Head of Humanities (Secondary - for August 2026)

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

Do you think that true leadership is built on courage, clarity, and genuine connections?

Are you a leader prepared to tackle difficult conversations, who prioritizes curiosity over judgment, and recognizes that clarity is a form of kindness while ambiguity can be unkind?
Do you foster trust through honesty, openness, and presence—even in tough discussions?

If this resonates with you, it’s time to Go Beyond with Star International School, Mirdif.

Leadership Philosophy at Star Mirdif

At Star International School Mirdif (Dubai), we believe leadership is about influence rather than authority.

It requires the courage to express truth, the resilience to listen deeply, and the humility to be influenced by what you learn.

Our Leadership Playbook is inspired by the idea from Susan Scott:
“The conversation is the relationship.”
And reinforced by Brené Brown:
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”

Leaders in our community demonstrate emotional maturity, vulnerability, and courage, with psychological safety as the foundation of high performance.

Every leader embodies The Star Mirdif Way:

● Embrace our STAR culture and values
● Accountability infused with compassion—clarity, care, and fairness
● Go Beyond for our students and each other

These principles translate into actionable behaviors—more than mere slogans.

Our Leadership Approach
Guided by the insights of Scott, Brown, Goleman, Lencioni, and your own Leadership Playbook, leaders at Star Mirdif:

● Establish clarity—ensuring everyone comprehends what truly matters
● Foster trust—through openness, curiosity, and honesty
● Communicate with compassion and bravery—even during difficult dialogues
● Exhibit vulnerability-based courage—approaching situations with authenticity instead of defensiveness
● Coach others effectively (GROW & ADAPT)
● Maintain an environment of psychological safety while upholding high standards
● Encourage consistency and unity across teams and phases
● Take ownership of their roles—while contributing to the overall school mission
● Keep a steadfast focus on student learning and personal development

Our guiding principle for 2025–26 is:
Lead with clarity and consistency. Cultivate a cohesive culture.

Why Choose Leadership at Star Mirdif
● A leadership environment grounded in courage, clarity, and connection
● A team based on trust and emotionally intelligent leadership
● A school where leaders engage in Fierce Conversations—honest, kind, and courageous
● Professional development centered on coaching, inquiry, and self-awareness
● A community where wellbeing starts with you and grows together
● A flagship ISP Lab School, promoting purposeful innovation across the region

This is a realm where leadership is both a privilege and a duty.

What’s Ahead - August 2026
Our new purpose-built Secondary School will include:

● A modern auditorium
● A 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 signifies a new chapter for bold leadership.

Are You Ready to Lead the Star Mirdif Way?

If you can lead with clarity, engage in sincere dialogue, build trust through kindness, and demonstrate 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 realize their potential and make a positive impact on the world.

Application Instructions: Please review the attached job description, ISP role profile, and leadership playbook before applying. Submit your application as a single document that includes a letter addressed to the principal (no more than one page) detailing why you would excel in this role, followed by an updated CV (maximum of two pages) that outlines your employment dates and references from current and past employers. Ensure that the dates on your CV are formatted as mm/yyyy and account for any gaps in your education and employment history.

Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

Star International School and ISP are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, expecting 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 ten years of employment history.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Star International School and ISP are dedicated to enhancing our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing team members regardless of age, disability status, socio-economic background, or other demographic factors. We strongly encourage candidates who resonate with our vision and principles and are eager to contribute to the success of ISP through this role to apply.