SCALE:  Professional Scale  
CONTRACT:  Professional Staff Contract 
SUPERVISOR:  Upper School Principal
DIVISION: Upper School                            

POSITION OVERVIEW  

The Dean of Student Life plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture, climate, and connectedness of the Upper School. Rooted in the TAS Mission and Schoolwide Learning Outcomes, the Dean is responsible for fostering a vibrant sense of belonging, school spirit, and student engagement across academic and co-curricular domains. This position is designed to help students find their voice, take ownership of their school experience, and develop the habits of mind and heart that lead to lifelong learning, well-being, and service. Through oversight of student leadership, advisory, and community programs, the Dean ensures that every TAS student experiences school as a place where they are known, supported, and inspired to contribute.  

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Student Voice, Leadership, and Agency

• Create structures and opportunities for authentic student voice in shaping school culture and decision-making.
• Advise and mentor Student Government, class officers, and student organizations, ensuring their initiatives reflect the values of kindness, respect, responsibility, honesty, and courage.
• Coordinate student leadership training and retreats focused on communication, collaboration, and ethical leadership.
• Partner with the Director of Belonging and Social Impact and other divisional leaders to align student leadership work with DEIB, service, and social-impact goals.

2. Belonging, Community, and School Spirit 

• Lead efforts to cultivate a culture of belonging where every student feels connected and valued.
• Design and implement community-building experiences, class traditions, and celebrations that strengthen collective identity and school spirit.
• Serve as a visible, approachable presence in daily school life, fostering a climate of warmth, respect, and inclusion.
• Collaborate with Class Deans to build cohesive grade-level experiences that reflect student interests and developmental needs.
• Partner with the Director of Communications and student leaders to promote student life and celebrate achievements across the community.

Advisory and Social-Emotional Learning

• Oversee the design and implementation of the Upper School advisory program in collaboration with counselors and the Upper School Wellbeing and Community Development Committee.
• Ensure that advisory sessions and assemblies address relevant topics of well-being, social-emotional growth, digital citizenship, and community engagement.
• Provide ongoing professional learning, resources, and guidance for advisors to strengthen mentoring relationships and advisory effectiveness.
• Analyze student survey data and feedback to continually refine the advisory and well-being program.

4. Co-Curricular Life and Integration

• Oversee the Upper School club, activity, and service programs, ensuring alignment with TAS’s mission, safety protocols, and learning outcomes.
• Support faculty advisors and student leaders in developing inclusive, meaningful co-curricular experiences.
• Encourage reflective practices that help students make connections between their academic learning, co-curricular involvement, and personal growth.
• Collaborate with the Director of Athletics, Director of Belonging and Social Impact, and divisional academic deans to ensure coherence across academic and co-curricular domains.
• Supervise staff supporting student life operations and co-curricular logistics.

5. Events, Traditions, and Celebrations

• Plan and lead major student life events and assemblies, including orientation, opening and closing assemblies, and class celebrations.
• Oversee student travel and off-campus events related to student life, ensuring risk management, inclusion, and safety standards are upheld.
• Partner with faculty and students to innovate traditions that reflect the evolving identity and spirit of the TAS community.

6. Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the Upper School Leadership Team, contributing to strategic conversations about student experience, well-being, and culture.
• Collaborate closely with counselors, academic leaders, and deans to ensure an integrated, student-centered approach to learning and growth.
• Lead and mentor Class Deans to ensure consistent and mission-aligned grade-level programming.
• Partner with the Deputy Head of School and the Director of Belonging and Social Impact to advance institutional initiatives around belonging and student agency.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of teaching, counseling, or student life experience in a secondary school setting.
• Demonstrated experience designing programs that enhance student engagement, leadership, and well-being.
• Deep understanding of adolescent development, advisory systems, and social-emotional learning.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills; experience supervising teams or initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration skills.
• Experience in an international or multicultural educational environment preferred.

DESIRED PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Deep belief in the mission of TAS and the potential of every student.
• Warmth, empathy, and enthusiasm for working with adolescents.
• A visible, energetic presence who inspires community and connection.
• Integrity, discretion, and professionalism in all interactions.
• A collaborative, reflective approach to leadership and decision-making.
• Creative problem-solver with flexibility and optimism.

POSITION SPECIFICS

This is a faculty position with a stipend for additional duties. The Dean of Student Life returns to campus five days prior to the start of Professional Development (Launch) Days to prepare for the school year’s opening assemblies, orientation, and advisory planning.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references through the online link below. Please note that direct applications via email or other channels will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Taipei American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time.