SEOUL FOREIGN SCHOOL START DATE: JULY 1, 2019 - ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS - CARNEY SANDOE
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Seoul Foreign School
Seoul, South Korea
Assistant Head of School
for External Relations
Start Date: July 1, 2019
www.seoulforeign.org
Mission Statement
Seoul Foreign School, centered in Christ, inspires educational excellence and
promotes Christian values, personal integrity and responsible global citizenship
through a dynamic international experience.
The Position
Seoul Foreign School (SFS) seeks an Assistant Head of School for External Relations beginning
July 2019 to serve as a member of the Senior Administrative Team, overseeing all fundraising,
constituent relations, marketing, communications, and public relations activities at the school. The
individual selected for this position will work closely with the Head of School and Assistant Heads
of School for Academics and Operations, along with other administrators, to manage all externally
related affairs, including the supervision of three direct reports and extensive collaboration with the
Director of Admissions.
School History
SFS is the one of the oldest international schools in the world and the oldest in Korea, with a 100-
plus year history of mission-focused education. Since its founding in 1912, Seoul Foreign School
has maintained its commitment to educating responsible, internationally-minded citizens, becoming
the first school in Korea to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, the IGCSE, and the
English National Curriculum. As of 2018, the school has also become a Primary Years Programme
(PYP) School and a Middle Years Programme (MYP) School.
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The School Seoul Foreign School is a non-profit international school serving 1,400 students pre-K through 12th grade. With over 220 faculty members, Seoul Foreign School is widely recognized as the city’s leading international school, with a strong commitment to educational excellence and international diversity. Sixty percent of students are U.S. citizens, while the remaining 40% represent nearly 50 countries, with the largest populations from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, India, Korea, and Germany. The school’s unique global environment is complemented by its ongoing dedication to Christian values, which contribute to the caring community and character development of each student at SFS. The Head of School reports to a Strategic Board, responsible for upholding the school’s mission, providing fiscal oversight, formulating policies, and developing strategic plans that create a guiding vision for the school’s continuous improvement. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 2 search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com
College Acceptances
The following is selection of schools to
which members of the Class of 2018
were accepted:
Baylor University
Boston University
Brown University
Carnegie Mellon University
Cooper Union
Cornell University
Dickinson College
Duke University
Emory University
Erasmus University
George Mason University
Georgetown University
Imperial College London
Indiana University
Ithaca College
Lehigh University
Loyola Marymount University
McGill University
Michigan State University
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University Academics
Occidental College
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University Academics at Seoul Foreign School fall under multiple
Princeton University sections with the Elementary (Pre-K2, Pre-K3, Pre-K4,
Purdue University Kindergarten, and Grades 1-5) and Middle Schools
Rhode Island School of Design (Grades 6-8), transitioning to the new PYP and MYP
Rutgers University programs. In the British section, student learning adheres
Santa Clara University to the standards set by the National Curriculum of England
School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Wales. In the High School (Grades 9-12), working
Syracuse University under the MYP framework in Grades 9 and 10 and the IB
The New School (Parsons) Diploma Program in Grades 11 and 12, markers of SFS’s
Tufts University commitment to academic achievement across grade levels.
Universiteit Maastricht
University of Arizona Seoul Foreign has worked to create a cohesive academic
University of Bath program across grade levels, guided by their early adoption
University of British Columbia of the IB model, an emphasis on 21st century skills, and
University of California, Berkeley the framework of Understanding by Design, which helps
University of California, San Diego to focus outcome-oriented student learning. At present,
University of Michigan
SFS is proud to be a full IB school, working closely with
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania the International Baccalaureate Organization to implement
University of Toronto a school-wide curriculum that frames student learning in
University of Virginia the context of interdisciplinary thinking, service, creativity,
University of Wisconsin, Madison collaboration, and critical thought. Across the board, the IB
Virginia Tech reputation for high standards supports SFS’s commitment
Waseda University to excellence, while the ideal of creating a better world
Wesleyan University through education and service aligns with the Christian
Wheaton College mission of the school.
