Head of University & Careers Guidance/ University Guidance Counselor
Victoria Shanghai Academy
Hong Kong based

www.vsa.edu.hk 

Key attributes:

 The Head of University & Careers Guidance must be able to:

• Relate to students and develop a firm respectful rapport with them and their parents.  They must always keep the student's needs as the primary guideline in all that they do;
• Consider the needs of the VSA community in terms of developing a greater understanding of career programmes and university admissions;
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of competitive university admissions globally, particularly in relation to admissions in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

 Key responsibilities:

• Programme development
  • Leading a collaborative, informed team of university guidance counselors to provide high-quality, detailed, and empathetic advice to students and families at VSA
  • Ensuring all university counselors are familiar with university systems and their application procedures for universities in major countries
  • Developing working relationships with administration, other staff members at the school and other university counselors in the Hong Kong school community
  • Organising and running workshops on university research and preparation, including applying to key destinations including USA, UK, Canada, and Hong Kong
     
• Relationships and networks
  • Facilitating the University Counselling Team in building trustful relationships with university admission representatives
  • Developing key programming to bring increased awareness of elite and specialist university programmes around the world to VSA students and families
  • Leading university guidance and careers parent programming and supporting the parent programming run within the Student Support group
  • Writing meaningful reference letters and recommendations, which must be submitted in a timely manner to an excellent standard
  • Researching and adapting systems to new situations, new universities and new conditions
  • Attending PLT meetings, Student Support Committee meetings, Head of Year meetings as required
  • Working with the Deputy Principal (Student Support) on the SPARC programme and mentoring and guidance for gifted and talented students and other programmes developed to facilitate VSA’s strategic plan initiatives
     
• Administration
  • Ensure the professional development of members of the University Counselling Team, including appropriate training and annual appraisals
  • Manage the University Counselling Team’s advertising and administration of the SAT (4-5 times per year) and PSAT in October. Assisting with arrangements for special concessions regarding testing in SAT and PSAT
  • Maintaining proper records of students
  • Scheduling university visits to VSA
  • Conducting a university fair each year, running field trips to local universities and career exploration opportunities, and participating in experiential learning activities being run for students during the school year
  • Preparing a VSA profile for distribution to the higher education community
  • Keeping current with trends in university, educational and school policies
    
    Applicants please download and complete the application form and email along with a full resume to the Secondary School Principal, Dr. Shirla Sum (ssrecruit@vsa.edu.hk). Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in due course.