Director of Sports

Dubai Heights Academy

Dubai Heights Academy is a warm and welcoming place to work. Located in the Al Barsha South area of Dubai, this is an exciting opportunity to join our team.

The school opened in 2017. It offers an inclusive, exciting and outstanding education to an international community of students from FS1 to Year 12 (2025-2026) and will grow to Year 13 in the next academic year.

The campus is state-of-the-art with separate buildings for each phase as well as a 380 seat auditorium. There are three temperature controlled swimming pools, fully equipped science and computer labs, specialist rooms for art, DT, music, and drama, a library, three multipurpose sports halls, a full size football pitch, a variety of outdoor play areas and two spacious canteens. Our sprawling 292,000 sqft campus boasts 3 buildings dedicated for each phase. We opened a new secondary building in August 2025. 

Dubai Heights Academy follows the National Curriculum for England as the basis of its curriculum. This has been tailored to comply with local requirements and supplemented with Arabic language, Islamic Studies, Moral Education and Social Studies. In addition, Dubai Heights Academy has partnered with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) to develop and deliver a bespoke AI (artificial intelligence) project-based programme for secondary and an early language programme using social robots for Primary, to further enrich our broad and balanced curriculum.

We are driven by an underlying philosophy captured by our school ethos of ‘Every Child, Every Mind and Everybody matters’ and believe that every student deserves the best possible education, regardless of background and ability.

Job Overview

The Director of Sports provides strategic leadership and operational management of the school’s Physical Education and sports programme. The role is responsible for delivering a high-quality PE curriculum, developing a comprehensive co-curricular sports provision, and promoting participation, performance, and wellbeing for all students.

The Director of Sports ensures that sport contributes to the school’s vision, enhances student outcomes, supports elite pathways, and strengthens the school’s reputation within local and international sporting communities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a whole school sports strategy aligned with the school’s vision and values and improvement priorities.

• Set measurable targets for student participation, competitive performance, talent development and elite pathways..

• Embed sport as a key contributor to students’ physical health, mental wellbeing, character building and leadership skills.

• Monitor participation, performance, and impact data to inform planning and continuous improvement.

• Contribute to school self-evaluation, inspection preparation, and strategic planning related to student wellbeing and enrichment.

2. Teaching & Curriculum Delivery

• Teach high-quality Physical Education lessons across assigned year groups.

• Plan and deliver engaging, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate lessons aligned with the curriculum.

• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

• Assess, track, and report student progress in line with school policies

• Promote positive attitudes toward lifelong physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

3. Sports Programme Management

• Lead and coordinate all co-curricular sports activities, teams, and clubs.

• Develop structured training programmes and competition calendars across sports.
  Manage participation in inter-school competitions, leagues, and events (e.g., DASSA, local and international tournaments).

• Oversee specialist programmes such as sports academies, ensuring clear development pathways.

• Coordinate fixtures, transport, staffing, risk assessments, and event logistics.

• Support the effective scheduling and utilisation of sports facilities, including external rentals where applicable.

4.  Staff Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead, manage, and develop the PE and coaching team.

• Allocate roles and responsibilities to ensure effective programme delivery.

• Conduct performance management, lesson observations, and professional development planning.

• Provide mentoring, coaching, and support to build staff capacity and expertise.

• Ensure consistency in teaching quality, student experience, and safeguarding practices.

5. Student Development & Welfare

• Co-manage the termly after school enrichment programmes 

• Promote inclusive sports opportunities for students of all abilities and interests.

• Identify and support talented athletes through advanced training and competition opportunities.

• Ensure high standards of student welfare, behaviour, and safeguarding in all PE and sports activities.

• Implement appropriate risk assessments, supervision, and health and safety procedures.

• Support student leadership opportunities such as sports captains, leaders, and ambassadors.

6. Facilities & Resources

• Oversee the maintenance and development of sports facilities and equipment.

• Manage the budget for sports programmes, including equipment, travel, staff, and facility rentals.

7. Community & Partnerships

• Build relationships with local, regional, and national sports organisations.

• Promote the school’s sporting achievements in the community and media.

• Foster parent and student engagement in sports initiatives.

• Support the development of the school’s sports profile and reputation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Sports Science, Sports Management or related field (Masters preferred)

• Minimum 5 Years’ experience in school sports leadership.

• Strong English National Curriculum knowledge with proven GCSE and A Level/BTEC results

• Proven track record in developing sports programmes, leading and managing competitions, and managing staff.

• Strong understanding of child safeguarding and health & safety standards.

• Experience in UAE as Head of PE or sports leadership is preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and organisational skills.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

• Ability to plan strategically while managing day-to-day operations.

• Knowledge of sports science, coaching methodologies, PE curriculum, competition structures, and facility management.

• Problem-solving skills and ability to handle emergencies effectively.

In return we can offer you:

A positive and innovative learning culture supported by students, staff, parents and governors

A collaborative and supportive attitude amongst staff which promotes a sense of teamwork and unityA Senior Leadership team who is committed to promoting the best environment and outcomes for staff and studentsOur Compensation and 

Benefits package includes (where applicable):

Competitive tax-free salary

Visa and medical insurance coverage

Air fare allowance

Tuition Fee discounts at the school for up to 2 children

End of service gratuity in line with UAE Labour Law

Interviews will take place at Dubai Heights Academy or via Zoom, should a face to face interview not be possible. Closing date for applications is as advertised, however interviews may take place ahead of this date so an early application is advantageous. 

Whilst we thank all applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Safeguarding Statement:

Dubai Heights Academy is totally committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as such expects all its employees to share this commitment. All new staff will be subject to enhanced pre-employment clearance including identity checks, criminal background checks (from your home country/country of residence), qualification checks (attestation) and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment and at least two satisfactory professional references, which will be verified. Applicants may also be required to provide other applicable personal documents e.g. degree, marriage certificate etc. A full checklist will be provided to successful candidates.