Head of College – UWC Maastricht

This is a genuinely remarkable opportunity to become Head of College at UWC Maastricht.
UWC (United World Colleges) is a global group of 18 schools and colleges joined by a common
mission to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable
future. UWC Maastricht was founded in 2009 and has established itself as a valuable and highly
distinctive addition to the UWC international movement.
Leadership opportunities within UWC always attract a great deal of attention, and the leadership of
UWC Maastricht should be an especially attractive proposition. The school is located close to the
heart of the vibrant city of Maastricht at the southern tip of the Netherlands where the country
meets both Belgium and Germany. It is now a school for almost 1,000 students aged 4-18 and is the
first school in UWC to offer all four IB programmes. The school operates partly within the Dutch
system: its multi-stakeholder environment reflects its founding, delivers an enviable level of financial
security and adds both complexity and opportunity to its leadership.
UWC Maastricht is at an interesting and important point in its development. It is in good shape, but
with significant opportunities to define the next stage of its journey. A good deal of work has been
undertaken since the school was established as the coming together of two existing international
schools. Now there is a chance to sharpen its identity and purpose and to understand how it can
best reflect its fascinating location and what it can contribute to the wider UWC movement.
This is a role that requires a careful balancing of internal and external priorities. UWC Maastricht
needs its next Head of College to be very present internally and to focus on the development of
teaching and learning, the continued forging of a ‘One School-One Mission’ approach, and the
structures needed to support the school’s ambitions. At the same time, the next Head must be
enthusiastic about engaging externally with the school’s stakeholders, with the city and partners
elsewhere, and with the UWC movement.
The successful candidate will have a successful record of accomplishment as a Head or senior deputy
or equivalent and will be able to demonstrate sustained impact over an extended period in their
previous leadership roles. The Head of College will require creativity, patience, credibility and the
leadership ability to inspire a diverse community. Above all, they will need a commitment to UWC’s
mission and values and the role of education in delivering a more peaceful and sustainable future.
The Head of College position is available from August 2024.