Position: Academic Director
Location: Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Reporting To: School Head MAster
Start Date: August 2026
1. The Institution & The Vision
We are a rapidly expanding, premium K-12 educational operator based in Jeddah, catering to a highly
ambitious demographic of Saudi Nationals and affluent expatriates. We are executing a structural and
pedagogical upgrade at our South Campus, transitioning it into a premier hybrid-curriculum
institution.
The campus delivers a rigorous National Curriculum for England (IGCSE/A-Level) integrated with an
International Baccalaureate (PYP/DP) candidacy, underpinned by a heavy STEM and robotics
infrastructure. We are seeking a visionary Academic Director to serve as the chief pedagogical
architect and Quality Assurance (QA) lead for this transformation.
2. The Operational Architecture (The Context)
To maximize both academic rigor and operational accountability, we operate a highly agile “Line vs.
Staff” organizational structure. It is critical that candidates understand this framework:
The “Staff” Function (This Role): The Academic Director is the strategic architect of pedagogy.
You do not hold line-management authority over classroom teachers for daily discipline,
attendance, or pastoral care. Instead, you manage the product (the curriculum) and the data
(Quality Assurance). You sit on the “Strategic Cabinet” alongside the STEM Director and IB
Coordinator.
The “Line” Function: Phase Heads manage the daily execution and discipline of the teachers.
The Synergy: The Academic Director designs the curriculum toolkits, conducts rigorous
classroom observations, and provides data-driven teacher coaching plans directly to the Phase
Heads, empowering them to drive on-the-ground results.
3. Core Responsibilities & Mandate
Curriculum Architecture & Design
Serve as the pedagogical lead for the campus, mapping and maintaining the rigorous fidelity of
the British curriculum (IGCSE/A-Level).
Collaborate intimately with the Director of STEM and the IB Coordinator to seamlessly weave
scientific inquiry, project-based learning (PBL), and IB philosophy into the daily delivery
schedules of core subjects.
Manage and train the stipended Subject Lead Teachers to develop high-quality, standardized
curriculum toolkits for classroom execution.
Quality Assurance (QA) & Performance Data
Design, implement, and own the campus-wide Teacher Observation and Coaching cycle.
Conduct clinical classroom observations focused purely on pedagogical delivery, student
engagement, and curriculum adherence.
Translate observation data into actionable coaching plans and hand them to the Phase Heads for
enforcement.
Academic Attainment & KPIs
Drive overall IGCSE and A-Level pass rates (targeting A*-C benchmarks).
Implement and track student “Value-Add” progress scores, measuring academic growth from
baseline assessments to end-of-year exams.
Design and support premium academic after-school interventions and clubs.
4. The Candidate Profile
We are targeting a highly analytical, coaching-oriented educational leader who thrives on data and
curriculum design, rather than daily pastoral administration.
Mandatory Requirements
Nationality/Linguistics: Native English speaker. Preference is strictly given to candidates
originating from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or South Africa to align with the
premium delivery expectations of the British Curriculum.
Educational Background: Master’s Degree in Education or a Core Academic Subject, paired with
a recognized teaching credential (PGCE/QTS).
Experience: Minimum of5years of academic leadership (e.g., Deputy Head of Teaching &
Learning, Director of Academics, or Senior Curriculum Lead) in a premium K-12 environment.
Curriculum Mastery: Documented success in raising IGCSE/A-Level attainment is non-negotiable.
The candidate must also demonstrate the pedagogical flexibility to integrate IB and STEM
frameworks.
Cultural Agility: Previous experience within the GCC/Middle East is highly preferred,
demonstrating an ability to uplift academic standards across a diverse, multi-national teaching
faculty and student body.
Leadership Competencies
The “Architect” Mindset: Exceptional ability to step back from daily operational firefighting to
focus purely on strategic curriculum mapping and long-term academic quality.
Executive Collaboration: High emotional intelligence and professional maturity to navigate the
“executive tension” of advising Phase Heads without overstepping into their line-management
territory.
Data Fluency: Highly proficient in utilizing educational technology and assessment data to
diagnose learning gaps and drive teacher coaching
Compensation and Benefits:
Transform Recruitment is supporting this recruitment. To apply, please submit your CV