Director of Education - ADNOC Schools

About the Role

ADNOC Schools is on the lookout for an experienced and visionary Director of Education to begin in August 2026. This leadership role demands strategic oversight of four campuses situated in Abu Dhabi City and the Western Region within the Abu Dhabi Emirate. The chosen candidate will ensure exceptional standards in teaching, curriculum implementation, school improvement, and operational management. Working closely with Principals and senior leaders, they will spearhead educational excellence, foster innovation, and promote constant progress while complying with UAE regulations and aligning with ADNOC Schools’ strategic goals.

The Director will hold full accountability for school improvement initiatives, managing both the educational and commercial lines of all schools. Their focus will be to surpass both internal and external expectations while capitalizing on economic returns and reflecting Aldar Education & ADNOC Schools' Core Values.

The schools provide state-of-the-art facilities and deliver the US Massachusetts/Common Core curriculum to over 6,000 Emirati and international students from kindergarten through grade 12. High school students have access to Advanced Placement (AP) exams accredited by the US College Board, graduating with an American High School Diploma.

Ideal candidates will have a solid history of effective leadership in UK, USA, or other international environments, paired with excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity. They must effectively engage stakeholders ranging from board members to parents and teachers, combining strong communication with visible, ambassadorial leadership. The role demands strategic thinking to ensure outstanding educational achievements and requires collaborative partnerships within the school group and external strategic stakeholders to support the broader UAE education vision. Alignment with core values and respect for regional cultures are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver clear, insightful leadership and strategic direction to achieve top performance and continuous improvement.
• Guide and empower managed schools to build their capacity to meet ongoing and future challenges consistent with company priorities.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional central teams including HR, Finance, Marketing, Enrolments, and IT to meet key objectives.
• Work with the Executive Leadership Team to realize company outcomes based on defined performance standards.
• Align schools under a shared vision by supporting and articulating the group’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Advise HQ teams and school Principals on operational strategies and improvements as requested by the Director of Education.
• Inspire leadership teams to elevate student achievement through data-driven school inspections and targeted interventions.
• Ensure the quality assurance of strategic documents such as development plans and self-evaluations, taking corrective actions when necessary.
• Lead and review implementation of learning and assessment frameworks utilizing benchmarking and value-added data to monitor student progress.
• Champion innovative educational approaches and validate curriculum offerings in partnership with senior executives and schools.
• Mentor Principals and staff, fostering equitable educational outcomes and enriching the learning community.
• Support inspection readiness, including planning and validating the School Self Evaluation Forms (SEF).
• Promote and represent the schools positively with all stakeholders, including parents, education authorities, and government bodies, both locally and internationally.
• Establish and maintain strong internal relationships to create a positive, collaborative work environment that supports organizational goals.
• Lead strategic plan development, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting within managed schools.
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices across the network to raise educational standards.
• Identify and implement teaching and learning improvement strategies, including expert development and staff training programs.
• Ensure strategic plans are regularly reviewed and updated in schools, supporting leadership teams in their execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Master’s degree in education, educational leadership, NPQH, or an equivalent professional qualification essential.
• Minimum of 15 years in educational roles with at least 5 years in senior school leadership (Principal or Head Teacher) or similar group leadership experience.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Exceptional organizational, multitasking, and detail-oriented skills with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Experience in forward planning and navigating local government compliance.
• Proven ability to create a trusting, fair workplace environment.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and cultural sensitivity capabilities.
• Demonstrated innovative thinking and commitment to employee engagement.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills with a commercial mindset.
• Willingness to extend efforts beyond standard work hours when required to meet objectives.

Additional Information

Applicants must submit a cover letter and CV including contact details of two referees. ADNOC Schools offers a competitive remuneration package with a focus on professional growth, coaching, and training. Successful candidates will benefit from a robust professional network and opportunities to lead and develop themselves and others. The selection process is rigorous; only shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 10 business days. Employment offers are subject to medical checks and safeguarding clearances.