GEMS
Managing Director, EDGE
- Permanent
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 10 - 15 yrs
- Urgent
Job expiry date: 01/01/2026
Job overview
Date posted
17/11/2025
Location
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary
AED 60,000 - 100,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
10 - 15 yrs
Seniority
Director
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
01/01/2026
Job description
The Managing Director, EDGE at GEMS Education serves as the founding leader of the Expeditions for Growth, Discovery, and Excellence (EDGE) initiativeāan organisation designed to develop survival, resilience, leadership, and global citizenship skills in students aged 3ā18 through experiential, theme-based projects. The role involves designing, building, and scaling the EDGE organisation in line with GEMS Educationās strategic goals. The MD will define the vision, mission, and roadmap of EDGE, manage its financial sustainability, and ensure operational excellence in compliance with UAE regulatory frameworks such as KHDA, ADEK, and SPEA. The position encompasses leadership of curriculum design, team recruitment, safeguarding, and risk management, ensuring all expeditions and training align with global health and safety standards. The Managing Director will act as the public ambassador for EDGE, fostering partnerships with NGOs, charities, and humanitarian organisations, while embedding EDGEās values of Growth, Discovery, and Excellence within GEMSā broader educational ecosystem. The role requires experience in youth leadership, adventure education, or military expeditionary training, with strong capabilities in governance, finance, stakeholder management, and multicultural engagement.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Define EDGEās vision, mission, and strategic roadmap in alignment with GEMS Educationās values and objectives
- Build EDGEās brand and reputation as a centre of excellence in youth resilience, leadership, and citizenship training
- Report to the EDGE Board and GEMS senior leadership on progress, risks, and outcomes
- Lead the development of a progressive, age-appropriate curriculum for students aged 3ā18
- Ensure the curriculum is theme-based, experiential, and action-driven, encompassing sustainability, resilience, leadership, teamwork, and expeditions
- Embed humanitarian and charity-focused projects within the programme framework
- Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of instructors, expedition leaders, and administrators
- Foster a values-driven organisational culture reflecting Growth, Discovery, and Excellence alongside GEMSā core principles
- Implement comprehensive safeguarding, staff development, and performance management systems
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with GEMS school leaders, parents, and students
- Forge collaborations with local and international charities, NGOs, and humanitarian organisations
- Represent EDGE publicly to external stakeholders, regulators, and the media
- Establish and enforce safeguarding, health & safety, and risk management systems for all expeditions and training activities
- Ensure compliance with UAE regulatory frameworks including KHDA, ADEK, and SPEA
- Oversee financial management, reporting, and governance in accordance with GEMS Educationās standards
- Manage EDGEās P&L and ensure financial sustainability through contracts, partnerships, and fundraising
- Develop scalable delivery models balancing quality and cost-efficiency
- Drive expansion of EDGE from pilot implementation to full integration across the GEMS network and beyond
Experience & skills
- Proven senior leadership experience, ideally as a former military officer or equivalent in expeditionary, adventure, or youth leadership
- Demonstrated success building organisations or programmes from inception to scale
- Comprehensive understanding of leadership, resilience, character development, and youth training methodologies
- Experience in safeguarding, health & safety, and risk management, especially for children and young people
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities
- Strong alignment with GEMS Educationās values and EDGEās purpose of Growth, Discovery, and Excellence
- Willingness to be based in Dubai and travel regionally or internationally as required
- Preferred experience in international schools or youth development programmes
- Background in expedition leadership, outdoor education, or adventure training
- Experience collaborating with NGOs, charities, and humanitarian organisations
- Multicultural awareness and experience managing diverse teams
