Principal - School Leadership
Posted date [2026-09-23]
(ID: 52350)
 |
Aldar Education is a leading education provider in the UAE, delivering inclusive, sustainable, and innovative learning experiences that inspire students and support community development. The organization offers a diverse portfolio of educational brands, covering all stages from early years to adult learning, with a wide range of curricula across multiple locations in Abu Dhabi and beyond. With a mix of owned and managed schools, Aldar Education ensures high standards in teaching, modern facilities, and a supportive environment for students, educators, and staff, maintaining a strong commitment to quality education and continuous improvement.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Principal - School LeadershipJob Snapshot
Role: Principal
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Experience: Minimum 10 years in education, including 5 years in senior leadership
Job Type: Full Time
Position Overview
Aldar Education is seeking an experienced Principal for a Full Time, on-site school leadership role in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, commencing August 2027 or sooner by appointment. The Principal will provide strategic and educational leadership across teaching and learning, school improvement, staff performance, resource management and community engagement. The role requires an established senior education leader capable of using evidence, assessment data and effective management practices to strengthen student achievement and guide sustained school development.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Salary: Not disclosed
Gender: No Preference
Candidate Nationality: Not specified
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Strategic School Leadership
* Establish
the overall aims, objectives and strategic direction of the school and develop policies that support their implementation.
* Provide a clear educational vision that promotes effective teaching, successful learning and sustained student achievement.
* Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based school improvement plans.
* Establish long, medium and short-term priorities and targets that support educational success.
* Engage parents and the wider community in the school\'s vision and strategic direction.
* Ensure strategic plans are supported by appropriate financial planning and resource allocation.
* Align management, finance, organization and administration with the school\'s objectives.
* Use school data, inspection findings and relevant evidence to inform policies and improvement priorities.
* Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of school policies, priorities and targets and take corrective action when required.
* Encourage creativity, innovation and appropriate use of emerging technologies.
* Ensure strategic planning reflects the diversity, values and experiences of the school and the wider UAE community.
Leading Teaching and Learning
* Ensure students receive high-quality education within a safe and healthy learning environment.
* Maintain a consistent school-wide focus on student achievement and progress.
* Use assessment data and appropriate benchmarks to monitor learning outcomes.
* Keep teaching and learning central to strategic planning and resource management.
* Develop creative, responsive and effective approaches to classroom teaching.
* Establish a culture that combines academic challenge with appropriate student support.
* Set high expectations and ambitious targets for student achievement.
* Implement strategies that promote high standards of behaviour and attendance.
* Lead the development and implementation of a diverse, flexible and engaging curriculum.
* Maintain an effective assessment framework.
* Promote the strategic use of new and emerging technologies to extend learning opportunities.
* Monitor and evaluate classroom practice and implement improvement strategies where required.
* Ensure underperformance is identified, challenged and followed by effective corrective action.
Staff Leadership and Performance
* Maximize the contribution of staff to improve educational quality and student outcomes.
* Promote constructive professional relationships among staff and students.
* Plan, allocate, support and evaluate the work of teams and individual employees.
* Delegate responsibilities clearly while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.
* Support a reasonable distribution of responsibilities among teachers and other staff.
* Maintain effective staff induction arrangements for both the UAE context and the individual school.
* Implement effective performance management systems supported by appropriate key performance indicators.
* Establish a professional culture characterized by high expectations for individual and collective performance.
* Address unsatisfactory performance appropriately.
* Participate positively in arrangements for Principal performance management.
* Encourage staff participation in relevant training and professional development.
People, Finance and Resource Management
* Work with Aldar Education and senior colleagues to recruit high-quality staff.
* Deploy and develop employees effectively to strengthen educational provision.
* Advise Aldar Education on expenditure priorities and support effective financial administration and control.
* Manage school accommodation and facilities effectively in collaboration with Aldar Education.
* Ensure facilities support curriculum requirements and applicable health and safety standards.
* Support the security and appropriate supervision of school buildings, grounds and contents where required.
* Ensure maintenance concerns are appropriately reported.
* Maintain effective health and safety procedures and ensure appropriate risk assessments are undertaken.
