Position:
Academic Director (Global Essay Prize & unDebating Championship)
Employment Type
Full-time (Remote) with extensive international travel
Location
Anywhere in the world
About the John Locke Institute
The John Locke Institute is an independent educational organisation dedicated to inspiring and equipping exceptional students for academic and intellectual success. Through our prestigious summer schools, essay competitions, and residential courses in Oxford, Princeton, Georgetown, Singapore, Nanjing, Dubai, and Hong Kong, we cultivate a rigorous learning environment that fosters critical thinking, intellectual humility, and open-minded discourse.
Our programmes bring together talented students and distinguished faculty, offering a unique platform for academic challenge and personal growth. By engaging with complex ideas and refining their reasoning skills, students develop the confidence to excel in their academic and professional journeys.
Position Summary
The John Locke Institute is looking to appoint an exceptional Academic Director to lead the Institute’s academic programmes and oversee our two student competitions: the Global Essay Prize and the unDebating Championship. Academic Directors are responsible for the leadership of the Institute’s summer schools and intellectual life. Under the strategic direction of the Senior Academic Director, they design curricula, oversee faculty and preceptors, uphold the Institute’s distinctive pedagogical standards, and ensure the intellectual rigour of our teaching.
The Academic Director serves as Senior Programme Director (Academic Host) at four academic residential programmes per year, in addition to teaching at other programmes led by different Academic Directors. As Senior Programme Director, you will serve as the senior member of a three-person leadership team at each summer school, working alongside the Events Manager and Residential Director.
In addition, this Academic Director takes direct responsibility for the John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize and the John Locke Institute’s unDebating Championship.
This role provides the opportunity to collaborate with top scholars, contribute to innovative educational programs, and influence the academic trajectory of some of the brightest students worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
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Academic Leadership at Summer Schools
Lead the academic programme as Programme Director at four summer schools annually.
Create detailed timetables for summer schools, coordinating lecture titles, descriptions, and pre reading.
Liaise with faculty on biographies, safeguarding training, contracts, payments, travel, and hospitality.
Introduce faculty, set the intellectual tone at the summer school, and ensure seminars and precepts meet the Institute’s standards.
Deliver the welcome lecture, valedictory lecture, and some of the precepts (small discussion groups).
Oversee grading of students, ensuring consistent and accurate assessment.
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Faculty, Preceptors, and Pedagogy
Recruit, train, and supervise guest lecturers, preceptors (graduate students and early career academics), and interns.
Observe and assess preceptors' teaching, and ensure they contribute to both pre-programme and post-programme online seminars.
Enforce the Institute’s distinctive pedagogical house style:
o Clear PowerPoint design rules.
o Submission of faculty materials in advance for approval.
o Precept formats emphasising dialogue, rigour, and intellectual humility.
Gather structured feedback from students and faculty, and liaise with Marketing and Admissions to act on it.
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Admissions
Conduct admissions interviews, modelling the Institute’s intellectual tone and expectations.
Liaise with the Admissions Team to secure the very best candidates, irrespective of family means.
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Teaching, Content, and Research
Teach at eight to ten summer schools per year (lectures, seminars, precepts, tutorials).
Contribute to research projects, including commissioning and editing policy papers.
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Director of the John Locke Institute’s unDebating Championship
Establish and manage the Institute's competitive debating competition.
Recruit judges and train them in the Institute's distinctive approach to debate.
Set debate topics that reflect current policy debates and intellectual challenges.
Develop scoring criteria that reflect the Institute's commitment to rigorous argumentation and intellectual humility.
Work with the Academic Administrator to manage registrations, communications, and event logistics across international locations.
Build partnerships with schools and institutions to expand participation.
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Programme Oversight
Oversee the execution of summer schools, essay competitions, and other academic initiatives.
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Student Engagement
Foster a culture of intellectual curiosity and encourage students to think critically and independently.
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Director of the John Locke Institute’s Global Essay Prize
Oversee the world's leading essay competition, protecting its integrity whilst expanding its scope. • Recruit and coordinate with examiners, managing the examination process with timely results.
Suggest annual essay questions in collaboration with subject experts.
Interview shortlisted candidates to verify authenticity of submissions.
Coordinate with the Academic Administrator to manage logistics, communications, and winner announcements.
Develop strategies to expand the competition's reach while maintaining rigorous standards.
Qualifications & Experience
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Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field, such as philosophy, politics, economics, history, or related disciplines.
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Experience in curriculum development and academic programme management.
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Strong editorial judgment, intellectual range, and clarity of written expression.
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Diplomatic, confident, and persuasive; able to uphold high standards while nurturing young talent.
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Ability to work effectively with faculty, students, and external partners.
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Familiarity with competitive academic programmes and higher education admissions is a plus.
Skills & Attributes for Success
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Strong leadership and organisational skills.
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Passion for intellectual debate and fostering a challenging academic environment.
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Ability to engage and inspire high-achieving students.
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Adaptability and creativity in designing new educational initiatives.
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Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.
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Willingness to travel internationally and work intensively during summer periods.
What We Offer
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Fully Remote Role
Work from anywhere in the world (except the British Virgin Islands).
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Professional Growth
Opportunities to advance within the organization after 18–24 months of successful performance.
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Global Opportunities
Potential travel to our international summer programmes in prestigious locations.
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Inspiring Work
Engage with bright students and leading academics from top universities worldwide.
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Mission-Driven Work
Be part of an organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of thinkers.
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Supportive Team
Work alongside a highly competent and motivated team dedicated to your success.
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Creative Freedom
Your ideas and initiatives are valued—we encourage innovation.
Apply To This Position
To apply, please submit your information and upload your CV and cover letter. Please limit your cover letter to 250 words or less.