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Superintendent
American School of Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

 

 

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF DUBAI

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Seeks a new Superintendent for either

August 2025 or August 2026

 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master’s degree, at a minimum, in educational leadership or school administration.
• Proven successful experience in providing leadership in Pre-K-12 schools.
• Experience in successfully recruiting faculty, staff, and administration.  
• Successful experience with budget development and administration.
• Demonstrated success in working effectively with various models of board governance.
• Effective communication and public relations skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to effective planning.

 REPORTS TO: American School of Dubai Board of Trustees

INTERFACES WITH: Board Chairman, members of the Board of Trustees, students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, representatives of community organizations, various governmental entities, and the community at large. 

SUPERVISES: Principals and Directors

JOB GOALS

To provide visionary leadership and consistently demonstrate exemplary management skills in: the recruitment and development of faculty, staff, and administration; the design, implementation, and assessment of an excellent curriculum; the development of plans that ensure short, intermediate, and long-term financial stability; the provision of delivering effective communication with all the School’s constituents, and orchestrating effective planning processes to ensure Mission achievement.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Ensure ASD students are challenged and inspired to achieve their dreams and to become passionate learners prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world.
• Design and implement educational practices that offer what is best about American education to provide an educational experience designed to promote each student's maximum potential.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with the Board of Trustees by keeping members informed, offering professional advice, and serving as a thought partner in achieving the school's mission and strategic objectives.
• Maintain positive community relations by keeping abreast of the changing environment, accepting input from others, and actively engaging with the school community.
• Developing and executing new strategic plans every three to five years to ensure ASD is at the forefront as an educational institution in line with our missions and values.
• Maintain positive staff relations by developing sound personnel practices, working to create and sustain an excellent professional ethos and culture at the school, and being impartial in personnel matters.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of business and finance by successfully developing and administering annual budgets, monitoring budgets monthly, and keeping the Board informed of emerging financial issues that require attention.
• Demonstrate expertise in educational advancement and fundraising, with experience in donor relations and achieving philanthropic goals to enhance institutional growth and educational impact.
• Deploy the administrative and supervisory staff, including instructional and non-instructional personnel, in a manner that effectively serves the School.
• Successfully recruit, retain and develop outstanding faculty, staff and administrators.  Identify, select, assign, transfer, and if necessary, terminate the employment of both instructional and non-instructional personnel when performance does not meet expectations.
• Supervise principals, directors, supervisors, teachers, and all other persons employed in carrying out the school's mission.
• Demonstrate experience overseeing the school's potential expansion and the development of educational programs in alternative facilities.  Be adept at navigating the educational sector's growth and innovation complexities.
• Serve as the representative of the American School of Dubai, working directly with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and other governmental entities.
• Successfully implement the overall policies of the Board of Trustees.
• Develop, with the Board Chairman, the agenda for regular Board meetings.
• Attend all board meetings, except meetings pertaining to the Superintendent’s performance, and assume responsibility for implementing all Board decisions.
• Perform other responsibilities and duties consistent with those normally associated with the position of Superintendent of the School, as may be assigned by the Board Chairman or the collective Board.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

220-day contract with a work calendar approved by the Board Chairman. The work day shall be from 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. with additional hours as the professional responsibilities of the position require.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

The Board of Trustees will annually evaluate job performance in accordance with procedures outlined in the contract and Board Policy.

The American School of Dubai (ASD) is a coeducational day school for Pre-K through 12th grade in the Emirate of Dubai. It was founded in 1966 by the Dubai Petroleum Company and today operates as an independent school governed by a seven-member self-perpetuating Board of Trustees.

 IDENTITY STATEMENT

 The American School of Dubai, an independent, not-for-profit organization, offers the best of American education to provide an educational experience designed to promote the maximum potential of its students.

MISSION

The mission of the American School of Dubai is to challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner prepared to adapt and contribute in a rapidly changing world.

CORE VALUES

The American School of Dubai's core values include compassion, excellence, integrity, respect, and responsibility.

The successful candidate must embrace the mission and core values as they lead the school’s future development. 

EDUCATIONAL DIVISIONS

The American School of Dubai delivers a college preparatory American curriculum program of study. It embraces the Common Core and a standards-based learning model for classroom instruction and student assessment.   The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools accredits the school, and the next full-team accreditation review will be conducted in 2027.  

In addition to an outstanding academic program, a comprehensive extracurricular program is available for all students. The school is divided into four major divisions: the early learning center (267 students), the elementary school (611 students), the middle school (480 students), and the high school (717 students). The diverse ASD student body is comprised of 87 nationalities and has an overall student population of 2075.

 

THE EARLY LEARNING CENTER

The Early Learning program at ASD takes a student-centered approach focusing on inquiry-based learning. In our Reggio Emilia-inspired play-based environment, children have authentic opportunities to work, play, socialize, negotiate with others, and make sense of their world. Through inquiry, discovery, exploration, and thoughtful, intentional teaching, children will engage in interrelated experiences, including math, science, social studies, music, and Arabic.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The elementary division offers a comprehensive American curriculum to 611 students in Grades 1 through 5. In addition to the elementary principal, the school employs one associate principal, three counselors, two teaching and learning coordinators, 45 faculty members, and 32 support staff.

The elementary school program includes a combination of core subjects taught in homerooms and classes taught by specialists in Arabic, Art, Music, and Physical Education. Library and technology skills are integrated into the homeroom classrooms. Small class sizes allow teachers to individualize instruction and provide their students with the assistance they need to be successful. Students have access to comprehensive after-school activities.  The elementary school program is aligned with a standards-based learning system. Technology is integrated throughout the curriculum, and students learn to become responsible digital citizens.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

The middle school division offers a comprehensive student-centered program to 480 students in Grades 6 through 8. The team is composed of a dedicated principal, an associate principal, one teaching and learning coordinator, two counselors, 40 faculty members, and eight support staff.

