Job Discussion Forums

[Malsol]

An established English school is branching out into adult and business students.

They have asked me to be the DOS.

They want me to propose a base salary and percentage of tuition for my compensation and they want me to write my job description.

This is far beyond my knowledge. You have been around a while. Any suggestions?

[Pollux]

I'd say double your present salary and half your teaching hours.

Then, sit down and think of ways you can improve the existing operation. If you can't, then decline the offer. Maybe you're not ready. No shame there. Do a search on DOS responsibilities.

[Justin Trullinger]

Investigate the size of the program, and talk to them about hours. If you're required to be in full time admin, your salary should reflect what you lose by now longer teaching full time, plus something more for the added responsibility.

Personally, I'd look very carefully at the percentage of tuition clause- it sounds a lot like selling on commision, which I haven't generally seen to be compatible with education.


Justin

[Sekhmet]

I just want to agree with Justin's points - selling teaching on commission? Also, the amount of pay you receive should (technically) reflect the amount of work you do. If it's a big operation, and you're going to be in charge of scheduling, coordinating teachers, curriculum design, etc. etc. etc., then you're going to need to be paid a lot more than if you're just stepping into someone elses shoes on a program that has been running for a while...

[Pollux]

Sekhmet,

I think he is looking for advice.

[Malsol]

It is called a Chinese partnership, not selling on commission.

Partner receives % of sales but does no selling, other than white face used as magnate.

[Malsol]

A Chinese language school, around for 6 years and doing well, wants to expand by creating an adult education division to teach adults and do business training.

For their own reasons they think I am the right person to take on this new division but they want me to have a vested interest, a partnership. With a vested interest I will work harder.

I did not like the idea of a partnership where net profits are split.

And, I did not want to be a partner without daily influence on the business operations.

It was agreed that I would manage the new division and would receive not only a partnership share, but a percentage of gross, not net. Some here have called that a sales commission. No it is a percentage of gross. Do you have any idea what a Chinese partner can charge off as a business expense to reduce net? I want a percentage of gross tuition revenue.

Since the division is new, I will also act as DOS until we have enough students and teachers.

I have never been a DOS, never wanted to be a DOS and still do not want to be a DOS. This is temporary.

My initial capital contribution is non-monetary.

I was thinking that my base salary should be 15,000 with a 12% of gross tuition. The 15,000 is not nearly enough for the 50 to 60 hours I will put in each week. Remember that owners work longer hours for less.

It is the 12% where the future lies. Is it worth it to help build this division? Gross tuition is projected to reach 3 mil rmb in two years or less.

Is this partnership and all the hard work and long hours worth 450,000 rmb a year?

If this flops, I have still had 15,000 a month and that is not so bad, is it?

But I am older and retired once. Do I want this? You cannot help me with this question.

In adult education I am going to meet a lot of nice Chinese ladies who are sexually very unhappy. (I am not that "older.") I am also going to meet many important business people and maybe a better opportunity will arise.

Or, I can continue to teach University core business courses, 12 hrs a week for 12,000 rmb, kick back and enjoy life. I have earned it.

[Dragonlady]

deleted

[Malsol]

Let me ask Sigmund. lol