Managing Director

Job description / Role

Job description

GEMS Education is one of the world's largest private school operators headquartered in Dubai, UAE. We have the privilege of impacting the lives of more than 200,000 children across our network of 50+ schools.

In line with the organisation's global growth strategy and commitment to equip students with the tools to thrive at school and far beyond, GEMS Education has launched multiple new initiatives including the Expeditions for Growth, Discovery, and Excellence (EDGE) initiative. The key aspiration of establishing EDGE is to build survival, resilience, leadership, and global citizenship skills in students aged 3-18 through progressive, theme-based, action-driven projects. These projects will align with GEMS school values and address major global humanitarian issues.

Purpose

We are looking to appoint the first Managing Director (MD) and essentially the founding leader of EDGE, who will be responsible for designing, building, and scaling the organisation and working closely with the GEMS senior leadership teams across the group to create a world-class developmental programme.

Key accountabilities

Strategic leadership

• Define EDGE's vision, mission, and strategic roadmap in alignment with GEMS Education's values and goals.
• Build EDGE's brand and reputation as a centre of excellence in youth resilience, leadership, and citizenship training.
• Report to the EDGE Board and GEMS senior leadership on progress, risks, and outcomes.

Programme & curriculum development

• Lead the creation of a progressive, age-appropriate curriculum from ages 3-18.
• Ensure the programme is theme-based, experiential, and action-driven, covering sustainability, resilience, leadership, creativity, teamwork, and expeditions.
• Embed humanitarian and charity-focused projects into the curriculum.
• Guarantee quality, innovation, and measurable impact in all programme areas.

Team building & leadership

• Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of instructors, expedition leaders, and administrators.
• Foster a values-driven culture within EDGE that reflects Growth, Discovery, and Excellence alongside GEMS' values.
• Implement staff development, safeguarding training, and performance management.

Partnerships & stakeholder engagement

• Develop strong relationships with GEMS school leaders, teachers, parents, and students.
• Forge partnerships with local and international charities, NGOs, and humanitarian organisations to strengthen EDGE's mission.
• Act as EDGE's public ambassador, representing the organisation to external stakeholders, regulators, and media.

Operations, governance & risk management

• Establish robust safeguarding, health & safety, and risk management systems, especially for outdoor and overseas expeditions.
• Ensure compliance with UAE regulatory frameworks (KHDA, ADEK, SPEA, and others).
• Oversee financial management, reporting, and governance in line with GEMS Education standards.

Finance & growth

• Manage EDGE's P&L, ensuring financial sustainability through school contracts, partnerships, and fundraising opportunities.
• Develop scalable delivery models for EDGE, balancing cost-efficiency with quality.
• Drive expansion from pilot implementation to full integration across GEMS schools and potentially beyond the GEMS network.

Skills

Ideal experience & qualifications

Essential

• Proven senior leadership experience, ideally as a former military officer or equivalent in expeditionary, adventure, or youth leadership.
• Track record of building organisations or programmes from inception to scale.
• Deep understanding of leadership, resilience, character development, and youth training.
• Strong experience in safeguarding, health & safety, and risk management (desirably for children and young people).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong alignment with EDGE's purpose of Growth, Discovery, and Excellence and GEMS' values of Care, Excellence, One Team, Always Learning.
• Willingness to be based in Dubai and to travel regionally and internationally as required.

Desirable

• Experience working in international schools or with youth development programmes.
• Expedition leadership, outdoor education, or adventure training background.
• Experience building partnerships with charities, NGOs, or humanitarian organisations.
• Multicultural experience and awareness.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.

About the Company

GEMS Education is a pioneering education company with an international network of award winning K-12 schools. Over the past 55 years GEMS has grown from one school to being a truly global company with one incredible mission – to make quality education available to every student. Over 20,000 education professionals unlock the potential of over 250,000 students across 14 countries each and every day, preparing children of all ages for real world success.