AISG seeks a full-time Director of University Counseling and Future Pathways for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Director of University Counseling and Future Pathways will organize, oversee, and evaluate all aspects of the comprehensive university counseling program, as well as coordinate and oversee students' exploration of future pathways beyond graduation. Ideal candidates will bring experience working with adolescents in an international secondary school setting, and be able to support the school’s mission, vision, social vision and values.

The Director of University Counseling and Future Pathways reports directly to the Secondary Principal. The ideal applicant will have a clear, bold vision to leverage extensive knowledge and experience of university admissions, matriculation, financial aid, and resources in university guidance and success to nurture and sustain a culture of academic excellence and university readiness at AISG. The ideal applicant will combine leadership, empathy, cultural awareness, and expertise to respond to the needs of a richly diverse student body and their global university application and future pathway interests.

SUPERVISED, EVALUATED BY & REPORTS TO:

Secondary Principal

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide proactive leadership and initiative to build upon and improve the current four-year program for university counseling at AISG
• Develop and implement a university counseling curriculum
• Advise students and caregivers about course choice in the secondary school and the relationship of course choices to university admissions and future pathways of interest.
• Guide students and caregivers through the university admissions process using a ‘best fit’ paradigm
• Maintain a personalized approach to counseling and working with students and families to harmonize AISG’s ‘best fit’ philosophy while supporting students to have the confidence to reach for admissions into highly selective schools as appropriate.
• Support students to identify future pathways of interest and navigate their interests and passions through the pursuit of summer programs, internships, and extra-curricular
• Lead university counseling and future pathways program and department members as well as collaborate with SEL counselors and advisors to deliver elements of the future pathways curriculum
• Assign case load distribution and university guidance and future pathways program responsibilities equitably
• Write letters of recommendation for each senior in their caseload
• Strengthen the university counseling office with relevant print and electronic resources
• Oversee the implementation of standard tools of university counseling: the Common Application; the SAT, ACT, and other admissions tests; and the recommended standardized testing calendar
• Implement appropriate and secure application systems: UCAS, Naviance, or other recognized platforms
• Be familiar with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and how it relates to university admissions worldwide
• Create and update university counseling documents and publications: student and caregiver handbooks, transcript, school profile, etc. as needed to maintain timeliness and relevance
• Cultivate relationships with university admissions representatives in the US, Canada, and other destination countries and maintain existing relationships with admission representatives as well as advocate for students at universities and any other future pathways programs or opportunities
• Host university representatives at our school campus for information sessions (in-person or virtually)
• Organize and host an annual university admissions fair
• Organize the annual AISG Career Fair
• Plan or assist and oversee your team in delivering all caregiver and student events related to university counseling
• Train teachers on writing quality letters of recommendation and monitor to ensure quality
• Member of Secondary School Counseling Team, reporting to the Secondary Principal and meet regularly with Secondary Leadership
• Coordinate student university trips with Community Resources and Explorer Program Coordinator
• Keep abreast of changes in the university application and admission procedures and financial aid programs to determine the implication these changes will have on our students
• Represent AISG at regional and national meetings (e.g., EARCOS-CIS fair, NACAC, IACAC) as budget allows
• Travel to university counseling fly-ins and visit university campuses as schedule and budget permits
• Work together with Secondary Principal to prepare annual university counseling and future pathways program budget

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in university counseling or related field
• Three years’ experience in international school university counseling
• Alignment with AISG Mission, Vision, Social Vision and Values
• Strong work ethic and personal integrity
• Enthusiasm for the work of advising adolescents and their families through a significant milestone experience
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong networking skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree
• 3 years’ experience as a Director of University Counseling
• Experience as a university admission representative of a reputable university admissions department
• Demonstrated success in strengthening and developing an international school university counseling and future pathways advisement

About American International School of Guangzhou

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