Academic Vice Principal – Whole School Leadership (Primary & Secondary) Dubai Job Vacancy in UAE Dubai
GEMS Education is hiring an exceptional Academic Vice Principal to oversee both Primary and Secondary School operations starting August 2025. This prestigious leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced academic leader ready to drive strategic development and pedagogical excellence in a high-performing international school setting.
Job Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Education
Function: Education – Executive Leadership
Salary: Negotiable
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Candidate Current Location: Any
What Does an Academic Vice Principal Do?
As Academic Vice Principal, you will lead on all aspects of curriculum delivery, academic performance, and instructional development across both Primary and Secondary phases. Reporting to the Principal, you will play a pivotal role in sustaining the school\'s outstanding educational standards while fostering collaboration, innovation, and accountability across teaching teams.
What Are the Key Responsibilities?
- Provide strategic academic leadership across FS1 to Year 13, ensuring cohesive curriculum delivery and high student performance
- Oversee all pastoral and academic teams within Primary and Secondary, aligning goals with whole-school priorities
- Support and co-lead a high-performing Senior Leadership Team, contributing to school-wide planning, evaluation, and development
- Drive continuous improvement through effective assessment, progress tracking, and data analysis
- Ensure teaching and learning practices meet and exceed global pedagogical standards
- Embed strong quality assurance systems and promote evidence-based instructional leadership
- Build positive relationships with regulatory authorities, ensuring compliance with KHDA and other local guidelines
- Lead staff development initiatives, coaching middle leaders and fostering a collaborative team culture
- Inspire and maintain high expectations for students, staff, and the wider school community
- Actively contribute to a safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking school ethos
What Skills Are Needed for an Academic Vice Principal in Dubai?
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or a relevant field (Master’s degree or NPQH strongly preferred)
Experience:
- Minimum of 5–7 years in school leadership, ideally as a Vice Principal, Principal, or senior leadership team member
- Proven experience leading both Primary and Secondary academic structures in British or international curriculum schools
- Deep understanding of student tracking, progress monitoring, and academic improvement frameworks
- Strong familiarity with Dubai\'s private school regulatory and accreditation landscape
Skills:
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and decision-making abilities
- Deep knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum development, and educational assessment
- Ability to lead and motivate teams toward strategic goals
- Visionary mindset with a hands-on, solution-focused leadership style
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders
What Benefits Come with This Position?
- Competitive tax-free salary
- Fully furnished accommodation or housing allowance
- Tuition fee concessions for dependent children
- Private medical insurance and annual airfare to home country
- End-of-service gratuity in accordance with UAE Labour Law
- Access to the GEMS Rewards App with discounts on lifestyle, retail, and travel across the UAE
- Opportunities for professional development and executive leadership growth within the GEMS global network
About the company
GEMS Education is one of the world’s largest and most established private K-12 education providers. Founded in the UAE in 1959, GEMS operates more than 47 schools across the Middle East and North Africa, serving over 115,000 students. Renowned for excellence in education, innovation, and diversity, GEMS offers dynamic career opportunities across a variety of international curricula.
With a strong focus on academic achievement, personal growth, and future-ready skills, GEMS empowers educational leaders to shape institutions that deliver transformative learning experiences in world-class environments.