.

• Deeply aligned with Magellan’s mission and the IB Learner Profile.

• A strategic thinker who can translate vision into systems and measurable outcomes.

• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic, culturally responsive, and globally minded.

• Skilled in navigating difficult conversations with clarity and transparency.

• A compelling communicator and strong listener.

• Passionate about equity and inclusion, with demonstrated experience advancing inclusive communities.

• Energetic, joyful, resilient, and authentically engaged in school life.

• Preferably bilingual in Spanish and English.

  
  

To Apply:

Interested and qualified candidates should apply https://www.magellanschool.org/about-us/careers Please mention you found the job on www.ibschooljobs.com Candidates will need to upload the following materials:

• A cover letter;

• A current résumé;

• A list of three professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)

www.magellanschool.org