JOB SUMMARY:

The Academic Director will lead the academic operations at Yola, ensuring high-quality English language instruction, innovative curriculum development, and effective teacher training. This role requires a strategic leader who can drive academic excellence, improve student learning outcomes, and support the company’s growth and expansion.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Teacher Training & Development & Assessment

• Recruit qualified teachers in a timely manner, ensuring alignment with YOLA’s standards and meeting teaching demands.
• Develop and implement ongoing professional development programs for Teachers and Teaching Assistants.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide feedback to enhance teaching quality.
• Develop a teacher evaluation system to recognize high performers and support improvement for underperforming teachers, fostering continuous teaching excellence.
• Allocate and schedule teaching hours efficiently to optimize costs and ensure fair workload distribution among teachers
• Standardize lesson planning and teaching methodologies across all learning centers.

2. Student Learning Outcomes & Assessment

• Establish systems to track student progress and performance.
• Implement personalized learning paths and intervention strategies for struggling students.
• Analyze assessment data to improve instructional methods and curriculum.
• Monitor and track the passing rate of each student by class and by teacher to identify improvement opportunities and ensure alignment with company passing rate targets.
• Ensure students’ enjoyment and engagement in every YOLA class through effective lesson content and classroom activities; closely monitor teachers’ support for students.
• Standardize supporting classes and student service activities to maximize usefulness while staying within approved budget.

3. Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the management team to align academic strategies with business goals.
• Develop standardized policies and processes for academic operations.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Manage academic budgets effectively, ensuring resource optimization without compromising quality.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives between Academic, Program, Sales and Marketing teams to improve student acquisition, retention, and satisfaction.
• Identify and implement best practices in academic operations to improve efficiency and scalability across centers.

4. Curriculum & Program Development

• Supports the design, development and iteration of English language programs aligned with international standards (Cambridge YLA, IELTS, SAT, etc.).
• Introduce innovative teaching methodologies, including blended learning and technology-assisted instruction.
• Oversee course content updates, assessments, and instructional materials to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s or PhD in TESOL, Education, Applied Linguistics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in English language education, including leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of international English proficiency frameworks and exams.
• Experience with educational technology, LMS, and digital learning tools is a plus.