Academic Director – English Language School (SEVP & CEA Experience Required)
About Us
We are a fast-growing English language education group in Florida, serving international students from around the world through F-1 visa programs and high-quality academic experiences.
Our mission goes beyond teaching English — we help students transform their lives through education, cultural integration, and career opportunities in the United States.
We are seeking a strategic, hands-on, and visionary Academic Director to lead our academic operations, strengthen compliance standards, elevate student experience, and support the continued expansion of our institution.
This is a leadership role with direct impact on curriculum innovation, academic performance, accreditation, and institutional growth.
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Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership
✔ Lead and manage the academic department, including teachers, coordinators, and academic support staff.
✔ Create a high-performance academic culture focused on student success and instructional excellence.
✔ Conduct teacher coaching, observations, evaluations, and professional development initiatives.
SEVP & Compliance
✔ Ensure full compliance with SEVP regulations and standards related to F-1 international students.
✔ Collaborate closely with PDSO/DSO teams to maintain institutional compliance and operational accuracy.
✔ Support internal audits, reporting processes, and regulatory readiness.
CEA Accreditation & Academic Quality
✔ Lead and maintain academic standards aligned with CEA accreditation requirements.
✔ Manage accreditation preparation, reporting, renewals, and continuous improvement initiatives.
✔ Develop and implement policies, procedures, and academic documentation.
Curriculum & Product Development
✔ Oversee curriculum development and academic innovation.
✔ Design and launch new educational programs, electives, and specialized courses based on market demand.
✔ Ensure alignment between curriculum, learning outcomes, and student needs.
Student Experience & Retention
✔ Develop academic strategies that improve student engagement, retention, attendance, and satisfaction.
✔ Monitor academic KPIs, student performance, and faculty effectiveness.
✔ Partner with operations and admissions teams to improve the overall student journey.
Operational Excellence
✔ Improve academic processes, workflows, and communication systems.
✔ Prepare reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations for leadership.
✔ Utilize technology and data to support academic decision-making and institutional scalability.
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Requirements
✔ Bachelor’s degree in TESOL, Education, Applied Linguistics, School Administration, or related field.
(Master’s degree preferred.)
✔ Minimum 3–5 years of experience in academic leadership within a U.S. ESL or international education environment.
✔ Strong knowledge of:
* SEVP regulations
* F-1 student compliance
* CEA accreditation standards
* Academic operations management
✔ Experience managing academic teams and educational projects.
✔ Experience with curriculum development and instructional quality assurance.
✔ Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
✔ Advanced English proficiency required.
✔ Portuguese and/or Spanish are very important.
✔ Proficiency with:
* Microsoft Office Suite
* Academic systems/LMS platforms
* Reporting and data analysis tools
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What We’re Looking For - We are looking for a leader who is:
✔ Strategic but hands-on
✔ Organized and process-oriented
✔ Passionate about international education
✔ Comfortable in fast-paced growth environments
✔ Capable of building systems, teams, and academic excellence at scale
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Benefits
Paid Time Off
Employee Discounts
Professional Growth Opportunities
Leadership Development Environment
Opportunity to contribute to institutional expansion and innovation
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Work Location
Orlando, FL 32819 - In-person position
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
