Assistant Principal, Teaching and Learning

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.

The opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Assistant Principal – Teaching & Learning to support the continued development of outstanding teaching and learning at GEMS International School – Dubai Hills.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in strengthening classroom practice, supporting professional development, and driving school improvement to ensure consistently high-quality learning experiences for all students.

Reporting to the Senior Vice Principal – Teaching & Learning, you will work collaboratively with academic leaders and teaching teams to embed innovative, inclusive, and evidence-informed approaches to teaching and learning.

Depending on the successful candidate's experience and the school's priorities, the role may include phase-specific or whole-school responsibilities, with opportunities to lead initiatives such as instructional coaching, professional learning, IB programme development, or wider teaching and learning improvement projects.

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

Start date: January 2027 (flexibility for a later start for the right candidate)

Key responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the whole-school Teaching & Learning strategy, promoting consistently high standards of teaching, learning, and student achievement.
• Lead and contribute to professional development, instructional coaching, and staff mentoring, fostering a culture of collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement.
• Support quality assurance and school improvement through learning walks, lesson observations, professional dialogue, and evidence-informed evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with teachers and middle leaders to strengthen pedagogy, curriculum delivery, assessment practices, and student engagement.
• Champion inclusive and differentiated teaching approaches, ensuring that all learners, including students of determination, EAL learners, and high attainers, are appropriately supported and challenged.
• Promote the school's IB philosophy, encouraging inquiry-based learning, conceptual understanding, student agency, and international mindedness across relevant phases and programmes.
• Lead designated teaching and learning initiatives, projects, or areas of responsibility, supporting the effective implementation of whole-school priorities and GEMS-wide programmes.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, inspection and accreditation readiness, staff development, and wider school initiatives as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

The ideal candidate will have

• A bachelor's degree and recognised teaching qualification (PGCE, BEd, or equivalent). A relevant master's degree or leadership qualification is desirable.
• Proven experience in a middle or senior leadership role, with a strong track record of improving teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
• Experience of leading or contributing to professional development, instructional coaching, quality assurance, and school improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of effective pedagogy, curriculum development, assessment, and inclusive classroom practice.
• Experience within an IB environment, ideally with knowledge of one or more IB programmes and a commitment to inquiry-based learning.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire, support, and develop teachers and middle leaders, fostering collaboration and high professional standards.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, with a proactive, collaborative leadership style and a commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Why join GEMS Education?

At GEMS Education, you will become part of a global network of educators committed to shaping the future of education. We offer a supportive and collaborative environment where school leaders are empowered to innovate, inspire, and make a lasting difference.

You will benefit from opportunities for professional development, career progression, and collaboration across our extensive network of international schools, alongside a competitive employment package.

Next steps

If you are an ambitious educational leader passionate about outstanding teaching and learning, we would love to hear from you.

We are ideally seeking an appointment for January 2027; however, a later start date may be considered for the right candidate.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates will be contacted regarding the next stages of the recruitment process.

GEMS safeguarding

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments where students can thrive, and we expect all employees, volunteers, and partners to share this commitment.

As part of our safer recruitment practices, all successful applicants will be subject to comprehensive pre-employment checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, employment history, professional references, and criminal record checks from all countries of residence and employment, in line with local and international safeguarding requirements. These checks may include enhanced disclosure, prohibition, barring, and overseas police clearance checks where applicable. We are committed to recruiting individuals who uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and child protection.