Vice Principal Teaching and Learning - Jan/April 2027

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 inspirational Vice Principal – Teaching & Learning to drive excellence in teaching, professional development, and inclusive education across all phases of our school.

As a key member of the Extended Executive Leadership Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping whole-school teaching and learning practices, strengthening professional development, and ensuring that every student has access to an ambitious, engaging, and inclusive education.

Reporting to the Senior Vice Principal – Teaching & Learning, you will also serve as the school's Inclusion Champion, providing strategic oversight of personalised learning and learner experience. Working closely with academic and inclusion leaders, you will ensure that high-quality teaching, effective support, and inclusive practices are embedded throughout the school.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished educational leader who is passionate about developing outstanding teachers, championing inclusion, and making a meaningful impact on student outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for teaching and learning across all phases, ensuring consistently high standards of classroom practice aligned with IB philosophy and whole-school priorities.
• Lead professional learning, coaching, and staff development initiatives, fostering a culture of reflection, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Drive whole-school quality assurance and improvement through lesson observations, learning walks, data analysis, professional dialogue, and evidence-informed evaluation.
• Act as the school's Inclusion Champion, overseeing inclusive education strategies, regulatory compliance, and personalised learning provision for students of determination, gifted and talented learners, and those requiring additional support.
• Line-manage and develop the Head of Personalised Learning and Head of Learner Experience, ensuring effective collaboration, clear accountability, and high-quality student provision.
• Champion inclusive classroom practice, ensuring that teaching approaches, curriculum adaptations, and targeted interventions support student progress, independence, and achievement.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum and academic leaders to strengthen consistency across IB programmes, promoting inquiry-based learning, student agency, and ambitious learning outcomes.
• Contribute to whole-school strategic planning, inspection and accreditation readiness, staff development, and wider school initiatives as a member of the 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 senior leadership experience, with a strong track record of improving whole-school teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
• Significant experience of leading professional development, coaching, quality assurance, and school improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of inclusive education, personalised learning, and provision for students of determination, including relevant regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Experience within an IB environment, ideally with an understanding of teaching and learning across multiple IB programmes and school phases.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing academic and inclusion leaders, fostering collaboration, accountability, and high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills, with a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and academic excellence.

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 experienced educational leader passionate about outstanding teaching and inclusive education, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application, including an up-to-date CV, through our careers portal.

We are ideally seeking an appointment for January/April 2027; however, start date can be discussed to suit the successful candidate.

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

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.