Project Manager School Quality Improvement (K12), UAE
Role Purpose
To lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of a multi-year school quality improvement programme across all group schools in the UAE, ensuring sustained gains in student achievement, teaching quality, leadership capacity, stakeholder satisfaction, and regulatory ratings (e.g., Knowledge and Human Development Authority / Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge / Ministry of Education), while aligning with the Group's strategic plan.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Project Design
- Translate Group strategy and inspection frameworks (KHDA/ADEK/MOE, IB, CBSE, British, American) into a phased roadmap with defined milestones and outcomes.
- Conduct baseline diagnostics across academics, leadership, wellbeing, and operations.
- Develop project charters, timelines, budgets, and risk registers.
Academic & Quality Improvement
- Partner with school leaders to strengthen teaching, assessment, curriculum delivery, and inclusion.
- Align School Improvement Plans with regulatory and accreditation standards.
- Standardise lesson observation, assessment, and student support frameworks group-wide.
Data, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Lead a Group performance dashboard covering academics, inspections, attendance, behaviour, admissions, staff KPIs, and parent satisfaction.
- Implement structured data review cycles (monthly/termly/annual).
- Convert audits, reviews, and learning walks into accountable action plans.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
- Act as central liaison across Group leadership, schools, functions, and regulators.
- Lead termly improvement reviews to track progress and share best practice.
- Communicate priorities, timelines, and expectations clearly to stakeholders.
Project Management & Delivery
- Deliver concurrent improvement initiatives (assessment reform, digital learning, inclusion, literacy/numeracy).
- Coordinate cross-functional teams; manage risks, dependencies, timelines, and budgets.
- Provide regular executive and Board updates with clear recommendations.
Capacity Building
- Identify leadership and instructional capability gaps.
- Partner with HR/CPD to deliver targeted training and coaching.
- Promote a culture of continuous, evidence-based improvement.
Compliance & Standards
- Ensure consistent implementation of Group policies and regulatory requirements.
- Support inspection readiness and maintain structured documentation.
Budget & Resource Management
- Manage programme budget and external partners.
- Monitor cost-effectiveness and return on investment.
Job Requirements
Qualifications
- Master's degree in education, Educational Leadership.
- Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) desirable.
- Teaching qualification (QTS/B.Ed or equivalent) preferred.
Experience
- 15+ years in education.
- 35+ years in project management, school improvement, or academic leadership.
- Proven experience leading cross-school improvement initiatives.
- Experience in the UAE/GCC and familiarity with KHDA, ADEK, and MOE requirements preferred.
- Multi-curriculum experience highly desirable.
- Experience in at least one curriculum (CBSE, British, IB, American) strongly preferred.
- Experience or training as an inspector in any one inspection framework
