Chief Academic Officer - Education

LEAMS Education; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

LEAMS Education in Dubai seeks a Chief Academic Officer to lead curriculum strategy, instructional improvement and school performance across its network. The role partners with Principals, the Head of Schools and senior teams to raise teaching quality and ensure consistent curriculum delivery in line with UAE requirements.

The successful candidate will implement group-wide academic governance, oversee professional learning and student support services, and drive educational innovation while

Qualifications

• Advanced academic qualification in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction or related field.
• Five+ years of progressively responsible experience at school campus and central administration levels.
• Proven track record in senior educational leadership and academic innovation.
• Strong expertise in curriculum development, implementation, assessment and evaluation.
• Thorough knowledge of the KHDA Education Framework.
• Deep understanding of teaching, learning, curriculum and student support services.
• Experience leading school improvement and academic accountability programmes.
• Ability to supervise multiple academic functions with full responsibility for performance and outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in using assessment data to improve curriculum and instruction.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive education, special education and student intervention services.

Responsibilities

• Develop a group-wide academic strategy with School Principals, corporate academic teams and senior school leaders.
• Establish measurable academic goals that support equitable, standards-aligned instruction for every student.
• Lead curriculum development, implementation, review and assessment across LEAMS Education schools.
• Direct academic functions covering instructional improvement, curriculum and teaching, professional development and exceptional student support.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic business units and recommend improvements.
• Monitor teaching quality, student attainment and school performance across the education network.
• Review assessment data, accountability reports and classroom observations to identify academic priorities.
• Work with the Head of Schools and school leadership teams to update School Improvement Plans.
• Ensure curriculum programmes remain relevant, rigorous and aligned with student needs.
• Present academic performance, accountability results and improvement priorities to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders.

Skills

Academic leadership

Education strategy

Curriculum development

Curriculum implementation

Curriculum assessment

Instructional improvement

School improvement planning

KHDA Education Framework

Academic accountability

Student achievement analysis

Teacher professional development

Inclusive education

Special education oversight

Response to intervention

Educational innovation

School performance monitoring

Assessment data analysis

Academic governance

Stakeholder management

Executive presentations

Educational technology

Child safeguarding

Leadership development

Strategic planning

Community partnerships

University collaboration

Education

Advanced academic qualification in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction or related field

Job description

Chief Academic Officer – Education

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Education Management

Function: Education Management

Experience: Minimum 5 years progressive academic leadership and central administration.

Job Type: Full-time

Chief Academic Officer – Education in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is a senior Education Management opportunity for an accomplished academic leader with expertise in curriculum strategy, instructional improvement, school performance and educational innovation. LEAMS Education is hiring a strategic executive to strengthen academic standards, improve student outcomes and ensure consistent curriculum delivery across its school network.

Role Context

The Chief Academic Officer – Education will provide group‑level leadership for curriculum, instruction, professional learning, school improvement and student support services across LEAMS Education schools. Working closely with School Principals, the Head of Schools, corporate academic teams and senior leadership, the role will establish a unified academic direction aligned with UAE education requirements and organizational priorities.

