Head of Performing Arts - Drama
Gems Education UAE
Turn this role into an interview — a resume and cover letter built around what this employer wants.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Gems Education UAE is seeking a Head of Performing Arts - Drama in Dubai. This senior role requires a passionate educator to lead the Performing Arts department, develop the curriculum, and inspire students through creative engagement and performances.
The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in a related field, strong leadership skills, and experience in a British curriculum school. Benefits include a competitive tax-free salary, accommodation, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience within a performing arts department.
- Strong subject knowledge in drama and the wider performing arts curriculum.
- Demonstrated commitment to outstanding teaching and raising student achievement.
Responsibilities
- Lead the Performing Arts department focusing on teaching quality and student progress.
- Deliver outstanding drama lessons that achieve strong outcomes.
- Support students in performance skills and creativity.
Skills
Education
Job description
Head of Performing Arts - Drama
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Primary-Secondary Education
Function: Classroom Teaching
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: 18,000–28,000 AED per month (tax‑free, leadership allowance, fully furnished accommodation, free schooling for dependent children, private medical insurance, annual flights to country of residence, End of Service Gratuity, free access to GEMS Rewards).
Head of Performing Arts - Drama at GEMS Metropole School Motor City is a senior primary‑secondary education role for an experienced performing arts leader who can drive excellence in drama, creative learning, student performance, curriculum development and departmental achievement within a British curriculum international school. The role requires a confident educator and department leader who can inspire students, develop colleagues, strengthen performing arts provision and contribute to a vibrant school culture through productions, performances, enrichment activities and community engagement.
- Lead the Performing Arts department with a clear focus on teaching quality, student progress, curriculum strength and creative achievement.
- Deliver outstanding drama and performing arts lessons that inspire students and support strong academic and practical outcomes.
- Provide strategic direction for drama, productions, performances, enrichment activities and wider performing arts initiatives.
- Develop and review curriculum plans, schemes of work, assessment methods, teaching resources and departmental improvement priorities.
- Support students in performance skills, dramatic technique, confidence, creativity, communication, teamwork, interpretation and stage presence.
- Inspire, motivate and develop colleagues through coaching, collaboration, shared planning and effective professional support.
- Monitor student progress and use assessment data to improve learning, raise achievement and identify areas requiring additional support.
- Create a vibrant performance culture through school productions, showcases, assemblies, concerts, community events and extracurricular programmes.
- Encourage student participation in drama and performing arts activities across different year groups and ability levels.
- Work closely with senior leaders, teachers, parents, students and the wider school community to promote the value of creative education.
- Maintain high expectations for classroom practice, rehearsals, behaviour, student conduct, performance preparation and professional standards.
- Contribute to whole‑school development by supporting enrichment, cultural events, creative projects and student leadership opportunities.
- Ensure department activities reflect safeguarding expectations, inclusion, student wellbeing and school policies.
- Follow GEMS Education procedures, professional codes of conduct and all safeguarding requirements at all times.
- BEd or Bachelor’s degree in Drama, Performing Arts, Theatre Studies, Music, Dance or a related subject.
- PGCE, PGDE or equivalent recognised teaching qualification.
- Proven leadership experience within a performing arts department, ideally in a British curriculum school.
- Strong subject knowledge in drama and the wider performing arts curriculum.
- Demonstrated commitment to outstanding teaching and learning and raising student achievement.
- Ability to lead curriculum development, departmental improvement, assessment planning and performance programmes.
- Experience organising or leading school productions, performances, showcases, enrichment activities and community events.
- Strong ability to inspire, motivate, mentor and develop both students and colleagues.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships across the school community.
- Creative, organised, reflective and ambitious approach to department leadership and classroom practice.
- Commitment to contributing to the wider life of the school through active engagement in productions, performances, enrichment and community initiatives.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, student wellbeing, inclusion and professional conduct within a school environment.
- A UK‑enhanced DBS or equivalent police clearance is required for appointment.
- Performing arts leadership
- Drama teaching
- British curriculum
- Department leadership
- Curriculum planning
- Classroom teaching
- Student assessment
- Teaching and learning improvement
- Performance coaching
- Theatre production
- School productions
- Drama curriculum
- Enrichment activities
- Stage performance
- Rehearsal management
- Creative education
- Student achievement
- Staff mentoring
- Team leadership
- Communication skills
- Parent communication
- Community engagement
- Event coordination
- Inclusive teaching
- Student wellbeing
- Safeguarding awareness
- International school leadership
- Competitive tax‑free salary (AED 18,000–28,000 per month)
- Leadership allowance
- Fully furnished accommodation
- Free schooling for dependent children
- Private medical insurance
- Annual flights to country of residence
- End of Service Gratuity
- Free access to GEMS Rewards for savings across flights, hotels, restaurants, retail, entertainment and daily life in the UAE
- World‑class CPD programmes and leadership development pathways across the GEMS Education network
- Strong career progression opportunities
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
