Director of Digital Learning and Innovation

The Director of Digital Learning & Innovation provides whole-school leadership for the effective use of digital learning and educational technology at the International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC).
Working within Cognita's Group strategy and operating model for Education Innovation, EdTech, Digital Learning and Technology, the Director leads the school-level implementation and adoption of digital learning approaches and technologies that enhance teaching, learning and the experience of students, staff and families.
The Director works closely with academic leaders, educators, Digital Learning/EdTech staff and Cognita Platform teams to translate Group strategy and emerging opportunities into effective practice at ISHCMC. The role also represents the educational and operational needs of the school to relevant Cognita teams, helping ensure that Group platforms and solutions are effectively embedded within the school's context.
The role provides an important connection between education, digital learning and technology, while recognising that ownership of enterprise school systems, technical architecture, integrations, data platforms and core technology services sits with the appropriate Cognita Technology and Platform functions.

Responsibilities

Safeguarding Statement It is the job holder’s responsibility to promote the safeguarding and the welfare of children and young person’s for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the relevant Cognita Safeguarding; Child Protection Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the role, the job holder identifies any instance that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm either at school or at home, s/he must report any concerns to the School’s Child Protection Officer/Designated Safeguarding Lead or to the Head of indeed to the Regional CEP so that a referral can be made accordingly to the relevant third part services.

Key Responsibilities
1. Digital Learning Strategy & Implementation

• Lead the implementation and contextualization of Cognita's digital learning and education innovation strategy at ISHCMC, aligned with the school's educational priorities.
• Work with the Deputy Head of School (Academic), Principals and academic leaders to establish clear expectations for the effective use of digital learning across the school.
• Promote a coherent whole-school approach to digital learning that supports high-quality teaching and learning and responds appropriately to the needs of Primary and Secondary.
• Translate Group digital learning priorities into practical school-level plans, initiatives and professional learning.
• Identify local educational priorities and opportunities and work with relevant Cognita teams to determine how these can be addressed within the Group's digital strategy and technology environment.
• Evaluate the impact of digital learning initiatives and use evidence and feedback to inform continuous improvement.
  2. Learning Technology & Innovation
• Lead the practical implementation of agreed learning technology and innovation initiatives across ISHCMC.
• Work with academic leaders, coordinators and Digital Learning/EdTech staff to identify ways in which technology can meaningfully enhance teaching, learning, creativity and student agency.
• Support the effective development of ISHCMC's Apple learning environment and associated educational technologies.
• Provide school-level leadership for agreed initiatives involving areas such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, coding, digital creativity, MakerSpace/FabLab and emerging learning technologies.
• Support coherent opportunities for students to engage with digital innovation through curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular experiences.
• Identify opportunities to pilot emerging technologies in partnership with appropriate Cognita teams where there is a clear educational purpose and agreed mechanism for evaluating impact.
• Promote responsible, safe and age-appropriate use of digital technologies in accordance with Cognita policies and guidance.
  3. Adoption, Professional Learning & User Experience
• Build the capability and confidence of educators to use agreed digital tools and learning technologies effectively.
• Identify professional learning needs associated with digital learning and the implementation of new or developing technologies.
• Coordinate appropriate professional learning with Digital Learning/EdTech staff, academic leaders, Cognita Platform teams and external providers where appropriate.
• Provide leadership and direction to school-based Digital Learning/EdTech staff within the structure of the role.
• Support effective digital onboarding for new academic staff.
• Encourage sharing of effective and innovative digital learning practice across Primary and Secondary.
• Gather feedback from students, educators and other users to identify opportunities to improve the educational digital experience.
• Support school leaders in promoting consistent and effective adoption of agreed digital learning approaches and platforms.
  4. School-Level Digital Enablement
• Support the effective school-level adoption and educational use of Group-approved digital platforms and applications.
• Work with academic, pastoral and administrative leaders to understand how digital platforms can best support agreed school processes and educational priorities.
• Work in partnership with the Cog Head of IT and relevant Cognita Platform teams to identify local requirements, implementation challenges and opportunities for improvement.
• Support the effective embedding and use of relevant SIS, LMS and other school-platform functionality where this directly connects with teaching, learning, assessment, reporting, pastoral practice or the user experience.
• Help translate educational requirements into clear user needs that can be communicated to the appropriate Technology and Platform teams.
• Support staff understanding and adoption when new Group systems, functionality or workflows are introduced.
• Gather and communicate structured school-level feedback on the effectiveness of Group platforms and solutions.
• Escalate technical, integration, data or system requirements through the appropriate Cognita support and governance structures.
  5. Partnership, Insight & Continuous Improvement
• Act as ISHCMC's key educational contact for Cognita's Education Innovation, EdTech and Digital Learning teams.
• Develop effective working relationships with the Cog Head of IT and relevant Technology, School Solutions and Data & AI teams.
• Represent ISHCMC's educational requirements, user experience and school context within relevant Group discussions and initiatives.
• Participate actively in Cognita digital learning networks, pilots and collaborative projects where appropriate.
• Share effective ISHCMC practice with other Cognita schools and contribute to the development of Group knowledge and practice.
• Bring relevant Group developments, resources and opportunities into ISHCMC and support their effective implementation.
• Maintain awareness of emerging developments in educational technology and digital learning and contribute professional insight to discussions about their potential educational value.
• Advise the Deputy Head of School (Academic) and other school leaders on opportunities, risks and priorities relating specifically to digital learning and educational technology.

