Executive Head - Online School, Johannesburg, South Africa

Ideal commencement -, by September 2026

A strategic leadership role for a future-focused online and blended learning institution . South Africa | Hybrid / Remote Leadership Environment

Our client is seeking an exceptional Executive Head to provide strategic, academic, operational, financial and cultural leadership across the organisation. The role is suited to a sophisticated education leader who understands both the professional standards of schooling and the operating demands of a modern, technology-enabled education institution.

The Executive Head will be expected to strengthen academic excellence, institutional systems, leadership capacity and sustainable growth while preserving the school's mission to deliver accessible, high-quality and future-focused education.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
1. An appropriate undergraduate qualification.
2. A postgraduate qualification in Education Leadership, Business, Management or a related field.
3. A Masters Business Administration degree (MBA) is advantageous.
4. Significant senior leadership experience within a reputable and forward thinking school, online school, education group, EdTech organisation or complex service environment.
5. Experience as an Executive Head, Principal, Campus Head, Academic Director or equivalent senior leadership role is advantageous.
6. Demonstrated experience managing organisational growth and operational complexity.
7. Strong understanding of CAPS and international curricula, including IEB, Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel or equivalent pathways.
8. Proven strategic, financial and operational leadership capability.
9. Experience leading high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
10. Strong understanding of educational technology ecosystems and digital operations.
11 Experience driving organisational change, innovation and transformation.
12.  SACE registration is advantageous where the role includes formal academic oversight responsibilities.
13. Clear criminal record and suitability to work with childre

STRATEGIC MANDATE
The successful candidate will lead and oversee the following strategic priorities:
1. Academic excellence and student outcomes.
2. Institutional growth and strategic expansion.
3. Operational systems and organisational scalability.
4. Technology integration and AI-enabled operations.
5. Leadership development and organisational capacity building.
6. Financial sustainability and commercial performance.
7. Culture, accountability and performance excellence.
8. Stakeholder engagement and brand positioning.
9. Student wellbeing and holistic development.
10. Governance, compliance and risk management. 

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership 
2. Academic Leadership and Educational Excellence
3. Operational Leadership and Systems Management
4. Technology, Data and AI Integration 
5. Financial Management and Sustainability
6. Leadership, People Management and Culture 
7. Pastoral, Student Wellbeing and Community Leadership 
8. Stakeholder Engagement and Public Leadership
9. Operations, Facilities, Compliance and Risk 
10. Events, Culture and Organisational Life

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This role operates within a dynamic, fast-paced and evolving online education environment. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a remote and hybrid operational model, engaging across multiple departments and systems, balancing strategic leadership with operational execution, working beyond conventional school structures and leading within a high-accountability
and high-growth environment.