* Monitor the quality, quantity and use of available resources.
* Promote efficient resource utilization, value for money and improved educational outcomes.
Governance and Accountability
* Provide information, objective advice and support to Aldar Education in relation to its responsibilities to ADEK and ADEZ.
* Present clear and accurate information about school performance to Aldar Education, parents and other relevant audiences.
* Ensure parents and students receive appropriate information about curriculum, attainment and academic progress.
* Help parents and students understand how they can contribute to school improvement priorities.
* Provide relevant information regarding staff performance where required for future employment purposes.
* Maintain clear accountability for progress against established school priorities.
School and Community Engagement
* Develop a school culture and curriculum that reflects the diversity of the local community.
* Promote positive approaches to addressing prejudice, discrimination and harassment.
* Connect student learning experiences with the wider UAE community.
* Support appropriate community-based learning opportunities.
* Encourage meaningful involvement from parents, carers, community representatives, businesses and other organizations.
* Cooperate with relevant agencies responsible for protecting children.
* Develop effective relationships with the local community.
* Maintain close collaboration with other schools across the Aldar Education network.
Qualifications
* BA in Education, or a Bachelor\'s Degree with a relevant teaching qualification.
* Master\'s Degree in Education or Educational Leadership, NPQH or a similar professional qualification.
Leadership Experience
* Minimum 10 years of experience in education.
* Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership position.
Knowledge and Leadership Skills
* Fluent written and spoken English.
* Strong educational leadership and supervisory capability.
* Ability to analyze information systematically and make informed decisions.
* Strong organizational skills for managing personal and team priorities.
* Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and perform effectively under pressure.
* Results-focused approach with attention to detail and diligent follow-up.
* Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
* Effective interpersonal and professional communication skills.
* Ability to influence and build professional networks with cultural sensitivity.
* Ability to lead organizational change positively and demonstrate resilience in a demanding environment.
* Commercial awareness relevant to school leadership and resource management.
* Willingness to provide additional commitment when operational priorities require it.
* Commitment to sustainability and responsible organizational practices.
* Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding.
* Clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check or police check.
Benefits and Professional Development
The employment package described by Aldar Education includes:
* Medical cover.
* Flights.
* Housing.
* Free school places for children.
* Professional development, coaching and training.
* Access to a wider professional network.
* Opportunities to lead and contribute to professional training and development.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.
Aldar Education states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply as part of its national development strategy.
About Aldar Education
Aldar Education is an Abu Dhabi-based education group operating owned and managed schools in the United Arab Emirates. The group provides several educational pathways, including the English National Curriculum, American Massachusetts State Curriculum and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Its network serves more than 34,000 students and supports continued investment in school leadership, teaching quality and professional development.
* Provide a clear educational vision that promotes effective teaching, successful learning and sustained student achievement.
* Lead the development and implementation of evidence-based school improvement plans.
* Establish long, medium and short-term priorities and targets that support educational success.
* Engage parents and the wider community in the school\'s vision and strategic direction.
* Ensure strategic plans are supported by appropriate financial planning and resource allocation.
* Align management, finance, organization and administration with the school\'s objectives.
* Use school data, inspection findings and relevant evidence to inform policies and improvement priorities.
* Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of school policies, priorities and targets and take corrective action when required.
* Encourage creativity, innovation and appropriate use of emerging technologies.
* Ensure strategic planning reflects the diversity, values and experiences of the school and the wider UAE community.
Leading Teaching and Learning
* Ensure students receive high-quality education within a safe and healthy learning environment.
* Maintain a consistent school-wide focus on student achievement and progress.
* Use assessment data and appropriate benchmarks to monitor learning outcomes.
* Keep teaching and learning central to strategic planning and resource management.
* Develop creative, responsive and effective approaches to classroom teaching.
* Establish a culture that combines academic challenge with appropriate student support.
* Set high expectations and ambitious targets for student achievement.
* Implement strategies that promote high standards of behaviour and attendance.
* Lead the development and implementation of a diverse, flexible and engaging curriculum.
* Maintain an effective assessment framework.
* Promote the strategic use of new and emerging technologies to extend learning opportunities.
