Chief Learning & Education Officer (CLEO) - Phnom Penh, Cambodia - July 2026
- Country:
- Cambodia
- Region:
- School - South and Southeast Asia
- Curriculum:
- Other, USA
- Level:
- Early Years (0-4), Primary-Lower (5-7), Secondary/ Middle(12-15), Secondary/High(16-18)
- Start Date:
- 01 July 2026
- Initial Contract Length:
- 2 year, renewable
- Curriculum Experience Required:
- Yes - not flexible
- Chief Learning and Education Officer (CLEO)
- Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- This is a multi-campus role across all 3 schools
- Start July 2026
- An excellent remuneration package is available for the right candidate.
CIA FIRST is seeking an exceptional academic leader to drive the next phase of educational excellence across its campuses. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Learning and Education Officer (CLEO) will shape and lead the school’s academic vision, teaching quality, and learning innovation in a fast-evolving educational landscape.
About the Role
The CLEO is the senior executive responsible for academic direction, curriculum development, and student achievement. This role demands a strategic thinker who can bridge innovation and pedagogy, ensuring learning remains relevant and future-focused. The CLEO will work closely with Principals, Heads of School, and leadership teams to build a culture of excellence, inclusion, and digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Academic Leadership
- Define and drive a shared vision for academic excellence aligned with CIA FIRST’s mission and values.
- Lead curriculum coherence and academic standards across divisions.
- Build collaboration between schools and departments to ensure alignment and accountability.
- Oversee WASC accreditation, internal quality assurance, and schoolwide academic benchmarking.
Digital Strategy and Innovation
- Lead a forward-thinking digital education strategy, integrating technology, design thinking, and coding into the learning framework.
- Oversee online and blended learning development to future-proof education delivery.
- Partner with the leadership team to ensure infrastructure and technology align with the school’s digital vision.
- Stay ahead of emerging educational technologies and their practical classroom applications.
Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Excellence
- Provide pedagogical leadership that supports teachers as reflective, research-informed practitioners.
- Embed inquiry-led teaching practices that motivate, challenge, and inspire all learners.
- Oversee curriculum design, assessment cycles, MAP implementation, and use of data to drive improvement.
- Lead inclusive education, ensuring strong support for learning needs, EAL, counselling, and well-being.
Operational Leadership and Capacity Building
- Develop leadership capability among Heads of School through coaching, performance management, and goal setting.
- Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to build collaboration and teacher growth.
- Work with HR to recruit, retain, and develop exceptional educators.
- Manage academic budgets and track progress against defined KPIs.
Candidate Profile
- Minimum 10 years of progressive educational leadership, including experience as Principal or senior executive.
- Strong US curriculum experience (ideally IB as well)
- Proven record in curriculum leadership, digital learning, and teaching innovation.
- Skilled in strategic planning, change management, and stakeholder alignment.
- Deep understanding of WASC accreditation, international curricula, and inclusive education.
- Master’s or Doctorate in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Educational Leadership.
Performance Measures
- Student growth in internal and external assessments.
- Delivery of digital transformation and academic improvement plans.
- WASC accreditation milestones achieved.
- Teacher performance and retention.
Qualified applicants should register with Edvectus and send their CV and cover letter to Abby at leadership@edvectus.com.
Please note that due to the Christmas break, candidates will not be contacted until the 2nd week of January or after.
- Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- This is a multi-campus role across all 3 schools
- Start July 2026
- An excellent remuneration package is available for the right candidate.
CIA FIRST is seeking an exceptional academic leader to drive the next phase of educational excellence across its campuses. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Chief Learning and Education Officer (CLEO) will shape and lead the school’s academic vision, teaching quality, and learning innovation in a fast-evolving educational landscape.
About the Role
The CLEO is the senior executive responsible for academic direction, curriculum development, and student achievement. This role demands a strategic thinker who can bridge innovation and pedagogy, ensuring learning remains relevant and future-focused. The CLEO will work closely with Principals, Heads of School, and leadership teams to build a culture of excellence, inclusion, and digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Academic Leadership
- Define and drive a shared vision for academic excellence aligned with CIA FIRST’s mission and values.
- Lead curriculum coherence and academic standards across divisions.
- Build collaboration between schools and departments to ensure alignment and accountability.
- Oversee WASC accreditation, internal quality assurance, and schoolwide academic benchmarking.
Digital Strategy and Innovation
- Lead a forward-thinking digital education strategy, integrating technology, design thinking, and coding into the learning framework.
- Oversee online and blended learning development to future-proof education delivery.
- Partner with the leadership team to ensure infrastructure and technology align with the school’s digital vision.
- Stay ahead of emerging educational technologies and their practical classroom applications.
Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Excellence
- Provide pedagogical leadership that supports teachers as reflective, research-informed practitioners.
- Embed inquiry-led teaching practices that motivate, challenge, and inspire all learners.
- Oversee curriculum design, assessment cycles, MAP implementation, and use of data to drive improvement.
- Lead inclusive education, ensuring strong support for learning needs, EAL, counselling, and well-being.
Operational Leadership and Capacity Building
- Develop leadership capability among Heads of School through coaching, performance management, and goal setting.
- Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to build collaboration and teacher growth.
- Work with HR to recruit, retain, and develop exceptional educators.
- Manage academic budgets and track progress against defined KPIs.
Candidate Profile
- Minimum 10 years of progressive educational leadership, including experience as Principal or senior executive.
- Strong US curriculum experience (ideally IB as well)
- Proven record in curriculum leadership, digital learning, and teaching innovation.
- Skilled in strategic planning, change management, and stakeholder alignment.
- Deep understanding of WASC accreditation, international curricula, and inclusive education.
- Master’s or Doctorate in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Educational Leadership.
Performance Measures
- Student growth in internal and external assessments.
- Delivery of digital transformation and academic improvement plans.
- WASC accreditation milestones achieved.
- Teacher performance and retention.
Qualified applicants should register with Edvectus and send their CV and cover letter to Abby at leadership@edvectus.com.
Please note that due to the Christmas break, candidates will not be contacted until the 2nd week of January or after.
- Number Of Students:
- 5500 over all campuses
- Student Make Up:
- 40+ nationalities
- Regional Info:
- The school is located in Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh, which is in the south east central part of the country on the Mekong, Bassac and Tonte Sap rivers. Phnom Penh is home to over 2 million people and is the political, commercial and cultural centre of the country. It's a great city for expats with good healthcare, rich history, delicious food, affordable accommodation, a wide variety of budget-friendly activites, hospitable people and affordable cost of living (being much cheaper than other Asian cities such as Singapore and Bangkok). It is also easily accessible with an international airport. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia Phnom Penh Vacation Travel Guide - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0f7uCDyT00 Cambodia Travel Guide - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJf6qHZTTU0 Cost of living https://youtu.be/nw-EJqH3pGw?si=PwmS9GYaRezuMg0e Top 5 Tips for Renting an Apartment for Expats https://youtu.be/O2DP8W6C-nY?si=Gmious1o9dvoo6oz
- Tax Rate:
- Taxes typically 15% or less
- Housing:
- Allowance on top of salary
- Benefits:
- Flights - allowance, Medical or Health insurance, Tuition - allowance, Tuition discount for dependants
- Minimum Years Experience:
- 10.0
- Curriculum Experience Required:
- Yes - not flexible
- Will Accept Newly Qualified Teachers:
- N
- Visa Restriction:
- 2 years post qualification teaching exp requd, No age limit