Assistant Principal - Yas American Academy

Job Description

Aldar Academies is currently seeking an Assistant Principal at Yas American Academy on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

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

Yas American Academy opened in September 2016 providing high quality education to the Emirate. The children are taught the Massachusetts Common Core Curriculum - tailored to be meaningful to children attending the school, alongside the local curriculum of Arabic, Islamic Studies and Social Studies. Facilities at the school are excellent and include a large astro-turf field, two swimming pools, well stocked library, a large multi-purpose sports hall, an auditorium and outdoor play areas.

We provide a warm, friendly and supportive environment where students enjoy learning and achieving in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

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

Responsibilities

Curriculum Leadership & Academic Oversight

• Lead the development, review, and implementation of a high-quality curriculum across Middle and High School, ensuring alignment with AP standards and college preparatory expectations.
• Oversee curriculum mapping across subjects to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment, progression, and balance.
• Support teachers and heads of department in curriculum design, ensuring resources, assessments, and instructional strategies are cohesive and standards-based.
• Collaborate with academic leaders to evaluate, refine, and innovate curriculum offerings to meet the needs of diverse learners and to support high levels of academic achievement.
  
  
  

Accreditation & School Improvement

• Take a leadership role in driving accreditation processes, ideally NEASC, or demonstrate capacity to lead accreditation with other recognized international or national accrediting bodies.
• Ensure school practices meet accreditation standards, including curriculum documentation, instructional quality, and continuous improvement measures.
• Monitor and support the implementation of school improvement plans, working closely with senior leaders to align academic targets with school-wide priorities.
  
  
  

Assessment & Academic Progress Monitoring

• Lead the development and implementation of a robust assessment framework, including standardized testing (e.g., MAP, AP exams), formative assessments, and internal examinations.
• Collaborate with assessment coordinators to establish a comprehensive testing schedule, ensuring effective data collection, analysis, and reporting of student progress.
• Guide instructional teams in using data to inform teaching, close achievement gaps, and track academic growth.
  
  
  

Staff Development & Instructional Coaching

• Provide leadership in the supervision, coaching, and evaluation of teaching staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Identify professional development needs related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and accreditation, and plan CPD activities to address these needs.
• Support new or evolving instructional methodologies, encouraging innovative and evidence-based practices across departments.
  
  
  

Leadership & Administration

• Act as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic vision, policy development, and operational leadership of the school.
• Collaborate with the Principal, Vice Principal, and senior colleagues at Aldar Education to drive academic excellence and continuous improvement.
• Oversee relevant academic budgets, resources, and instructional materials to support curriculum delivery and school priorities.
• Represent the school’s academic performance to stakeholders, including governing bodies, parents, and external agencies.
  
  
  

Operational Responsibilities

• Participate in duty rotas and ensure a safe, orderly environment conducive to high-quality learning.
• Support recruitment, including the screening and interviewing of academic and non-teaching staff as required.
• Complete and submit required reports, forms, and data requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Undertake additional responsibilities as assigned by the Principal to support the school’s mission and vision.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a Bachelor’s degree in a subject area with a recognized teaching qualification (e.g., PGCE, teaching license).
• Master’s degree in Education, Leadership, or a related field (preferred).
• Teaching certification/qualification from the United States or Canada is strongly preferred.
  
  
  

Minimum Experience (Required):

• At least 6 years of teaching experience in a Middle or High School setting, with at least 4 consecutive years of consistently exceeding performance standards and expectations as evidenced through formal appraisals.
• At least 2 years of experience in a middle or senior leadership role (e.g., Head of Department, Grade Level Leader, Curriculum Coordinator).
• Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development initiatives and/or academic programs that have resulted in measurable improvements in student achievement and instructional quality.
• Experience in implementing or supporting U.S. curriculum programs (including AP courses) and curriculum mapping across subject areas.
• Experience in working collaboratively with parents, external agencies, and accreditation bodies to support school improvement and compliance.
  
  
  

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Experience with NEASC accreditation or similar international/national accreditation processes.
• Strong knowledge of curriculum design, academic data analysis, assessment frameworks, and instructional leadership within the U.S. or Canadian curriculum context.
• Proven ability to lead professional development, mentor teachers, and drive instructional improvement initiatives in line with international best practices.
  
  
  

Job specific knowledge and skills:

• A clear commitment to nurturing and promoting the school vision.
• Proven track record of displaying positive behaviours and values
• A dynamic solution-based approach to leadership.
• A commitment to maximising achievement through excellence in teaching and learning.
• An excellent track record as a classroom teacher and school leader.
• An excellent track record of implementing effective strategies to raise standards in learning.
• High standards and a highly effective communicator.
• Ability to implement and lead change and school development.
• Ability to lead large, diverse groups of people and stakeholders successfully.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure.
• A high level of professionalism and consideration of the well-being of all stakeholders.
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life
• Outstanding communication skills, approachable enabling trust and confidentiality.
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age, and ethnic background.
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check.
  
  
  

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.