The Roles & Responsibilities:

Defining a Mission-Driven Curriculum at a Global Standard

Students at ALA are challenged to achieve a global standard through a curriculum custom-built to advance our mission. Guided by ALA’s 7 Traits, faculty craft courses that equip students with powerful skills and knowledge. The DTL leads faculty and Heads of Department (HODs) to enact ALA’s principles of planning and assessment in designing and delivering our curriculum. Through rigorous examination of evidence from student work and teacher reflection, the DTL also leads HODs and faculty to improve the curriculum through thoughtful iteration.

Building a Culture of Collaborative & Continuous Improvement

At ALA we believe that the variable that has the most profound impact on student outcomes, after the students themselves, is the teacher. We believe that teaching is a complex craft and that every teacher must also be a learner. We aim to build a collegial culture of open, collaborative, and transparent learning among peers. Therefore, as a faculty, we value reflection, substantiated judgment, and evidence-backed practices. We also value shared practice, with teachers employing common tools from a toolbox of “best bets”. The DTL leads the community of practice at ALA, working with Heads of Department and faculty to embed and improve best practices in teaching and learning. They are charged with strengthening core systems—such as classroom observation, collaborative planning, and shared assessment principles—while also identifying and championing new strategies to improve student learning outcomes.

Leading School Operations and Policy

The DTL sits on the Academy’s Senior Leadership Team and serves as a core contributor to both the day-to-day leadership of the learning community and the long-term strategic positioning of the Diploma Program and the Academy at large. They work closely with senior colleagues to shape, implement, and uphold academic policies, ensure operational coherence across departments, and drive the continuous improvement of teaching and learning systems.

Representing a Learning, Innovating & Leading School

The DTL is an ambassador for ALA’s educational vision across the African continent and the world. The DTL will represent ALA’s aspirations to become a Learning, Innovating, and Leading school by participating in African and global conversations on education. They will represent ALA’s teaching and learning philosophy to internal and external stakeholders in different contexts and forms, from leading accreditation to engagement with donors and presenting at conferences. The DTL is also a key stakeholder in other educational programs at ALA, contributing to the activities of the Anzisha Education Accelerator and the AL4Education Sector Network.

Core Activities:

• Setting annual academic objectives in coordination with organizational and strategic
• Setting individual and departmental goals with each HOD each
• Leading a rhythm of HOD and faculty meetings that enable collaboration
• Collecting and analyzing a variety of data and evidence to track student achievement and guide tactical and strategic decision-making.
• Leading the Academy’s faculty recruitment, hiring, evaluation and development
• Coordinating with the Dean of the Academy on accreditation
• Coordinating the budgets and logistics of the Academic
• Teaching one course within the academic program.
• Engaging with key internal and external stakeholders—including faculty, program leads, operations staff, and parents—to ensure clear communication, alignment across functions, and the smooth implementation of academic priorities.
• Contributing to policymaking, calendar-setting and strategic decision-making as a member of the Dean’s leadership team.

Skills and Profile of Ideal Candidate:

A visionary leader with a passion for enabling communities of leadership learning. The Director of Teaching & Learning will play a critical role in enabling our strategic plan: ALA 2026. This role is ideal for an individual with the capacity to proactively build trust with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. A growth mindset and an eye for improvement will be essential in navigating an evolving landscape, seeking each year to improve our program and its outcomes.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate:

• Passion for the African continent, its people, and its future.
• Extensive engagement with the research, theory and philosophy of teaching and learning.
• Experience leading teams in a collaborative and results-oriented fashion.
• Enthusiasm for designing, implementing, assessing and improving systems and processes.
• Expertise in curriculum planning, assessment design, and evidence-based program review.
• Strong skills in organization, analysis, communication
• Experience working with students in a residential life setting.
• A coaching mindset that enables the growth and development of students and adults.

 Minimum Experience & Education:

• 10+ years of experience in education, with a proven record of excellence in teaching and learning, preferably in Cambridge A-Level or equivalent.
• 3+ years of senior academic leadership experience (e.g., Head of Department or higher).
• A Bachelor's degree (Master’s preferred).

Reporting: The DTL reports to the Dean of the Academy.
Location: ALA Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
Start date: Flexible - January 2026