
International Schools Partnership (ISP)
Head of School / Principal
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
Job expiry date: 18/11/2026
Job overview
Date posted
04/10/2026
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
18/11/2026
Job description
International Schools Partnership runs 120+ schools across 25+ countries, and this expression of interest is for Principal and Head of School positions opening for the 2027/28 academic year. Each school has its own educational and cultural context, so the post you are matched with will depend on where your experience and leadership style fit best. Whichever school it is, leadership spans people development and wellbeing, student learning outcomes, community and customer experience, and commercial success. Teaching quality sits at the centre, with ISP's Learning.First approach, evidence and data used to drive sustained improvement. Parents, carers and the wider community need to see the school as a School of Choice, which means building trust and strengthening reputation, retention and enrolment. Ownership of operational and commercial performance is part of the brief as well, including income growth and financial targets, with no compromise on safeguarding or educational standards. Reporting is to a Regional Managing Director, with regular collaboration across the wider ISP network. Serving Principals, Deputy Heads, Heads of Primary or Secondary and senior leaders preparing for a first headship are all encouraged to register.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Provide strategic and inspirational leadership across the school, working closely with the Regional Managing Director
- Build a high-performing, engaged school community where students and colleagues feel safe, valued and supported
- Develop leadership capacity, succession and a culture of continuous professional learning
- Lead high-quality teaching, learning, progress and achievement for all students
- Embed ISP's Learning.First approach, using evidence, data and professional development to drive sustained improvement
- Position the school as a School of Choice within its local community
- Strengthen trusted relationships with students, parents, carers and stakeholders to grow reputation, engagement, retention and enrolment
- Own the school's operational and commercial performance, including sustainable enrolment and income growth
- Deliver financial and organisational targets while using resources effectively
- Ensure the highest standards of education, safeguarding, Health and Safety and student experience
- Apply school policies and procedures consistently and share good practice across the ISP network
Experience & skills
- Demonstrate a strong track record of educational leadership and school improvement
- Hold a current senior leadership post such as Principal, Head of School, Deputy Head, Vice Principal, Head of Primary or Head of Secondary
- Show a strong commitment to safeguarding, student wellbeing and inclusion
- Prove an ability to improve teaching, learning and student outcomes
- Build high-performing teams and develop future leaders
- Engage stakeholders and the wider community effectively
- Bring commercial and financial awareness to school leadership
- Apply a data-informed and evidence-based approach to decision-making
- Lead change effectively across a school
- Collaborate openly and learn across an international network
- Complete vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and Criminal Background Checks covering the previous 10 years