Position:
Chairman of the Board of Fellows
Employment Type
Full-time (Remote)
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
We seek an exceptional intellectual leader with a distinguished career in academia, public life, or thought leadership. The ideal candidate is deeply committed to intellectual inquiry, has a strong record of scholarly achievement, and is enthusiastic about mentoring students and shaping educational innovation.
As the Chairman of the Board of Fellows, you will provide strategic leadership and intellectual guidance to ensure the Institute maintains and enhances its reputation for academic excellence. You will collaborate closely with the Director General, the Deputy Director of Academics, and the broader academic leadership team to drive innovation in education, expand academic offerings, and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers.
Your vision will lead and inspire the academic department, playing a central role in shaping the experiences of John Locke students and essay prize participants. Through your leadership, you will guide the next generation of top minds, helping them emerge from their scholastic endeavors prepared to make a lasting impact on the world. Your strategic insights and intellectual leadership will influence not only the academic programming of the Institute but also how young scholars engage with complex ideas and contribute to global thought leadership.
A key aspect of this role is the close partnership with the full-time, dedicated Deputy Director of Academics, whose sole purpose is to support the Chairman of the Board of Fellows in carrying out their vision. The Deputy Director will provide ongoing executional support to ensure that your vision is effectively implemented. Acting as your right hand, they will translate strategic goals into actionable initiatives and ensure smooth operational execution. This structure enables the Chairman to focus on high-level vision and thought leadership while having a dedicated partner to manage execution.
Key Responsibilities
The Chairman of the Board of Fellows is responsible for setting the intellectual tone and vision for the academic department, ensuring that the Institute continues to provide world-class educational experiences for its students. This is a high-level strategic role, not an administrative one, and the Chairman will have significant support to carry their ideas forward. This position is designed to be influential yet manageable in scope, reflecting its part-time nature while ensuring that the Chairman’s vision is fully realized.
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Setting the Academic Vision
Define the intellectual direction of the Institute and ensure that all programmes reflect the highest standards of academic excellence.
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Guiding Innovation in Education
Introduce and champion new ideas, programmes, and teaching methods that elevate the Institute’s offerings.
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Building the Fellows Network
Expand and strengthen the Board of Fellows, bringing together top scholars and thought leaders to support the Institute’s mission.
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Shaping the Next Generation
Guide and inspire students and essay prize participants, shaping their intellectual journeys and encouraging them to become influential thinkers and leaders.
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Inspiring Faculty & Students
Shape the academic culture, setting a tone of rigor, curiosity, and open inquiry.
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Thought Leadership
Represent the Institute in public discourse, contributing to debates in academia, media, and policy circles.
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Providing Strategic Counsel
Serve as a key advisor to the Director General and Deputy Director of Academics, ensuring alignment between vision and execution.
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Leveraging Executional Support
Work closely with the Deputy Director of Academics, who will ensure that strategic initiatives are successfully implemented, allowing the Chairman to focus on vision and inspiration rather than day-to-day operations.
Qualifications & Experience
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Eminent scholar, public intellectual, or academic leader with a strong international reputation.
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Demonstrated expertise in philosophy, politics, economics, history, law, or a related discipline.
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Proven experience in advisory or leadership roles in academic institutions or think tanks.
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Strong network of scholars, educators, and policymakers.
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Passion for mentorship, intellectual debate, and educational innovation.
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.