Director of Sports - August 2026 start

We are looking to hire an outstanding Director of Sports to join our team effective August 2026 - AY 26-27.

Teaching at GEMS is not just a job, it’s a career. Our teachers enjoy free access to leading CPD programs and have the opportunity to grow with the company on a global scale. With most of our leaders coming from within the GEMS network of schools, GEMS teachers are in a unique position to consider career opportunities across the world as we expand into more and more countries.

As well as being a great place to work; Dubai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, rapidly expanding city where the sun shines all year round. Teachers in Dubai enjoy an exciting lifestyle, with opportunities for new and exciting leisure activities and travel across the region and further afield!

All positions attract an excellent remuneration package including:

Competitive tax-free salary, individual fully furnished accommodation, free schooling, private medical insurance, annual airfares to country of residence, and end of Service Gratuity.

GEMS Teachers also have free access to our loyalty app GEMS rewards which provides significant savings on day to day life in the UAE. We offer thousands of discounts and 2 for 1 offers on everything from flights, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets, making your salary go further and enhancing the opportunity to save whilst working overseas.

Job Responsibilities:

The Director of Sport provides strategic, operational, and commercial leadership for sport at GEMS Metropole. The role is responsible for delivering an inclusive Active School model alongside a market-leading High Performance programme, positioning the school as a recognised Centre of Excellence within GEMS and the wider UAE and World sporting landscape.

The Director of Sport leads the High Performance Team, Mustang Sport programme, oversees the development and enhancement of sporting facilities, high performance curriculum, GEMS Centre of Excellence for Sport, drives commercial partnerships, and ensures sport positively impacts whole-school culture, wellbeing, and academic outcomes.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a long-term sports strategy aligned with the Active School vision and whole-school improvement plan.

• Drive the Mustang sporting identity from participation to podium potential.

• Embed and oversee the High Performance Curriculum, integrating:
  

• Strength & Conditioning

• Sports Nutrition

• Performance Analysis

• Combat Sport

• Aesthetic Sport

• Football

• Performance Mindset (Red2Blue framework)

• Maintaining GEMS Metropole as a GEMS Centre of Excellence for Sport, incorporating:

• Staff professional development pathways

• Hosting and attending regional/international conferences

• Delivering athlete mid-term camps and elite development experiences

• Present strategic updates, performance data, and impact reports to SLT and Governors.

Leadership

• Line manage the High Performance Team, including:
  
  

• High Performance Coordinator

• Head of Strength & Conditioning

• Head of Sports Nutrition

• Head of Performance Analysis

• Head of Football

• Head of Combat Sport (Striking)

• Head of Combat Sport (Grappling)

• Head of Aesthetic Performance

• Oversee the Individual Athlete Plan (IAP) programme and elite athlete pathways.

• Line manage the Swim Coaching staff.

• Work collaboratively with PE HOD to ensure streamlined and harmonious approach to PE/Sport.

• Support whole PE department aims and objectives.

• Develop structured university and professional exit pathways including:
  
  

• USA and Canada scholarship routes

  • UK and European university sport pathways

  • Direct progression into professional academies and elite clubs

Operations & Infrastructure

• Oversee the maintenance, development, and strategic enhancement of sporting facilities to meet high-performance and community standards.

• Ensure robust health and safety systems, safeguarding compliance, and risk management procedures across all sporting provision.

• Lead operational planning including scheduling, staffing, events, and compliance frameworks.

• Work strategically to future-proof facilities through phased development and capital planning.

• Ensure aquatic provision operates in line with best practice, safety, and compliance standards.

Commercial Growth, Partnerships & Brand Development

• Lead the continued development of the Mustang sports brand regionally and internationally.

• Oversee the strategic management and growth of the Mustang kit programme, maximising the value of the Under Armour partnership.

• Develop new sponsorship and partnership opportunities with local and international businesses.

• Strengthen relationships with external stakeholders including:
  

• DASSA

• Dubai School Games

• UAE National Federations

• International Sporting Bodies 

• Work collaboratively with ESM to drive increased external rental usage and maximise facility profitability.

• Develop branded academies, camps, and programmes to enhance revenue generation and school profile.

Active School & Whole-School Impact

• Work alongside the Head Teacher of Active School to deliver and strengthen the Active School USP.

• Ensure sport enhances student wellbeing, attendance, behaviour, leadership, and academic performance.

• Lead major sporting events, engagement evenings, and community showcases.

• Embed performance mindset principles across sport and curriculum delivery.

• Champion inclusive participation opportunities for all students aged 3-18.

People Leadership & Culture

• Recruit, develop, and performance manage all PE/sports staff together with PE HOD.

• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

• Drive professional development aligned with Centre of Excellence standards.

• Promote staff wellbeing and leadership growth through sport.

• Any other responsibilities above and beyond the role that the Head Teacher of Active School, Principal, or CEO deems necessary to support department and whole school objectives and outcomes.

Skills

• Degree in Physical Education, Sports Science, or related field (Master’s desirable).

• Proven experience leading a large-scale sports department or high-performance programme.

• Experience developing commercial partnerships and managing sponsorship agreements.

• Experience in academic PE.

• Strong understanding of school sport governance, safeguarding, and compliance frameworks.

• Demonstrated experience building university scholarship pathways (USA/Canada) and professional sport links.

• Strategic leadership experience with measurable impact on participation, performance, and profitability.