Head of Sports - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Aldar Education

Description

Description

Aldar Education is currently seeking an inspirational leader for the position of Head of Sport within the UAE, commencing March 2026 or sooner by appointment, due to planned current and future expansion.

The Head of Sport will champion Aldar Education's vision across our entire network of schools. This individual will be responsible for developing and rolling out sports strategy that will have a positive impact on over 33,000 students in 31 schools. The Group Director of Sport will coordinate sport leads from each school and leverage our collective strength to the benefit of every child. They will be responsible for driving cutting-edge staff development and for creating leading partnerships within the region. This is a fluid document and the list of responsibilities are not necessarily exhaustive. As such, the post holder will require resilience, adaptability, strategic understanding and most importantly, the ability to connect with and inspire individuals on a grand scale. 

Aldar Education is the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities, Aldar Education aims to be your employer of choice. We educate over 34,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and as we grow so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders and employees across the group.

Working collaboratively, our purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi's government. Today, Aldar Education's efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

We are a Great Place To Work and currently employ over 1,400 teachers to deliver the English National Curriculum, the highly regarded American Massachusetts State Curriculum and the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme all with an international dimension.

Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To take ownership of Aldar Education's vision and strategy for sport
• To review and create a Group wide development programme for all sports staff
• To compile datasets that review progress and inform decision making across all sports
• To develop Aldar Sports Academies as an additional pathway to excellence
• To drive health and fitness in every child
• To utilise budgeting and financial planning skills to achieve a set outcome
• To coordinate an Aldar fixture calendar that all schools can access
• To take ultimate responsibility for Aldar Pinnacle Sporting Events
• To coordinate Aldar talent identification and drive gifted and talented in all schools
• To market Aldar sport widely across the region
• To create bespoke programmes that blend academics and sport for our top athletes
• To be the point of liaison on all sporting matters with relevant local bodies (ADEK, KHDA and the MOE etc.) and to drive positive change within these institutions
• To represent Aldar Education at sporting events
• To create and drive relevant sporting policies across all schools
• To ensure the group remains at the forefront of sports coaching and teaching pedagogy 
• To review and audit sport schemes of work and moderate teaching / coaching as required
• To coordinate the Aldar Sport Scholarship Programme
• To drive our Sport 4 All policy
• Growing participation and enrolment in sports programs and academies
• Launching and managing high-profile events and bespoke programs
• Enhancing the reputation and reach of Aldar Education's sports offerings
• Building partnerships and marketing initiatives that open new revenue streams
• Efficiently managing budgets and financial planning to support sustainable growth

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in PE / Sport Science and/or a PGCE specialising in PE / Sport Science
• Master's Degree in Sport Development or similar (desired)

Minimum Experience:

• 3-5 Years of sport leadership

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• A proven history of sport development; evidence of building and implementing sport strategy; a deep understanding of physical development in 3 to 18-year-olds, particularly in a school setting; evidence of designing and leading elite-level sport programmes. Awareness of the UAE sporting landscape is desirable, but not a prerequisite.
• Strong IT skills, an understanding of Arabic culture, and experience in International Schools would be an advantage
• Excellent English language skills, written and oral.
• Great interpersonal skills.
• Ability to create a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Previous experience working with students whose English is not their first language
• Passion for teaching.
• A high level of professionalism and knowledge of child protection and safeguarding.
• Skilled in multitasking and handling pressure.
• Great organizational ability, of self and others.
• Works in a highly collaborative and effective manner, both independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to think strategically.
• Very good at establishing professional relationships within and across companies.
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.

What We Offer:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate 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, 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 develop 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 dedicated to our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application to 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.