Working within the Cognita Platform Model
The Director of Digital Learning & Innovation works within Cognita's Group operating model for Technology, Education Innovation, EdTech and Digital Learning.

Ownership and governance of enterprise school systems, technical architecture, system integrations, data platforms, cybersecurity, core infrastructure, enterprise technology procurement and technology lifecycle sit with the appropriate Cognita Technology and Platform functions.

The Director provides the school-based educational leadership required to translate Group strategy, platforms and digital opportunities into effective practice at ISHCMC. The role works collaboratively with Platform teams, contributes school-level insight and identifies local requirements while operating within agreed Group standards, policies and governance.

This partnership is intended to provide appropriate consistency and scale across Cognita while retaining the ability for ISHCMC to respond effectively to its educational context, priorities and community.

Position Requirements

Essential

• Significant experience in digital learning, educational technology, education innovation or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of how digital technologies can enhance high-quality teaching and learning.
• Experience leading digital learning or educational technology initiatives within a school or comparable educational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and support successful adoption of new technologies and working practices.
• Experience designing, coordinating or facilitating professional learning for educators.
• Understanding of Student Information Systems, Learning Management Systems and other digital platforms used within schools, particularly from an educational and user perspective.
• Ability to work effectively across educational, technical and operational teams.
• Strong project management, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate between educational requirements and technology-enabled solutions.
• A collaborative approach to working within wider organisational structures and shared-service environments.
• Commitment to safeguarding, data protection, responsible technology use and Cognita policies and standards.

Desirable

• Experience within an international or K-12 school environment.
• Previous teaching, instructional coaching or educational leadership experience.
• Bachelor's or master’s degree in education, Educational Technology or a related discipline.
• Experience within an Apple educational environment.
• Experience with iSAMS or comparable Student Information Systems and school Learning Management Systems.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and its emerging applications within education.
• Experience with robotics, coding, digital creativity or MakerSpace/FabLab environments.
• Experience working within a multi-school, regional or Group technology/education structure.

Key Working Relationships

The Director will work particularly closely with the Deputy Head of School (Academic), Head of School, Primary and Secondary Principals, academic and curriculum leaders, Digital Learning/EdTech staff, Cog Head of IT and local IT colleagues, and Cognita's Education Innovation, EdTech, Digital Learning, School Solutions and Data & AI teams.
The Director will also collaborate with pastoral and administrative leaders where the effective adoption of digital platforms intersects with teaching, learning, assessment, reporting, student experience or school processes.

How to Apply:

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is: 28th September 2026. The Applications will be considered upon receipt

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair and equitable in our recruitment process.

Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.