* Monitor and evaluate classroom practice and implement improvement strategies where required.
* Ensure underperformance is identified, challenged and followed by effective corrective action.
Staff Leadership and Performance
* Maximize the contribution of staff to improve educational quality and student outcomes.
* Promote constructive professional relationships among staff and students.
* Plan, allocate, support and evaluate the work of teams and individual employees.
* Delegate responsibilities clearly while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability.
* Support a reasonable distribution of responsibilities among teachers and other staff.
* Maintain effective staff induction arrangements for both the UAE context and the individual school.
* Implement effective performance management systems supported by appropriate key performance indicators.
* Establish a professional culture characterized by high expectations for individual and collective performance.
* Address unsatisfactory performance appropriately.
* Participate positively in arrangements for Principal performance management.
* Encourage staff participation in relevant training and professional development.
People, Finance and Resource Management
* Work with Aldar Education and senior colleagues to recruit high-quality staff.
* Deploy and develop employees effectively to strengthen educational provision.
* Advise Aldar Education on expenditure priorities and support effective financial administration and control.
* Manage school accommodation and facilities effectively in collaboration with Aldar Education.
* Ensure facilities support curriculum requirements and applicable health and safety standards.
* Support the security and appropriate supervision of school buildings, grounds and contents where required.
* Ensure maintenance concerns are appropriately reported.
* Maintain effective health and safety procedures and ensure appropriate risk assessments are undertaken.
* Monitor the quality, quantity and use of available resources.
* Promote efficient resource utilization, value for money and improved educational outcomes.
Governance and Accountability
* Provide information, objective advice and support to Aldar Education in relation to its responsibilities to ADEK and ADEZ.
* Present clear and accurate information about school performance to Aldar Education, parents and other relevant audiences.
* Ensure parents and students receive appropriate information about curriculum, attainment and academic progress.
* Help parents and students understand how they can contribute to school improvement priorities.
* Provide relevant information regarding staff performance where required for future employment purposes.
* Maintain clear accountability for progress against established school priorities.
School and Community Engagement
* Develop a school culture and curriculum that reflects the diversity of the local community.
* Promote positive approaches to addressing prejudice, discrimination and harassment.
* Connect student learning experiences with the wider UAE community.
* Support appropriate community-based learning opportunities.
* Encourage meaningful involvement from parents, carers, community representatives, businesses and other organizations.
* Cooperate with relevant agencies responsible for protecting children.
* Develop effective relationships with the local community.
* Maintain close collaboration with other schools across the Aldar Education network.
Qualifications
* BA in Education, or a Bachelor\'s Degree with a relevant teaching qualification.
* Master\'s Degree in Education or Educational Leadership, NPQH or a similar professional qualification.
Leadership Experience
* Minimum 10 years of experience in education.
* Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership position.
Knowledge and Leadership Skills
* Fluent written and spoken English.
* Strong educational leadership and supervisory capability.
* Ability to analyze information systematically and make informed decisions.
* Strong organizational skills for managing personal and team priorities.
* Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and perform effectively under pressure.
* Results-focused approach with attention to detail and diligent follow-up.
* Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
* Effective interpersonal and professional communication skills.
* Ability to influence and build professional networks with cultural sensitivity.
* Ability to lead organizational change positively and demonstrate resilience in a demanding environment.
* Commercial awareness relevant to school leadership and resource management.
* Willingness to provide additional commitment when operational priorities require it.
* Commitment to sustainability and responsible organizational practices.
* Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding.
* Clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check or police check.
Benefits and Professional Development
The employment package described by Aldar Education includes:
* Medical cover.
* Flights.
* Housing.
* Free school places for children.
* Professional development, coaching and training.
* Access to a wider professional network.
* Opportunities to lead and contribute to professional training and development.
Safeguarding and Inclusion
Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.
Aldar Education states that it is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply as part of its national development strategy.
About Aldar Education
Aldar Education is an Abu Dhabi-based education group operating owned and managed schools in the United Arab Emirates. The group provides several educational pathways, including the English National Curriculum, American Massachusetts State Curriculum and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Its network serves more than 34,000 students and supports continued investment in school leadership, teaching quality and professional development.
