School Improvement Partner (SIP)

Aldar Education is currently seeking a School Improvement Partner (SIP) to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. Due to planned current and future expansion, we are looking to add to our current Education team supporting our British, US and IB curricula family of schools.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar Education family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

The School Improvement Partner (SIP) is critical to advancing educational outcomes, student experiences and school standards across the group and within specific school settings. The SIP will provide expert challenge, guidance, advice and support to schools and leadership teams, including the Principal, in their aims of continuous improvement and enhanced performance. 

The role will require SIPs to work closely with School Principals and Senior Leadership to develop and implement action plans in accordance with the annual, medium and long-term vision and aims of the school.

This role will be instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and student-centered learning. The broader purpose of the role is to enhance standards across all of our schools ensuring that the group’s vision and key strategic aims are met.

The successful candidate will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

Main Duties

• Work with school leaders to ensure that all schools achieve their annual, medium and long-term goals.
• Ensure robust quality assurance processes exist and their outcomes are actioned in a timely manner.
• Ensure school leadership teams, teachers and other education staff at school level have access to high quality and relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Ensure that school CPD plans are targeted at meeting the school’s education-related performance targets.
• Ensure that schools meet the needs and expectations of the parent body through high quality and timely communication and feedback.
• Ensure that all schools maintain robust safeguarding procedures.
• Ensure that all schools maintain robust behaviour management processes and reporting procedures.
• Provide regular reviews of school performance through an agreed dashboard to the Education Executive Committee.

Specific Duties 

• Lead and facilitate the school improvement planning process, working collaboratively with school leadership teams to set and achieve measurable goals for student achievement and school culture.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to school leaders in implementing evidence-based pedagogy, curriculum development, and assessment strategies.
• Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and data analysis to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted action plans.
• Work with the Aldar Training Academy to ensure robust quality assurance processes exist and their outcomes are actioned in a timely manner.
• Work with the Aldar Training Academy to ensure all school leadership teams, teachers and other education staff at school level have access to high quality and relevant Continuous Professional Development (CPD).
• Lead and support (as agreed) with the collation and reporting of behaviour issues at school and cluster level.
• Lead and support (as agreed) with the collation and reporting of child protection issues at school and cluster level.
• Collaborate with cluster and school-level stakeholders to align resources, professional development, and support services to meet the unique needs of each school community.
• Coach and mentor school leaders and educators in fostering a positive and inclusive school climate and promoting social-emotional learning.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of school improvement initiatives, using data-driven decision-making to inform continuous improvement efforts.
• Serve as a liaison between the school, cluster, and external partners to leverage resources and support the implementation of best practices.
• Work alongside and support the Directors of Clusters as and when agreed by the Education Executive Committee.
• Stay up to date with research and best practices in school performance and improvement, educational leadership and professional development.
• Support the wider work of the Chief Education Officer and Education Executive Committee as required.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree with postgraduate qualification in education (eg. PGCE) and/or Education Degree
• NPQH and/or similar and/or Master’s Level qualification, preferably in Educational Leadership or related.

Minimum Experience   

• At least 10 years’ experience in a school senior leadership role (ie. Principal, Head, Vice Principal).
• A proven track record of school leadership at Principal or Head level would be an advantage.
• A proven track record at district, cluster, MAT or group level would be an advantage.

Job Specific Knowledge & Skill 

• A deep understanding of K-12 educational systems, school leadership, and pedagogy.
• Significant experience in school leadership, headship, or administrative roles within K-12 educational settings.
• Proven track record of leading and supporting successful school improvement initiatives that resulted in improved student outcomes and enhanced school culture.
• Strong data analysis skills and the ability to use data to drive decision-making and measure the impact of improvement efforts.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, establish collaborative relationships, and inspire positive change.
• Excellent leadership skills
• Strong and consistent supervisory skills
• Strong commercial acumen
• Ability to work collaboratively and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Advanced knowledge of all relevant accreditation standards
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check.

What We Offer

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate over 40,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational and dedicated school and educational leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, and so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.