High School Program Development Advisor Part-Time Consulting Opportunity with Potential for Full-Time Leadership Hybrid | Thompson, Ohio About Global Connection Academy Global Connection Academy (GCA) is an innovative nonprofit private school located on a 39-acre campus in Thompson, Ohio. GCA is authorized to serve students through Grade 12 and is preparing for the next phase of its growth: the launch of a thoughtfully designed high school program. Our mission is to help students know themselves, discover their gifts, design their paths, and elevate humanity. GCA combines strong academics with individualized learning, real-world application, global connectedness, personal development, and career exploration. As we advance our high school planning, we are seeking an experienced education professional who can help ensure that the academic model, staffing, student services, compliance systems, graduation pathways, and daily operations are ready for a successful launch. The Opportunity The High School Program Development Advisor will work directly with GCA's Founder and Head of School to help shape and prepare the school's high school program. This role will begin as a flexible, part-time consulting engagement. The scope and schedule will evolve according to the program's development needs and the advisor's expertise and availability. As the high school program launches and grows, this opportunity may develop into a full-time high school leadership position for the right person. We are particularly interested in a leader who combines practical high school experience with strong judgment, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to turn a vision into a well-designed, sustainable program. Key Responsibilities Advise on the development and launch of GCA's high school program. Evaluate academic, operational, regulatory, staffing, financial, and student-support readiness. Identify gaps, risks, priorities, and critical decisions that should be addressed before and during launch. Guide the development of the high school academic model, course offerings, graduation pathways, and student experience. Review Ohio high school graduation requirements, credits, testing, transcripts, records, and diploma requirements. Help develop a practical master schedule and staffing model. Recommend appropriate instructional roles, leadership coverage, teacher qualifications, and student-support services. Establish systems for attendance, grading, credits, transcripts, course documentation, and graduation tracking. Help design a process for reviewing incoming transcripts, awarding transfer credits, and identifying individual student needs. Advise on services and systems for students with IEPs and students participating in applicable Ohio scholarship programs. Support the integration of career exploration, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, technology, workforce development, dual enrollment, and other real-world learning opportunities. Assess facility, technology, transportation, safety, food-service, and daily operational considerations. Help identify curriculum, technology, assessment, and student-information systems appropriate for the program. Contribute to startup budgeting, implementation planning, and sustainable program growth. Develop clear recommendations and practical tools that GCA can use during launch and ongoing operations. Initial Areas of Focus The advisor's initial work may include: A high school launch-readiness assessment A gap and risk analysis A recommended academic and staffing model A preliminary course framework and master schedule A compliance and student-records checklist Graduation and credit-tracking procedures Admissions and transcript-review procedures A preliminary startup and operating budget A phased implementation plan with clear priorities and decision points The final scope will be developed collaboratively based on the selected candidate's strengths and GCA's evolving needs. Preferred Qualifications Meaningful experience in high school administration, counseling, curriculum, program development, or school operations Working knowledge of Ohio high school graduation, credit, testing, transcript, and student-record requirements Experience building course schedules, reviewing transcripts, awarding credits, or monitoring graduation progress Experience supporting students with IEPs and diverse academic needs Ability to translate educational and regulatory requirements into practical operating systems Strong strategic judgment, organization, discretion, and written communication Ability to work effectively in a developing, entrepreneurial school environment A collaborative and solutions-oriented approach Commitment to designing a high-quality, student-centered high school experience Experience launching or strengthening a high school, career-technical program, workforce initiative, microschool, alternative education program, or other innovative learning model is especially valuable. Current or former high school administrators, counselors, curriculum leaders, educational consultants, and experienced school-launch professionals are encouraged to apply. Engagement Structure Flexible, part-time consulting engagement Independent contractor arrangement initially Hybrid work, including planning completed remotely and periodic on-campus collaboration in Thompson, Ohio Scope, schedule, project phases, and compensation to be mutually agreed upon Opportunity to take on increasing responsibility as the program develops Potential to transition into a full-time high school leadership position as the program launches and grows, based on organizational needs, program sustainability, performance, and mutual fit Who Will Thrive in This Role The right person will be both visionary and practical. They will know how to ask the questions others may overlook, recognize what must be in place for a responsible launch, and help transform a promising opportunity into a credible and sustainable high school program. This role may be particularly appealing to an experienced education leader who wants to contribute meaningful expertise at the formative stage of a school's growth—and who may be interested in helping lead the program long term. To Apply Please submit a résumé and a brief letter addressing: Your experience with high school leadership, program development, or school operations Your knowledge of Ohio graduation, credit, transcript, and student-record requirements An example of a school or program you helped launch, strengthen, or reorganize Your current availability and interest in a consulting engagement that may grow into a full-time leadership opportunity Global Connection Academy is an equal opportunity organization.

Work Location:

In person