Head of Social Studies
The School
Universal American School delivers the US curriculum via New York State Standards. Nurturing inquiry-based learning through multiple pathways including Advanced Placement tracks, IB Diploma Program and Primary Years Program. These personalized pathways equip students with the learning skills and competences necessary to embrace the challenges of an ever-changing world. This means providing students with a wide range of academic and technological skills and developing a range of learning, critical thinking and inquiry skills that will empower students to interrogate learning, promote creativity, problem-solve and give learners agency over their learning to achieve continued success in their chosen pathway and as active citizens in our international community.
UAS hosts a Centre for Excellence for Arabic celebrating the Arabic language which aims to promote and enhance the study and understanding of the language through research, education, and collaboration.
The school is also run on a not-for-profit basis and is part of the Al Futtaim Education Foundation. Founded in 2005, the school has delivered an inclusive, diverse, and rigorous program for our learners. Our alumni have gone on to study at leading institutions of higher education in the US, Canada, the UK and other parts of the world.
Located in Dubai Festival City the UAS campus has extensive facilities on a spacious site including a 25m swimming pool, full gymnasium, 400m running track, grass pitch, art and design studios, teacher wellness room, a newly built state of the art cafeteria, staff professional development space, elementary sports hall and a specialist creative arts block including recording facilities, black box theatre and ceramics room.
Universal American School is a special place to learn and work and we welcome you to become part of our learning community.
The Role:
Universal American School is seeking to appoint an outstanding Head of Social Studies to join our team in January 2027.
This position includes responsibility as Curriculum Leader for the Social Studies Department, offering an exciting opportunity for an experienced and ambitious educator to shape the continued development of Social Studies at UAS.
The successful candidate will lead and inspire colleagues to deliver engaging, challenging and high-quality learning experiences for all students. They will drive curriculum development, assessment and departmental improvement, foster collaboration and professional growth within the team, and promote consistently high standards of teaching, learning and student achievement.
The Successful Candidate Will Have:
Qualifications & Experience
• A Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field
• A recognized teaching qualification (B.Ed., M.Ed., PGCE/PGDE, or equivalent)
• Experience leading a successful Social Studies Department or held a 2ic position and looking for an opportunity to lead in an outstanding school
• Excellent subject knowledge
• A strong understanding of inquiry-based, concept-driven, and standards-based teaching and learning
Professional Skills & Dispositions
• Proven ability to deliver engaging, challenging, and student-centred learning experiences
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with students, parents, and colleagues
• A collaborative approach and willingness to contribute to curriculum development and wider school initiatives
• Experience in an international or culturally diverse school environment (preferred, but not essential)
What we offer:
Our teachers and leaders enjoy a competitive remuneration package which includes a competitive Tax Free salary, Furnished Accommodation (or housing allowance), High Quality Medical Insurance for self and eligible dependants, VISA/Residency costs, Relocation Allowance, Annual Flight Allowance for self and eligible dependants, Free School Places for up to two dependants in either Deira International School or Universal American School, and significant corporate discounts through our Al- Futtaim employee rewards programme.