The position is accountable for raising teaching quality, strengthening curriculum implementation and ensuring equitable access to high‑quality learning for every student. The Chief Academic Officer will use school performance evidence, assessment results and classroom observations to guide improvement strategies and maintain strong academic accountability across the group.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a group‑wide academic strategy with School Principals, corporate academic teams and senior school leaders.
• Establish measurable academic goals that support equitable, standards‑aligned instruction for every student.
• Lead curriculum development, implementation, review and assessment across LEAMS Education schools.
• Direct academic functions covering instructional improvement, curriculum and teaching, professional development and exceptional student support.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic business units and recommend improvements.
• Monitor teaching quality, student attainment and school performance across the education network.
• Review assessment data, accountability reports and classroom observations to identify academic priorities.
• Work with the Head of Schools and school leadership teams to update School Improvement Plans.
• Ensure curriculum programmes remain relevant, rigorous and aligned with student needs.
• Present academic performance, accountability results and improvement priorities to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders.
• Deliver clear written reports and executive presentations on curriculum, instruction and student achievement.
• Collaborate with the Head of Inclusion to ensure effective delivery of special education and intervention services.
• Ensure student support programmes, including special education and response‑to‑intervention services, comply with the KHDA Education Framework.
• Establish consistent standards for academic monitoring, intervention and school evaluation.
• Guide school leaders in improving instructional quality and classroom practice.
• Develop professional learning strategies for teachers, academic leaders and support teams.
• Plan and implement professional development programmes that respond to identified student and teacher needs.
• Monitor the coordination and effectiveness of professional development across all schools.
• Oversee the implementation of new and existing educational programmes.
• Evaluate programme outcomes and recommend changes based on evidence.
• Build partnerships with school systems, community organisations and local universities.
• Promote shared learning, research collaboration and professional exchange.
• Support innovation in teaching, assessment and educational technology.
• Establish clear academic governance, reporting and accountability structures.
• Visit LEAMS Education schools regularly and maintain an active on‑site leadership presence.
• Ensure prompt and consistent attendance during regular business hours and as operationally required.
• Promote child safeguarding and safe learning environments across every school.
• Perform additional responsibilities assigned by the Board of Directors.
• Comply with lawful directives requiring coordinated group‑level leadership and team effort.

People and Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide direction to School Principals, academic leaders and corporate education teams.
• Set clear academic objectives and performance expectations across the school network.
• Build leadership capacity through coaching, mentoring and professional guidance.
• Hold academic teams accountable for instructional quality and student outcomes.
• Encourage collaboration and shared responsibility among schools.
• Support succession planning for key academic leadership positions.
• Promote an evidence‑led culture focused on continuous improvement.
• Resolve complex academic issues through structured problem‑solving and consensus building.
• Maintain productive relationships with school leaders, teachers, parents, regulators and community partners.
• Foster an inclusive leadership environment that values equity, safeguarding and professional integrity.

Ideal Profile

• Advanced academic qualification in Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience at school campus and central administration levels.
• Proven track record in senior educational leadership and academic innovation.
• Strong expertise in curriculum development, implementation, assessment and evaluation.
• Thorough knowledge of the KHDA Education Framework.
• Deep understanding of teaching, learning, curriculum and student support services.
• Experience leading school improvement and academic accountability programmes.
• Ability to supervise multiple academic functions with full responsibility for performance and outcomes.
• Demonstrated success in using assessment data to improve curriculum and instruction.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive education, special education and student intervention services.
• Commitment to child safeguarding and maintaining safe learning environments.
• Strong strategic planning and organisational capabilities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Confident executive presentation and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven problem‑solving, consultation and consensus‑building expertise.
• Strong interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Ability to use educational and administrative technology effectively.
• Willingness to work on‑site and visit all LEAMS Education schools regularly.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a Board of Directors, school leaders and external partners.

Skills Set

• Academic leadership
• Education strategy
• Curriculum development
• Curriculum implementation
• Curriculum assessment
• Instructional improvement
• School improvement planning
• KHDA Education Framework
• Academic accountability
• Student achievement analysis
• Teacher professional development
• Inclusive education
• Special education oversight
• Response to intervention
• Educational innovation
• School performance monitoring
• Assessment data analysis
• Academic governance
• Stakeholder management
• Executive presentations
• Educational technology
• Child safeguarding
• Leadership development
• Consensus building
• Strategic planning
• Community partnerships
• University collaboration

Why Join Us

This executive position offers the opportunity to shape academic direction across a growing education group in Dubai. The Chief Academic Officer will influence curriculum quality, teaching standards, school improvement and student support while working directly with senior leaders and the Board of Directors. The role provides substantial strategic responsibility, network‑wide impact and the ability to introduce sustainable academic improvements across multiple schools. It is well suited to an experienced education leader seeking to advance innovation, equity and measurable student achievement within the Education Management sector.

About the Company

LEAMS Education is an established Dubai‑based education group operating schools that focus on academic achievement, inclusive learning and student wellbeing. The organisation supports structured curriculum delivery, continuous teacher development and strong school leadership while maintaining alignment with UAE education standards and child safeguarding requirements.