Head of Secondary

Nord Anglia Education; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international education organization is seeking experienced leaders for Secondary roles in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Candidates must possess Qualified Teacher Status, with a minimum of five years in senior leadership. Responsibilities include leading educational development, ensuring high standards in teaching, and managing resources effectively. This role is pivotal in promoting student achievement and wellbeing in a dynamic, international environment, offering a unique chance to impact education worldwide.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of teaching experience is essential.
• At least five years of experience as a Senior Leader is required.
• Strong understanding of international curriculum pathways like IGCSE and A-Level.
• Experience working in an international school environment is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning across all Key Stages.
• Drive outstanding attainment and progress.
• Oversee a cohesive, world-class curriculum.
• Manage staffing resources and budgets.

Skills

Teaching experience

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Strategic change management

International curriculum understanding

Pastoral care experience

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

NPQH or postgraduate leadership qualifications

Job description

Locations: Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Nord Anglia Education is engaging with exceptional Secondary leaders who are interested in opportunities across our high‑performing international schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

We are seeking inspiring strategic and values‑driven leaders who will champion outstanding teaching, learning and student development across the Secondary School. These pivotal roles are central to achieving each school’s mission and vision, ensuring world‑class academic, personal, and social outcomes for every learner. As key members of the Executive Leadership Teams, both Heads of Secondary will contribute meaningfully to whole‑school strategy, continuous improvement and long‑term school development.

The role

• Leading teaching and learning across all Key Stages, ensuring consistency, ambition and high‑quality classroom practice.
• Driving outstanding attainment, progress, wellbeing and personalised learning pathways.
• Overseeing a cohesive, world‑class curriculum that is progressive, connected and aligned with international standards.
• Building leadership capacity across the Secondary School through coaching, mentoring and distributed leadership.
• Leading professional learning, staff development, performance management and talent growth.
• Strengthening communication and collaboration with students, parents, staff and the wider school community.
• Managing staffing resources and budgets to ensure excellence and sustainability.
• Ensuring accountability through rigorous self‑evaluation, assessment, analysis and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Promoting innovation, enrichment and engagement with Nord Anglia global initiatives (MIT, Juilliard, IMG Global Campus).

The successful candidate will possess

• Qualified Teacher Status with a minimum of two years of teaching experience (essential).
• At least five years of experience as a Senior Leader (essential).
• Proven track record of leading teaching and learning, school improvement and strategic change.
• Strong understanding of international curriculum pathways (IGCSE, A‑Level, IB, BTEC, NEASC).
• Experience in pastoral care, wellbeing strategies and student success frameworks.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Ability to manage financial, human and curriculum resources effectively.
• Experience working in an international school environment (desirable).
• NPQH or postgraduate leadership qualifications (desirable).

Please see the full job description here.

About us

Nord Anglia Education is the world’s leading international schools organisation with 80 schools educating more than 80,000 students across the globe. We are united by one philosophy: we are ambitious for our students, our people and our family of schools.

Through our collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School, UNICEF and IMG Academy, students and teachers benefit from world‑class experiences and cutting‑edge global learning opportunities.

Joining Nord Anglia means being part of a supportive, innovative and globally connected community of educators committed to excellence.

To apply

Online applications must be submitted through the Nord Anglia Education Careers Page and should include a CV.

Nord Anglia Education is an equal opportunities employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and expect all colleagues to uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.

Required Experience:

Director