The Role
Leads global academic quality, teacher learning and development, quality assurance, performance improvement, digital learning solutions, and academic transformation. Uses operational and learner data to improve teaching standards and teacher lifecycle processes. Partners cross-functionally with Product, Operations, Technology, and Recruitment while leading the academic team and establishing scalable systems, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Summary Generated by Built In
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Director of Academics to lead the quality, development, and operational effectiveness of a global online teaching organization.
This role sits across teacher Learning & Development, and Academic Quality, with responsibility for ensuring consistently high teaching standards while building scalable systems, processes, and development programs for a large, distributed teacher population.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the global academic quality strategy for language teaching and define clear standards for teaching performance.
- Lead quality assurance, observation, calibration, and performance improvement processes.
- Use learner satisfaction, quality, and operational data to identify trends, risks, and development needs.
- Own the teacher learning journey, including induction, professional development, remediation, and progression.
- Design and improve scalable digital learning solutions, resources, and performance support.
- Lead the use of learning technologies, automation, reporting, and system integrations to improve efficiency and visibility.
- Improve teacher lifecycle processes and create a consistent, engaging global experience.
- Lead academic transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner with Product, Operations, Technology and Recruitment, teams on cross-functional projects.
- Lead and develop the academic team, creating clear priorities, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Master's degree, DELTA or higher in language teaching or related field.
- Experience supervising and observing language teachers and supporting continuous professional development.
- Strong experience in Learning & Development, academic operations, learning operations, education, or a related field.
- Experience leading complex programs or functions in an international or distributed organization.
- Strong understanding of learning design, quality assurance, performance management, and capability development.
- Experience using data to drive decisions and improve performance.
- Strong project, change, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience with LMS platforms, digital learning tools such as authoring tools, automation, reporting, or learning technology is highly desirable.
- Strong people leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
About Us
Some companies are in the business of banking. Others are in the business of shoes. Or sports. Or soft drinks. At EF, we're in a different kind of business. One that's a little less tangible, and a lot more important. Because our business, what we make, makes everything else possible. We're in the business of understanding. Between people. Between cultures.
For over half a century we’ve been the leader in international educational programs and experiences designed to foster such understanding. Through language, cultural exchange, academic studies, and educational travel, we create the kinds of immersive experiences that challenge biases, open minds, and pave the way for a more understanding world.
You’ll find our offices and schools located in some of the world’s greatest cities, and filled with smart, driven people (over 50,000 of us) who push each other to be better every day. But it’s what we do together - building greater understanding, breaking down barriers, and creating a better world - that makes all the difference.
Founded in 1965 in Sweden, EF (Education First) is a global association of education companies that share a common mission of opening the world through education. EF has been recognized on Forbes 2025 and 2024 World’s Best Employers and 2024 Top Companies for Women lists, Fast Company’s 2025 Next Big Things In Tech, and was a 2024 App Store Award winner in Cultural Impact.
EF Teach Online is a division of EF, a global leader in language learning with more than 60 years of educational innovation. We deliver high‑quality online learning through a world‑class digital platform that reaches students around the world.
Our teams operate at the intersection of education, technology, and global operations—working across time zones to enhance our platform, improve learner engagement, and support thousands of educators and students every day.
Joining EF Teach Online means contributing to a mission‑driven, international organization focused on opening the world through education within a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative environment.
Skills Required
- Strong experience in Learning & Development, academic operations, learning operations, education, or a related field.
- Experience leading complex programs or functions in an international or distributed organization.
- Strong understanding of learning design, quality assurance, performance management, and capability development.
- Experience using data to drive decisions and improve performance.
- Strong project, change, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience with LMS platforms, digital learning tools such as authoring tools, automation, reporting, or learning technology.
- Strong people leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
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The Company
What We Do
A career at EF is something different. You’ll think boldly, own your job, and create a career you are proud of—and have fun doing it. When you join EF, you will join a global community of creative minds, innovators, and change-makers. Since 1965, we've created programs that help people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn about the world and themselves. People are at the heart of everything we do, and it all begins with the talented and collaborative EFers who bring our mission-opening the world through education- to life across 55 countries and counting.
