Head of Primary (January Start)

Ambassador International Academy Mankhool; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 420,000 - 680,000; Full time

Job summary

Ambassador International Academy Mankhool in Dubai seeks a Head of Primary to lead system design, onboarding and curriculum setup for a new IB PYP school.

You will oversee staff recruitment, timetabling, assessment and reporting, and work with Admissions, Marketing and Operations to ensure a successful opening while maintaining high standards of student wellbeing and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Honours degree and a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, B.Ed with QTS).
• In-depth knowledge of the IB Primary Years Programme and KHDA requirements.
• Proven leadership experience in curriculum or pastoral care with large teams.
• International experience in a private school with diverse community.
• Track record of developing and implementing a high-quality school improvement plan.
• Experience in planning and delivering CPD programmes.
• Strong organisational, administrative, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Desirable: Master’s degree, NPQSL/H or equivalent and IB workshop leader status.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to pre-opening operational readiness, including systems design and staffing structures.
• Lead recruitment and onboarding of primary staff.
• Oversee the planning and development of the School Improvement Plan and DSIB/IB readiness.
• Manage budgets and resource planning for Early Years and Primary teaching and learning.
• Oversee staff appraisal and professional development in the Primary phase.
• Coordinate engagement with Admissions, Marketing and Operations to support enrolment and launch.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum leadership

Data-informed decisions

Communication

Education

Honours degree and a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, B.Ed with QTS)

Job description

About the school

Ambassador International Academy Mankhool is an international school in the United Arab Emirates offering the IB Primary Years Programme.

The role

As a founding member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Primary will play a key role in establishing systems, routines and culture from the ground up. The postholder will lead staff onboarding and IB/PYP-aligned induction, support launch readiness across timetabling, staffing and curriculum setup, and work closely with Admissions, Marketing and Operations to ensure a successful school opening.

The Head of Primary is responsible for the overall operations, teaching and learning, school growth, budgets and wellbeing of students up to Grade 5. The successful candidate will be an innovative and energetic leader with a passion for learning and a deep understanding of how to balance the needs of all stakeholders in a rapidly growing, high-quality international school in Dubai.

Key responsibilities

Organisation, Leadership and Management

• Contribute to pre-opening operational readiness, including systems design, staffing structures and whole-school routines aligned to the school’s vision.
• Work closely with Admissions, Marketing and Operations to support enrolment, community engagement and school launch.
• Establish, review and develop internal Early Years and Primary School aims, policies, structures, procedures and job descriptions in line with whole-school policies.
• Oversee the planning and ongoing development of the School Improvement Plan and other externally reviewed documentation, including data for DSIB inspection reports.
• Lead Primary phase readiness for inspection and accreditation processes, including DSIB and IB requirements.
• Manage financial and budgetary planning for Early Years and Primary teaching and learning resources.
• Oversee line management, support and appraisal for all teachers, teaching assistants and support staff in the Early Years and Primary phases.
• Chair Primary School staff meetings and attend Senior Leadership Team and Governing Board meetings as required.
• Lead recruitment and retention of staff within the phase.

Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting

• Lead the implementation of the school’s future-focused Primary curriculum, including innovation, entrepreneurship and age-appropriate digital and AI learning.
• Ensure a strong emphasis on literacy, reading culture and high-quality English and Mathematics provision.
• Use data to set, monitor and drive improvements in student progress, attainment, wellbeing and attendance.
• Manage curriculum planning and delivery in liaison with the Head of Early Years, PYP Coordinator and Subject Specialists.
• Oversee reporting of student progress and attainment to parents and the Senior Leadership Team.
• Ensure high-quality provision of Arabic, Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies, and promote UAE national identity and values.

Student Inclusion, Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection across the Primary phase.
• Oversee implementation of the school behaviour and learning policies.
• Coordinate student admissions procedures in liaison with the admissions team.
• Manage transition from Primary in coordination with the Head of Secondary.

External Relations

• Support enrolment and retention through strong parent engagement.
• Maintain regular, proactive communication with parents via the school website, social media and learning platforms.
• Organise and lead parent orientation, workshops and coffee mornings.
• Work with the Parent Support Group to promote the home-school partnership.

Requirements

• Honours degree and a recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, B.Ed with QTS).
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the IB Primary Years Programme, standardised testing as required by the KHDA, assessment for learning, data use, inclusion and ELL provision.
• Proven leadership experience in curriculum or pastoral care, including management of a significant team of teachers and support staff.
• International experience in a private school with a demonstrably diverse community.
• Successful track record of developing and implementing a high-quality school improvement plan that has improved student progress and attainment.
• Experience in planning and delivering continuous professional development programmes.
• Strong organisational, administrative, coaching and mentoring skills, together with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Master’s degree, NPQSL/H or equivalent, and IB workshop leader status are desirable.