The middle school delivers a wide variety of learning experiences within the core curriculum and in the encore that challenge students and provide opportunities for the middle school students to discover and further pursue their passions. Based on the unique and diverse needs of middle-level students, our philosophy is to encourage and promote the development of each individual's social, physical, creative, and emotional aspects. With caring and attentive role models, middle school students are provided with the challenge, encouragement, and guidance that furthers growth and prepares students for future academic and emotional challenges.

The middle school has successfully implemented many of the components of an effective and exemplary middle school recommended by the National Middle School Association in the United States. The signature programs are not limited to but include the advisor/advisee program, interdisciplinary studies, teaming among grade-level teachers, block scheduling, and academic, emotional, and social guidance and counseling.

The Middle School is aligned with Common Core State Standards and follows a Standards-Based grading scale. We are committed to assisting students in succeeding in a robust program of study during their middle school years and being well-prepared for the transition to high school. Academic rigor is one component of a multidimensional education program that also emphasizes physical, artistic, musical, and linguistic development. Our enrichment program has been enhanced through the development of Pursuits, a daily period that provides students with more opportunities to explore passions and receive support.

HIGH SCHOOL

The high school serves the academic and social needs of 717 students. Its team includes a dedicated principal, two associate principals, six counselors, one teaching and learning coordinator, 69 faculty members, and seven support staff.

ASD is a college preparatory school with a reputation for achieving academic excellence while ensuring that each student is able to express himself/herself through exceptional opportunities in extracurricular activities.

The high school employs a block schedule in delivering the program of studies. A wide variety of Advanced Placement courses in a number of subject areas contribute to preparing students to matriculate to colleges and universities of first choice, including some of the most competitive in the world.

The School fosters active participation in the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC) in athletic and academic competitions and celebrations of artistic achievements in both visual and performing arts. The high school community of students, parents, faculty, and administrators cooperates to create a unique environment where students experience challenge, care, and respect. Students are supported in exploring their interests and in developing their talents and their successes are celebrated.

ASD CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY

As a result of student-led and community-wide initiatives, ASD has been able to make a significant impact on the environment. Some of our projects include Sustainable Garden, Beehive Garden, Sensory Garden, Solar Arrays, Water Refilling Stations, Composting and Industrial Composter, Recycling and Sorting Stations, Seed-to-Plate program, Edible Education, Beach Clean-ups, Eco-Schools Green Flag Award, Zayed Sustainability Prize, and the Expo 2020 Schools Award.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The ASD Community is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive school climate and learning environment while denouncing discrimination and inequality.  We value diversity and firmly believe that fair treatment is the most basic of rights regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, color, culture, national origin, age, identity or expression, ability/disability, or socioeconomic status.

ASD FACILITIES

The American School of Dubai is an integrated, world-class facility that has set a benchmark for regional schools. ASD moved into its new, spacious, purpose-built facility in September 2010. The new facility has spacious classrooms supported by state-of-the-art equipment for technology integration, projection, and wireless access. Students in grades 6-12 use their personal laptops to support their learning experiences.  

The facilities also include a state-of-the-art performing arts theater, two black box theaters, a field house, indoor and outdoor running tracks, a regulation size soccer field, other large playing fields, separate elementary and secondary gymnasiums, two swimming pools, elementary play areas, elementary and secondary school libraries, two cafeterias, division-specific music rooms, meeting spaces, a wireless school environment and school-wide landscaped garden areas that create a wonderful learning and working environment.

PERSONNEL

Throughout the years, the strength of the American School of Dubai has been an exceptionally well-qualified, dedicated and caring faculty and staff.  In the 2023-2024 academic year, 217 faculty members and 125 support staff advanced learning programs and school operations, representing 29 nationalities. The school's leadership, under the direction of the Superintendent, currently includes an Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, four divisional Principals, a Chief Financial Officer, a School Physician, and the directors of Student Services, Admissions and Advancement, Technology, Athletics and Campus Life, Human Resources, and Facilities and Operations.

Approximately 83% of the professional teaching/administrative staff is brought to Dubai specifically for their employment with the school.

LOCATION

Dubai is one of seven emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates. The population of the UAE is approximately five million, of which an estimated 80% are expatriates. The UAE is a stable and prosperous country where many nationalities live and work in harmony. It is led by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Official religion is Islam; however, the practice of a wide variety of religious beliefs is permitted.

Dubai's government operates within a constitutional monarchy and has been ruled by the Al Maktoum family since 1833. The current ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Vice President of the UAE.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To identify the best candidates for the position, the ASD Board of Trustees has partnered with Search Associates to assist in this process.  Dr. Norma Hudson and Dr. Brent Mutsch are serving as the Search consultants.  The application deadline is Friday, October 18, with interviews scheduled in November and the appointment of the new Superintendent in December.  The new Superintendent will begin her/his duties in August 2025 or 2026, depending on availability.

Interested candidates should apply as soon as possible; screening will begin after receiving applications.  Interested candidates should submit an application to include the following elements:

• A letter of application explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Superintendent position at the American School of Dubai.
• A current resume should not exceed two pages, addressing the preferred qualifications.
• A one to two-page statement of educational philosophy.
• A one-page list of at least four direct supervisor references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
• The application may include a maximum of three letters of reference already in the candidate's possession, but this is not a requirement.

Candidates should e-mail their application as a single PDF attachment to Dr. Norma Hudson (nhudson@searchassociates.com) and Dr. Brent Mutsch (bmutsch@searchassociates.com).

Candidates wishing to learn more about the American School of Dubai should visit the school website at www.asdubai.org