Vice Principal - IB Programmes
Posted date [2026-07-01]
(ID: 47266)
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GEMS Education is one of the largest and most respected private K-12 education providers in the world, with deep roots in the UAE since 1959. A trusted name in international education, GEMS operates over 47 schools across the Middle East and North Africa, offering a diverse range of British, American, IB, and Indian curricula to more than 115,000 students. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation in teaching, and world-class learning environments, GEMS Education empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential. Its inclusive and purpose-driven culture supports passionate educators in delivering impactful, future-focused education. Whether you’re an experienced teacher, school leader, or education professional, GEMS Education offers dynamic career growth, continuous professional development, and the chance to be part of a legacy that’s transforming lives through learning.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Vice Principal - IB ProgrammesJob Snapshot
Role: Vice Principal - IB Programmes
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Experience: Minimum 5 years teaching experience and 5 years leadership responsibility
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Vice Principal - IB Programmes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Primary-Secondary Education leadership opportunity for an experienced school leader who can guide PYP, MYP, and DP academic delivery, strengthen student outcomes, and support whole-school improvement. This role requires a strategic and visible leader with deep understanding of IB standards, teaching and learning quality, student wellbeing, safeguarding, KHDA expectations, inspection readiness, and leadership development within a diverse international school community.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: School-College Administration
Salary: 28000-42000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the
employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Vice Principal - IB Programmes will work closely with the Principal and senior leadership team to shape the academic direction, culture, and operational effectiveness of the school. The role focuses on maintaining strong IB programme quality across PYP, MYP, and DP while improving classroom practice, assessment standards, student progress, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, staff performance, and parent engagement. The postholder will help create a high-accountability and supportive learning environment where teachers are developed, students are well supported, and school improvement priorities are delivered with clarity and consistency.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership across the IB continuum, including PYP, MYP, and DP programme delivery.
* Ensure IB standards, programme expectations, documentation, evaluation requirements, and accreditation processes are embedded across the school.
* Lead teaching and learning improvement by raising classroom practice, assessment quality, curriculum planning, and student achievement.
* Support the Principal with the strategic development of the IB continuum and alignment with whole-school priorities.
* Co-line-manage Heads of Department and Middle Leaders, building accountability, professional growth, and strong leadership practice.
* Monitor student progress, achievement, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing through effective data analysis and timely interventions.
* Lead or support safeguarding, child protection, pastoral systems, and inclusive school practices in line with school policies and UAE requirements.
* Contribute to staff recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and succession planning.
* Strengthen curriculum coherence, phase transition, timetable planning, operational systems, and academic continuity across school sections.
* Work with senior leaders to improve quality assurance, school self-evaluation, inspection preparation, and regulatory compliance.
* Support IB evaluation, local accreditation, KHDA inspection readiness, and school improvement documentation.
* Oversee resource planning, staffing allocation, and budget-related priorities where linked to academic and operational goals.
* Build positive relationships with parents and the wider community while acting as a credible senior representative of the school.
* Promote a safe, aspirational, inclusive, and culturally respectful school environment for students and staff.
* Model professional conduct, reflective leadership, resilience, and commitment to the wider life of the school.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor\'s degree in Education is required, or an initial degree with a recognized teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE, Bachelor of Education, or equivalent.
* Minimum 5 years of successful teaching experience.
* Minimum 5 years of middle or senior leadership responsibility within a Primary, Middle, or Senior School setting.
* Leadership experience in an IB Continuum school is strongly preferred.
* Experience teaching or leading within IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme is preferred.
* Proven background in leading teaching and learning, curriculum delivery, pastoral systems, or school improvement.
* Strong understanding of PYP, MYP, and DP systems, IB processes, networks, evaluation, accreditation, and documentation.
* Experience as an IB workshop leader, programme coordinator, consultant, or evaluator is an advantage.
* Strong knowledge of KHDA requirements, inspection frameworks, child protection standards, and UAE education regulations.
* Sound understanding of school operations, including staffing, student wellbeing, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, and resource planning.
* Experience using student data to guide interventions, improve outcomes, and support strategic decision-making.
* Ability to lead change, build trust, and drive improvement in a non-selective and culturally diverse school community.
* Professionally certified teacher meeting relevant regulatory requirements such as KHDA or equivalent.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with staff, students, parents, and senior leaders.
* Strong work ethic, resilience, professional presence, and willingness to contribute fully to school life.
* Master\'s Degree in Education, NPQSL, NPQH, or advanced leadership qualification is preferred but not essential.
* Commitment to continuous professional development, reflective practice, and high standards of educational leadership.
* UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check will be required before appointment.
