University & Careers Counselor

About Canadian Academy: 

Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit, secular, gender-inclusive international school located in Kobe, Japan’s seventh largest city. CA is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), is an authorized three-programme International Baccalaureate World School, and is a member of TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools).  While most of the 700 students at CA are day students, our campus is also home to a small High School boarding program with a current enrollment of 40 students in Grades 9-12.

Canadian Academy faculty and staff inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students’ skills, promotes curiosity and love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. All students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-10, and most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 & 12, although 10-20% each year opt for a more personalized pathway to graduation that includes a mix of DP and other courses and leads to a CA Diploma. Some of our areas of focus over the next few years will be to further develop our graduation pathways to better meet the needs of our diverse learners, and to ensure that students have access to a broader range of opportunities for career exploration. 

Position Overview

This is a new role at Canadian Academy, created to strengthen the alignment between CA’s academic pathways and students’ post-secondary opportunities. The post-holder will report to the High School Principal and work closely with the Vice Principal, Learning Leaders (MYP and DP Coordinators), and schoolwide Director of Learning.

As CA expands its high school program beyond the traditional IB Diploma, this position will play a pivotal role in providing post-secondary guidance that reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our students. Working in partnership with two High School Personal and Academic Counselors, the post-holder will ensure that every student has a clear, personalized, and well-supported route from high school to appropriate post-secondary destinations. 

Core Responsibilities

University and Post-Secondary Counseling

• Lead the university and careers counseling program for Grades 9–12, with direct responsibility for the application cycle in Grades 11–12.
• Support students and families in exploring diverse global options, including universities in Japan, North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
• Provide individualized guidance on future course of study, program choices, application strategies, and gap-year options, and other post-secondary opportunities.
• Oversee standardized testing guidance (PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with university representatives and professional associations; host visits and represent CA at university fairs, conferences, and networks.
• Curate and manage the school’s university counseling resources and communications, ensuring accurate, timely information for students, families, and faculty.
• Support students and families in exploring a range of academic and other scholarship opportunities.
• Work collaboratively with the Personal and Academic Counselors to ensure alignment between student choices, graduation requirements, and post-secondary goals.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serve as a member of the High School Leadership Team, contributing to school improvement planning, policy development, and communication around academic and counseling initiatives.
• Work in close partnership with Counseling Team colleagues to ensure a holistic, integrated approach to student guidance and well-being.
• Support faculty professional learning related to academic advising and post-secondary readiness.
• Maintain accurate records of student applications, admissions outcomes, and matriculations, using data to improve programs and outcomes.
• Strengthen community understanding of academic pathways, graduation requirements, and post-secondary outcomes through regular communication and workshops.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, or a related field.
• Professional certification or licensure in counseling or college advising preferred.
• Minimum of five years of university admissions or counseling experience, ideally in an international or independent school context.
• Deep understanding of university systems and admissions processes across multiple regions (Japan, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia).
• Experience with the International Baccalaureate (MYP and DP) and other high school programs.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and use data for program development and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication, presentation, and family-engagement skills across diverse cultural contexts.
• Proficiency in Japanese is desirable but not at all required for this role.

Desired Personal Attributes

• Warm, approachable, and student-centered.
• Culturally sensitive and globally minded communicator.
• Strategic thinker who balances systems-level leadership with individualized support.
• Collaborative and collegial team player who thrives in partnership with other counselors and academic leaders.
• Highly organized, efficient, and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively.
• Proactive, reflective, and committed to continuous professional learning and program improvement.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should prepare and upload an updated resume. In lieu of a cover letter, please submit a short video introduction (via an unlisted YouTube link) that covers: 

• A brief introduction of yourself 
• Why you’re interested in this role 
• Why you believe you’d be a good fit, based on your experience 
  

Please share your video link on Bamboo in the “Website, Blog or Portfolio” field.