Job Description

GEMS Founders School – Dubai South (GFD) seeks an experienced and dynamic Vice Principal (Whole School) to work closely with the Principal/CEO to provide exceptional leadership and management across our school as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

GFD opened in August 2024 with students enrolled in FS1 – Year 8; in August 2025 we enrolled students in FS1 – Year 9 and doubled in size; we plan to open Year 10 in August 2026, subject to KHDA approval. The school delivers the National Curriculum for England (NCfE) and Ministry of Education Curriculum. The language of instruction is English. There are 82 nationalities of students on roll.

Our Senior Leadership Team currently comprises the Principal, Head of Primary, Head of Secondary and Deputy Head of Primary. The school is part of a wider cluster of eight schools led by the Executive Vice President – Education, Mr Matthew Burfield, and the Brand Ambassador, Mr Akram Tarik.

Main Purpose of the Role The Vice Principal (Whole School) is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team responsible for the day-to-day running of the school and ensuring operational excellence across all phases. The appointee will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the direction and success of GFD.

The postholder will:

• Deputise for the Principal in their absence.
• Lead the whole-school calendar, events, and logistics.
• Line manage key middle leaders to ensure consistency of standards.
• Implement GEMS initiatives, aligning school operations and educational delivery with group expectations.
• Work collaboratively with SLT and all stakeholders to ensure the smooth, safe, and effective running of the school on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
• Provide daily operational oversight of all school functions, ensuring an efficient, safe, and well-organised learning environment.
• To lead on safeguarding and child protection.
• To coordinate assessment and reporting across the school.
• Deputise for the Principal when required, representing the school with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the annual school calendar, ensuring effective planning and coordination of academic, pastoral, and community events.
• Coordinate whole-school communication, timetabling, supervision, and duty systems.
• Support the Principal in implementing the School Strategic Plan, School Improvement Plan, KHDA SEF and other strategic documentation.
• Work collaboratively across the Founders Family and GEMS network to share best practices and support cluster initiatives.
• Provide comprehensive reports on academic and operational progress to the Principal and Local Advisory Board.
• Academic and Pastoral Excellence
• Support Heads of School, Heads of Department, and phase leaders in ensuring high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Monitor academic performance data to identify trends, set targets, and drive improvement.
• Ensure curriculum delivery aligns with GEMS and UAE regulatory expectations.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and respect, ensuring pastoral systems support all learners, including line management of the Head of Inclusion.
• Oversee and evaluate enrichment and co-curricular activities to ensure they reflect the ethos and values of GFD.
• GEMS Initiatives and School Improvement
• Embed GEMS initiatives, including GEMS Quality Assurance, Teach Like a GEM (TLAG), Read Like a GEM (RLAG), Be a GEM, and Wellbeing Initiatives.
• Lead or contribute to specific GEMS or cluster projects as directed by the Principal.
• Support the Principal in ensuring continuous improvement and progress towards “Good” and “Outstanding” school KHDA ratings.
• Monitor and improve student retention rates to hit 95% retention, including leadership of our 100 Days of Success programme.
• Lead on ensuring the curriculum in school and after school is enriching and reflective of the diverse student body across school.
• Ensure 85% accuracy in overall SEF judgments against actual judgements.
• Culture and Ethos
• Model the GFD values of Grow, Flourish, discover You in all actions and decisions.
• Promote an inclusive, aspirational, and supportive school culture where all students and staff feel valued and empowered.
• Lead by example in upholding high standards of professionalism, integrity, and communication.
• Contribute to the visibility and positive reputation of GFD within the wider community.
• Compliance, Health & Safety, and Administration
• Oversee daily operational compliance, including safeguarding, health & safety, and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure all MOE, KHDA, and GEMS policies and procedures are implemented consistently.
• Work with the Manager of School Operations (MSO) to ensure facilities, resources, and logistics meet school and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on operational readiness for inspections, audits, and accreditation visits.
• Support budget planning and resource allocation aligned to school priorities.
• Monitor and improve student retention rates to hit 95% retention.
• Lead on ensuring the curriculum in school and after school is enriching and reflective of the diverse student body across school.
• Ensure 85% accuracy in overall SEF judgments against actual judgements.
• Lead in staff allegations, whistle blowing, and Labour complaints.
• Line Management and Staff Development
• Line manage designated middle leaders, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management in line with GEMS standards.
• Support recruitment and induction processes, ensuring new staff are effectively onboarded.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth across all teams.
• Work with SLT to ensure staff professional development is aligned with school priorities and the Teacher Pathways to World Class.
• Assist the Principal in recruiting, hiring, and retaining high-quality staff, maintaining an attrition rate of 15% or below.
• Calendar, Events, and Community Engagement
• Design, manage, and oversee the whole-school calendar, ensuring effective coordination of teaching, assessment, events, and community initiatives.
• Lead the planning and execution of school-wide events such as National Day, International Day, Parent Engagement Events, Productions, and Award Ceremonies.
• Ensure events are inclusive, well-communicated, and aligned with GEMS brand standards.
• Work closely with the Parent Relations Executive and GFD Family Association (GFDFA) to strengthen parent-school partnerships.

Skills Qualifications

• Recognised teaching qualification (PGCE or equivalent).
• Bachelor’s degree in Education or relevant field; Master’s degree or National Professional Qualification in Education (NPQ) preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of teaching experience, including substantial experience in a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) role.
• Proven record of successful operational and academic leadership in a British curriculum school.
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and driving whole-school improvement.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic and operational leadership capability.
• Excellent communication, organisation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead and inspire diverse teams across all phases.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Deep understanding of British curriculum frameworks, inspection standards (KHDA, BSO), and GEMS expectations.
• Commitment to innovation, wellbeing, and inclusive practice.

Core Values Alignment

• GEMS Core Values: Always Learning, Caring, Excellence, and One Team.
• GFDS Motto:Grow – Flourish – Discover You!

The Vice Principal (Whole School) will embody and promote these values, ensuring that all members of the school community are empowered to celebrate uniqueness, think creatively, and contribute positively to the world.

Please note interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place in early-mid January.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.