Life Competencies Lead in London

As part of the central Learning and Innovation team, the Life Competencies Lead (Programmes & Coordination) will contribute to the development, effective implementation and evaluation of initiatives underpinning the ISP Life Competencies Strategy across our global network of schools.

Guided by ISPs Learning.First methodology, the Lead will work closely with the EdTech and AI team to support the design and development of digital solutions for life skills learning, acting as a subject matter expert to ensure pedagogical intent, learner experience, and evidence informed practice are embedded in digital products and platforms. They will also support the broader Life Competencies programme of work including operationalising, developing, and tailoring resources and professional development to ensure teachers and schools are able to embed Life Competencies coherently and consistently. The Lead will also make an important contribution to monitoring and evaluation of initiatives, their implementation and impact.

ISP Principles

• Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well‑being of self and others.
• Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing operationalisation of ISP’s Life Competencies strategy using a project management approach, underpinned by ISPs approach to learning, Learning.First, and internal quality assurance and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Coordinate input to initiatives at ISP which support the development, demonstration, and measurement of life competencies, providing clear actionable guidance for schools and teachers including through the creation of resources.
• Build capability in teachers and schools by inputting to the design of professional learning pathways related to Life Competencies.
• Provide timely updates on the implementation and impact of the Life Competencies strategy and progress reports against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to various audiences.
• Work closely with the EdTech and AI team to contribute knowledge and subject matter expertise to the design and development of digital solutions to embed Life Competencies learning and strengthen their impact on learning, teaching, and assessment.
• Ensure alignment and processes between Life Competencies and EdTech strategies where Life Competencies are a focus.
• Manage research activity with external partners across ISP Schools, coordinating timelines, inputs, and quality assurance to ensure findings meaningfully inform the development and evaluation of ISP’s Life Competencies strategy.
• Support the EdTech Delivery Manager with piloting, iterating and improving approaches to developing, demonstrating and evaluating life competencies, and lead on embedding these across our schools.
• In close collaboration with Learning colleagues and schools, drive and scale initiatives driving the ISP Life Competencies strategy with the goal of increased alignment across our network of schools.
• Actively showcase best practice across our network of schools and empower schools to continuously learn and get better in the development and measurement of life competencies through initiatives including communities of practice.
• Collect and analyse data to evaluate the implementation and impact of Life Competencies resources, initiatives, strategy and products.
• Support regions and schools in setting targets, informing action, and evaluating impact.
• Support central brand and regional marketing teams to raise the profile of ISP’s unique Life Competencies strategy as a core differentiator and value‑add.

Skills, Qualifications And Experience

• Strong project management skills from initiation through planning, risk management, execution, monitoring and evaluation, including excellent stakeholder management.
• Must communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders (across time zones) including students, teachers, heads of school, Learning colleagues, and on occasion, the Executive Committee, Board and subject matter experts.
• Experience leading learning programmes or initiatives designed to help students develop and or demonstrate their life competencies, preferably in a K->12 setting.
• Excellent communication skills (C2 level or equivalent English).
• Capable of designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the implementation, impact and effectiveness of student life competencies initiatives.
• Cross‑cultural awareness and sensitivity to promote inclusivity, respect for and celebration of our diverse community of students, colleagues and families.
• Experience using evidence, data, or research to inform decision making and supporting continuous improvement.
• Ability to act as a credible subject matter expert within multidisciplinary teams, including working alongside product managers, designers, developers, researchers, and data specialists.
• Experience contributing to complex or innovative projects where learning design, pedagogy, or student outcomes needed to be translated into scalable systems, tools, or frameworks.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and continuous improvement, including engaging in pilots, testing assumptions, refining approaches, and using feedback to improve outcomes.

Desirable

• Experience working with various curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge International, and their approaches for developing students’ life competencies.
• Knowledge of or experience in designing, evidencing and/or evaluating student life competencies.
• Has either worked in or closely with schools in the past.

ISP Leadership Competencies

• Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.
• Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.
• Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.
• Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs.
• Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
• Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families.
• Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high‑performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio‑economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.