Thai School Director

Singapore Global International School is a newly established international school preparing to open its doors, and we are seeking an exceptional Thai School Director to join our founding leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new school from the ground up , building its regulatory foundation, academic standards, and school culture from day one.

The Thai School Director will serve as the school's official Thai School License Holder (ผู้รับใบอนุญาต), the legally authorised representative for all government and regulatory matters. This individual will work hand-in-hand with the Head of School and the broader leadership team to ensure SGIS complies with all Ministry of Education (MOE) requirements while delivering a world-class, internationally minded education rooted in strong Thai values.

This role requires a dynamic, experienced educational leader who is equally comfortable navigating Thai regulatory frameworks and collaborating within an international, cross-cultural school environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

• Serve as the school's official Thai School License Holder, legally authorised to sign and certify all government documents required for school establishment and operation.
• Lead and manage the school licence application process with the Ministry of Education (MOE), Office of the Private Education Commission (OPEC), and other relevant Thai authorities.
• Ensure full compliance with Thai legal requirements, including teacher registration, curriculum registration, and health and safety standards.
• Liaise with legal advisors, consultants, and property developers to align documentation and submissions related to school infrastructure and licensing.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes in Thai education legislation, proactively adapting school policies and procedures to remain compliant.
• Prepare detailed compliance reports for school leadership and governing bodies.

2. Academic & Operational Leadership

• Collaborate with the Head of School to design and implement a curriculum that meets both international standards and Thai MOE regulations.
• Oversee development of academic policies, staff handbooks, teaching standards, and assessment frameworks.
• Supervise the implementation of Thai language, culture, and history curriculum in line with MOE requirements.
• Recruit, onboard, and support Thai teaching and administrative staff, ensuring understanding of their responsibilities under Thai law.
• Promote high standards of teaching and learning among both Thai and international staff.

3. School Culture & Community Engagement

• Champion a caring, inclusive school culture that reflects Thai values alongside global citizenship.
• Serve as the key liaison between Thai-speaking stakeholders (parents, government officials, local community) and the international school leadership.
• Build trust and strong relationships with Thai families and the broader community to support the school's mission and reputation.
• Support marketing, admissions, and brand-building efforts targeted at Thai and international communities.

4. Administrative Management & Staff Supervision

• Lead the Thai administration team, including compliance officers, academic support staff, and operations personnel.
• Oversee staff adherence to school policies on discipline, attendance, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure the school meets all health, safety, and safeguarding regulations required under Thai law.

5. Strategic Planning & School Development

• Contribute to the school's long-term strategic vision, including future phases of growth and expansion.
• Provide input on infrastructure planning, classroom design, and learning environment setup in line with Thai regulatory standards.
• Play an active role in pre-opening and startup planning as a founding leadership team member.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Education & Licensure

• Master's degree or higher in Education, Educational Administration, or a related field (required).
• Valid Teaching Licence issued by the Teachers Council of Thailand (คุรุสภา).
• Educational Administrator Licence from the Teachers Council of Thailand (คุรุสภา), confirming eligibility to serve as official School License Holder.

Experience

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in school leadership, including at least 5 years at principal or senior administrative level.
• Proven track record working with Thai education authorities and navigating school licensing processes.
• Experience in international or bilingual school environments strongly preferred; startup/pre-opening school experience a strong plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong command of Thai education law, licensing procedures, and MOE requirements.
• Bilingual proficiency in Thai and English (professional working level), spoken and written.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
• High cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively within a multicultural, international team.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, particularly in startup environments.
• Meticulous attention to detail in handling official documentation and regulatory submissions.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and copies of relevant Teachers Council of Thailand (คุรุสภา) licences to [email protected]. Please indicate "Thai School Director" in the subject line.