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Arts and Athletics With five large-scale productions each year and formal drama coursework from Grade 6 onward, theatre takes center stage at SFS. The music program is similarly robust, with 95% of students participating in one of the many instrumental and vocal ensembles: from preschool onward, student musicians have the opportunity to perform in some of the school’s 25 annual recitals and concerts. In the visual arts, students delve into 2- and 3-D media from an early age, experimenting with digital art in the upper grades, and exploring traditional Korean art and its techniques. At the culmination of each arts program, students may choose to pursue an IB course that prepares students to continue their studies of drama, music, and art at the post-secondary level. Athletics is another robust part of life at SFS, with upwards of a dozen different sports offerings and ample athletic facilities, including an on-campus pool. While students learn to play competitively, sports at SFS are also considered an avenue toward character education, with Crusaders developing responsibility, dedication, commitment, teamwork, and leadership skills that will serve them well throughout their time at the school and beyond. School Life Seoul Foreign School’s non-denominational Christian affiliation manifests itself in both the curriculum and other aspects of school life: while students practice various religions, all students study Christianity’s history and present, and character education and extracurricular activities encourage each individual to live out lives in keeping with the Christian faith. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 4 search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com
Through the School Wide Extracurricular Program, Seoul Foreign School creates an environment that values depth of commitment, with students demonstrating consistent and dedicated involvement in the activities of their choice rather than simply dabbling in an array of different offerings. In this way, students learn to be intentional about time management and hone skills associated with self- reflection, even as they explore art, music, computer programming, intramural sports, and more. In addition, SFS has robust and competitive programs in Forensics and Model United Nations, offering opportunities for students to hone their talents in the realms of public speaking and debate. Other notable offerings include the annual Discovery Week, a high school program in which students pursue weeklong experiential learning opportunities that include overseas travel, service, and opportunities to explore Korean history and culture up close. Physical Campus Seoul Foreign School is situated on a park-like campus of 26 acres atop a hill that provides a place of calm in the midst of the bustling city. The campus is characterized by a blend of traditional Korean features and more contemporary architecture, with academic buildings for each division and athletic facilities. SFS also boasts purpose-built art facilities such as the Lyso Center for the Performing Arts, which features a 700-seat theatre and smaller black box along with music rehearsal studios, practice rooms, and a composition lab. The 420-seat Robb Hall Theatre is used regularly for assemblies in addition to special performances and events. The recently completed and magnificent 80,000 square-foot High School building, designed by Ennead Architects of New York City, opened in the summer of 2018. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 5 search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com
Seoul, South Korea As both South Korea’s capital and largest city, Seoul is home to a population of approximately 10 million, a number that includes more than 250,000 foreigners. Seoul, home to five UNESCO heritage sites, is notable for its mix of traditional and modern. It is recognized as the world’s most wired city, home to Fortune 500 companies such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai-Kia. As such, Seoul is one of the world’s largest metropolitan economies, with a high quality of life, efficient public transportation, cutting-edge medical care, and low crime rates. Seoul’s many neighborhoods offer a wealth of art, culture, shopping, and dining. In addition to being the birthplace of K-pop, an up-and-coming food destination, and bustling 24-hour city, Seoul is a developing model of urban design, with landscaped parks and green spaces becoming an increasingly prominent feature of the cityscape. Outside Seoul, mountains and national parks offer further opportunities for walking and hiking, and the beach beckons a few hours to the east and west. The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 6 search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com
Challenges and Opportunities
Seoul Foreign School seeks an internationally-minded candidate with an extensive external relations
background and solid management experience who can think strategically about Seoul Foreign
School’s outreach and engagement activities, oversee marketing and communications, and effectively
lead fundraising and begin to establish a culture of philanthropy among its constituents that will have
a lasting impact on the school.
Key opportunities facing the successful candidate include strategic collaboration with the Director
of Admissions to help maintain and increase enrollment throughout the divisions, particularly within
the British Division. Additionally, coordinating the efforts of the direct reports is a key objective.
Technologically, there is a need for someone to “own” technology as it relates to the Advancement
function, as currently there are multiple databases being employed by various individuals. Further,
the new leader must represent his/her team and their functions so the rest of the school community
has a clear understanding of what they are trying to accomplish, and towards what end, and how
the rest of the community plays into that objective. In short, the External Relations team needs to be
more visible on campus. Finally, and with a sensitivity that demonstrates an innate sense of cultural
understanding, the successful candidate must set and achieve realistic fundraising goals that will
enable faculty and students to elevate teaching and learning at SFS.
Despite claiming 4,670 alumni worldwide along with an engaged current parent group, SFS’s
fundraising has averaged roughly $100,000 annually, with the exception of 2017-18, when the
construction of the new High School building attracted $1 million in voluntary support.
Key Responsibilities
The Assistant Head of School for External Relations (AHOS) will report to Head of School, Colm
Flanagan and be a member of the Senior Administrative Team. His or her direct reports will include:
• Director of Communications & Marketing
• Manager of Advancement
• Administrative Assistant
The AHOS will:
• Evaluate existing and create new strategic initiatives in marketing, communications, and branding;
• Develop and implement new fundraising initiatives in support of the school’s key objectives;
• Oversee all creation of external communications, including marketing materials, press releases,
speeches, event scripts, and Board reports;
• Hire, manage, and evaluate all direct reports;
• Prioritize and manage the work flow of all direct reports, both individually and as a team;
• Establish excellent working relationships with public officials, the press, the business community,
government regulators, and investors;
• Refine and execute the school’s crisis management plans and systems and be the principal face
of external communications;
• Be a contributing and supportive member of the Senior Administrative Team and a sounding
board and confidant for the Head of School;
The Search Group | Carney, Sandoe & Associates 7 search@carneysandoe.com | www.carneysandoe.com• Reinforce the identity of SFS through traditional and new media, including social media;
• Create an effective Advancement strategy through collaboration with key stakeholders;
• Create and enhance relationships with a variety of constituencies, including alumni, current and
past parents, students, faculty, and friends of the school.
Key Characteristics and Experience
The ideal candidate will have the following background and characteristics:
• College degree (advanced degree preferred);
• 7-10 years of leadership, Advancement, and external relations experience, ideally in an
independent school, college, or university;
• International school experience, and/or International Baccalaureate experience, a plus;
• Track record of cohesively integrating the full range of Advancement programs;
• Experience working with governing Boards and committees;
• Experience in creating and managing departmental budgets;
• Confidence, patience, and a sense of humor that complements Seoul Foreign School’s culture
and mission;
• Possess authenticity and humility;
• Be an effective storyteller who can articulate the case for support of Seoul Foreign School;
• Possess excellent analytic skills;
• Believe in the value of strong collaboration and teamwork;
• Possess excellent communication skills, both oral and written;
• Familiarity with relational databases;
• Possess significant experience in leading and managing an organization of similar size and/or
stature as SFS.
To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit electronically in one email and as separate
documents (preferably PDFs) the following materials:
• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each
(references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission) to:
John Clark
Senior Search Consultant
john.clark@carneysandoe.com
Gary Dicovitsky
Search Consultant
gary.dicovitsky@carneysandoe.com
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