Skills Set
* IB programme leadership
* PYP coordination
* MYP curriculum leadership
* DP academic oversight
* School leadership
* Teaching and learning improvement
* Curriculum development
* Assessment strategy
* Student progress tracking
* Data-informed intervention
* Pastoral leadership
* Safeguarding leadership
* Child protection
* Behaviour management
* Attendance oversight
* KHDA compliance
* Inspection preparation
* IB evaluation
* Accreditation documentation
* Staff development
* Middle leader coaching
* Performance management
* School self-evaluation
* Quality assurance
* Timetable planning
* Resource planning
* Parent engagement
* Change management
* International school leadership
* Strategic planning
Why Join Us
This position offers a meaningful opportunity for a senior education leader to influence the direction of an established IB school in Dubai. The role provides exposure to strategic school improvement, programme development, staff leadership, inspection readiness, and student experience across a respected education network. It is well suited to a Vice Principal who wants to lead with purpose, support diverse learners, develop future school leaders, and contribute to a high-performing international learning community with strong professional growth potential.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a leading school education provider in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a strong reputation for academic quality, student wellbeing, and professional development. The organization operates a wide network of schools and supports leaders who are committed to improving teaching standards, strengthening school culture, and preparing students for future success. Through its international learning environments, safeguarding focus, and career development pathways, GEMS Education offers school leaders the platform to make a lasting impact.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Vice Principal - IB Programmes will work closely with the Principal and senior leadership team to shape the academic direction, culture, and operational effectiveness of the school. The role focuses on maintaining strong IB programme quality across PYP, MYP, and DP while improving classroom practice, assessment standards, student progress, behaviour, attendance, safeguarding, staff performance, and parent engagement. The postholder will help create a high-accountability and supportive learning environment where teachers are developed, students are well supported, and school improvement priorities are delivered with clarity and consistency.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership across the IB continuum, including PYP, MYP, and DP programme delivery.
* Ensure IB standards, programme expectations, documentation, evaluation requirements, and accreditation processes are embedded across the school.
* Lead teaching and learning improvement by raising classroom practice, assessment quality, curriculum planning, and student achievement.
* Support the Principal with the strategic development of the IB continuum and alignment with whole-school priorities.
* Co-line-manage Heads of Department and Middle Leaders, building accountability, professional growth, and strong leadership practice.
* Monitor student progress, achievement, attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing through effective data analysis and timely interventions.
* Lead or support safeguarding, child protection, pastoral systems, and inclusive school practices in line with school policies and UAE requirements.
* Contribute to staff recruitment, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and succession planning.
* Strengthen curriculum coherence, phase transition, timetable planning, operational systems, and academic continuity across school sections.
* Work with senior leaders to improve quality assurance, school self-evaluation, inspection preparation, and regulatory compliance.
* Support IB evaluation, local accreditation, KHDA inspection readiness, and school improvement documentation.
* Oversee resource planning, staffing allocation, and budget-related priorities where linked to academic and operational goals.
* Build positive relationships with parents and the wider community while acting as a credible senior representative of the school.
* Promote a safe, aspirational, inclusive, and culturally respectful school environment for students and staff.
* Model professional conduct, reflective leadership, resilience, and commitment to the wider life of the school.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor\'s degree in Education is required, or an initial degree with a recognized teaching qualification such as PGCE, PGDE, Bachelor of Education, or equivalent.
* Minimum 5 years of successful teaching experience.
* Minimum 5 years of middle or senior leadership responsibility within a Primary, Middle, or Senior School setting.
* Leadership experience in an IB Continuum school is strongly preferred.
* Experience teaching or leading within IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme is preferred.
* Proven background in leading teaching and learning, curriculum delivery, pastoral systems, or school improvement.
* Strong understanding of PYP, MYP, and DP systems, IB processes, networks, evaluation, accreditation, and documentation.
* Experience as an IB workshop leader, programme coordinator, consultant, or evaluator is an advantage.
* Strong knowledge of KHDA requirements, inspection frameworks, child protection standards, and UAE education regulations.
* Sound understanding of school operations, including staffing, student wellbeing, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, and resource planning.
* Experience using student data to guide interventions, improve outcomes, and support strategic decision-making.
* Ability to lead change, build trust, and drive improvement in a non-selective and culturally diverse school community.
* Professionally certified teacher meeting relevant regulatory requirements such as KHDA or equivalent.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong relationships with staff, students, parents, and senior leaders.
* Strong work ethic, resilience, professional presence, and willingness to contribute fully to school life.
* Master\'s Degree in Education, NPQSL, NPQH, or advanced leadership qualification is preferred but not essential.
* Commitment to continuous professional development, reflective practice, and high standards of educational leadership.
* UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check will be required before appointment.
Skills Set
* IB programme leadership
* PYP coordination
* MYP curriculum leadership
* DP academic oversight
* School leadership
* Teaching and learning improvement
* Curriculum development
* Assessment strategy
* Student progress tracking
* Data-informed intervention
* Pastoral leadership
* Safeguarding leadership
* Child protection
* Behaviour management
* Attendance oversight
* KHDA compliance
* Inspection preparation
* IB evaluation
* Accreditation documentation
* Staff development
* Middle leader coaching
* Performance management
* School self-evaluation
* Quality assurance
* Timetable planning
* Resource planning
* Parent engagement
* Change management
* International school leadership
* Strategic planning
Why Join Us
This position offers a meaningful opportunity for a senior education leader to influence the direction of an established IB school in Dubai. The role provides exposure to strategic school improvement, programme development, staff leadership, inspection readiness, and student experience across a respected education network. It is well suited to a Vice Principal who wants to lead with purpose, support diverse learners, develop future school leaders, and contribute to a high-performing international learning community with strong professional growth potential.
About the Company
GEMS Education is a leading school education provider in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a strong reputation for academic quality, student wellbeing, and professional development. The organization operates a wide network of schools and supports leaders who are committed to improving teaching standards, strengthening school culture, and preparing students for future success. Through its international learning environments, safeguarding focus, and career development pathways, GEMS Education offers school leaders the platform to make a lasting impact.
