Head of Year (Secondary - for August 2026)

Lead the Star Mirdif Way
Embrace our core values. Lead with compassion. Go Beyond.

Do you perceive leadership as a courageous act, characterized by clarity and genuine connection?

Are you a leader who embraces difficult conversations, prioritizes curiosity over judgment, and recognizes that clarity is a form of kindness while ambiguity is not?
Do you build trust through transparency, openness, and presence, even when facing challenging discussions?

If your answer is yes, then it’s time to Go Beyond with Star International School, Mirdif.

Leadership at Star Mirdif

At Star International School Mirdif (Dubai), we define leadership by its impact, not by its position in the hierarchy.

It takes the bravery to speak the truth, the resilience to listen carefully, and the humility to adjust based on feedback.

Our Leadership Playbook draws inspiration from Susan Scott’s notion that “the conversation is the relationship,” and Brené Brown’s insight that “clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”

Our leaders embody emotional maturity, vulnerability, and bravery, understanding that psychological safety is crucial for high performance.

Every leader commits to The Star Mirdif Way:

● Uphold our STAR culture and values

● Encourage accountability with kindness—clarity, care, and fairness

● Go Beyond for our students and each other

These principles are woven into daily practice, not just displayed on walls.

How We Lead
Guided by the teachings of Scott, Brown, Goleman, Lencioni, and your own Leadership Playbook, leaders at Star Mirdif:

● Create clarity—because everyone deserves to understand what truly matters

● Establish trust through openness, curiosity, and honesty

● Communicate with empathy and courage—even during challenging conversations

● Demonstrate vulnerability-based courage—connecting authentically rather than defensively

● Foster others' growth through coaching (GROW & ADAPT)

● Ensure psychological safety while upholding high standards

● Promote consistency and unity across diverse phases and teams

● Take ownership of their domains while contributing to the overarching school mission

● Keep an unwavering focus on student learning and personal development

Our rallying cry for 2025–26 remains:
Lead with clarity and consistency. Cultivate a cohesive culture.

Why Lead at Star Mirdif
● A leadership culture grounded in courage, clarity, and connection

● A team that flourishes on vulnerability-based trust and emotionally intelligent leadership

● A school atmosphere where leaders engage in Fierce Conversations—honest, kind, and courageous

● Professional development focused on coaching, inquiry, and self-awareness

● A community where well-being starts with you and thrives collectively

● A flagship ISP Lab School, pioneering purposeful innovation in the region

This is a place where leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility.

What’s Next - August 2026
Our new purpose-built Secondary School will offer:

● A modern auditorium

● Sixth Form Centre

● Enhanced sports facilities

● A state-of-the-art library

● The flagship Go Beyond Hub—for STEAM, design, digital media, and innovation

A new facility—signifying the dawn of a new era for courageous leadership.

Ready to Lead the Star Mirdif Way?
If you are ready to lead with clarity, engage in honest conversations, build trust through kindness, and show the courage to be fully present, we would love to hear from you.

At Star Mirdif, we Go Beyond—creating the clarity, consistency, and cohesion that empower every member of our school community to achieve their highest potential and make a positive impact in our world.

How to apply: Please review the attached job description, ISP role profile, and leadership playbook prior to applying. To apply, submit a single document that contains a letter of application addressed to the principal (maximum one page) explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position, along with an updated CV (maximum two pages) detailing your employment history with dates and references for current and previous employers. Be sure to format all dates in the CV as mm/yyyy and address any gaps in education and employment.

Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
Star International School and ISP are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders will undergo appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the last 10 years of employment history.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Star International School and ISP are focused on enriching our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing team members regardless of age, disability status, socio-economic background, or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who resonate with our vision and principles and are eager to contribute to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.