Founding Head of Boarding and Pastoral Care

British International School of Bacău

Location: Bacău, Romania

Job type: Full Time, Fixed Term (transitioning to permanent contract on school opening)

Start date: August 2027

School opening: September 2027

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Apply by: Rolling basis. Applications reviewed as received; early application encouraged

Interviews: October 2026

Job overview

The British International School of Bacău is proud to announce the opening of Romania's first private boarding school in September 2027. We are seeking an outstanding Founding Head of Boarding and Pastoral Care to join the school's founding leadership team and to establish the boarding provision and whole-school pastoral care model from the ground up. This is a unique opportunity to build a safe, nurturing boarding community founded on the successful model of the British International School of Timișoara, working alongside the founding Head of School and Senior Leadership Team. 

About the School

The British International School of Bacău (BISB) is opening to students in September 2027 as Romania's first private international boarding school. The onsite Boarding School welcomes boarders at Secondary school age. The school is founded on the successful educational model of the British International School of Timișoara, an established international school with over seven years of strong academic outcomes and a trusted reputation among families.

BISB will deliver a high-quality British curriculum to day and boarding students, combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, in line with British Schools Overseas (BSO) standards. The school is founded on the heritage and success of BIST, carrying forward its proven educational philosophy, ethos, and standards of excellence.

The school will welcome its founding cohorts in September 2027, with students aged 5 to 14 (Year 1 to Year 9), growing in a carefully phased way to full secondary provision by 2031. This new campus combines academic ambition, proven leadership, and long-term investment to deliver a sustainable and high-quality educational project from its foundation.

About Bacău

Bacău is one of the most important cities in an historical region in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. A fast-developing city with a rich cultural background and vibrant history, Bacău offers a welcoming community, excellent local amenities, and strong transport links nationally and internationally. It provides an ideal environment for families and staff seeking a combination of cultural heritage, modern facilities, and a growing international presence.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Head of School (BISB), the Founding Head of Boarding and Pastoral Care will:

• Be a core member of the founding team, shaping the Boarding and Pastoral Care phase at our new campus.

• As a member of SLT, collaborate with the SLT team to ensure the delivery of the School Vision and Mission.

• In collaboration, design and establish the boarding programme: house structures, daily and weekend routines, dining, recreation, and residential life.

• Oversee the planning and implementation of SOPs for houseparents, boarding support staff, and the pastoral and wellbeing team. 

• Develop and implement boarding and safeguarding policies, procedures, and operational frameworks aligned with the school, national, Cambridge International and COBIS standards.

• Develop clear communication and reporting to parents and other stakeholders. 

• Act as the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring safeguarding practice meets the highest international standards across day and boarding provision.

• Contribute to the planning of boarding facilities, dining, recreation, and sports infrastructure alongside the founding team.

• Contribute to the development of a whole-school pastoral curriculum, wellbeing programme, and behaviour framework for day and boarding pupils.

• Lead preparations for accreditation and inspections relevant to the Boarding and Pastoral Care phase. 

• Establish emergency, medical, and welfare procedures for boarding pupils.

• Support marketing, admissions, and community engagement, representing the boarding provision to prospective families. 

• Provide regular management data on the Boarding and Pastoral Care Phase to inform continuous improvement.

• Represent the school locally and internationally.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have:

• Senior boarding leadership experience (e.g. Head of Boarding, Housemaster/Housemistress, or equivalent) in UK-style or international schools is essential (minimum 5 years).

• Designated Safeguarding Lead experience or equivalent qualification strongly preferred.

• Track record of school start-up, founding, or launching a new boarding provision desirable.

• Deep pastoral, wellbeing, and safeguarding expertise.

• An International and flexible mindset.

• International mindset, excellent communication skills, and resilience suited to a founding role.

Why Join Us?

• Be a founding leader of Romania's first private international boarding school.

• Shape the boarding programme, pastoral systems, and school culture from inception.

• Work closely with the experienced leadership team from the British International School of Timișoara.

• Competitive salary package and relocation support.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• The attached Application Form (typed into the document not hand written)

• Ensure the three Contact details of three professional referees (one of whom must be your current employer) is complete on the Application Form

• A full CV (in chronological order) is uploaded to your Schrole/TES account to view

Application Instructions

Applications will be considered in the order in which they are received, and the school reserves the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date. Short-listed candidates will be invited for the interview process. 

Mr Philip Thomas 

Head of School 

Safeguarding Statement

The British International School of Bacău is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including enhanced DBS if employed in the UK, ICPC/ACRO valid in the past 6 months and local police check if employed outside of the UK, or equivalent criminal record checks, references, and verification of qualifications.