Vice Principal Secondary - Jan/April 2027

GEMS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL - DUBAI HILLS; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

GEMS International School – Dubai Hills is seeking an experienced Vice Principal – Secondary to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Middle School and High School. The role focuses on driving academic excellence, strengthening teaching and learning, and fostering an inclusive, student-centered culture within the IB programmes (MYP, DP, CP).

Reporting to the Senior Vice Principal, you will work with Secondary leadership teams to enhance student outcomes, staff development, and

Qualifications

• Strong strategic and operational leadership across large school settings.
• Experience leading IB programmes (MYP, DP, CP) is preferred.
• Ability to develop and motivate leadership teams and staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Middle School and High School.
• Drive school improvement priorities through planning, QA, data analysis, and evaluation.
• Oversee delivery of MYP, DP, and CP programmes and assessment quality.
• Lead Secondary leadership teams and foster collaboration and accountability.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, student‑centred culture with high expectations.

Job description

Job description

About GEMS International School – Dubai Hills

GEMS International School – Dubai Hills (GIS) is a vibrant, inclusive IB World School offering a high-quality international education from Early Years through to Grade 12. As part of GEMS Education, one of the world's leading private education providers, GIS is committed to academic excellence, innovation, and developing confident, compassionate, internationally minded learners.

Our school delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, including the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and Career-related Programme (CP), providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success beyond the classroom.

We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Vice Principal – Secondary to provide strategic and operational leadership across our Middle School and High School.

As a key member of the Extended Executive Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in driving academic excellence, strengthening teaching and learning, and fostering a positive, inclusive school culture across the MYP, DP, and CP programmes.

Reporting to the Senior Vice Principal – Teaching & Learning, you will lead and support Secondary leadership teams, ensuring that whole-school priorities translate into meaningful improvements in student outcomes, staff development, and the wider student experience.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and accomplished educational leader to make a significant impact within a dynamic and forward-thinking IB school.

Start Date: January/April 2027, however, start date can be discussed to suit the successful candidate

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Middle School and High School, ensuring consistently high standards of teaching, learning, and student achievement.
• Drive Secondary school improvement priorities through effective planning, quality assurance, data analysis, and evaluation of impact.
• Oversee the effective delivery of the MYP, DP, and CP programmes, ensuring curriculum coherence, high-quality assessment, and ambitious student outcomes.
• Lead, develop, and support Secondary leadership teams, including the Assistant Principals for Middle School and High School, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and student-centred culture, maintaining high expectations for behaviour, attendance, wellbeing, and pastoral care.
• Strengthen partnerships with parents and the wider school community, supporting effective communication, student transitions, admissions, and retention.
• Ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the Secondary School, maintaining compliance with GEMS, KHDA, IB, and relevant accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, inspection readiness, staff development, and wider school initiatives as a member of the leadership team.

Preferred candidate

Years of experience

No experience required