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Assistant Director

Dubai, UAE

Full-Time

About Us


The Ivy is thrilled to unveil our brand-new, cutting-edge Education Center, designed to be a hub of learning, creativity, and exploration. We proudly offer comprehensive Early Childhood Education programs for children ages 0-5 and an exciting array of Afterschool Enrichment programs for students aged 3-12.


This is a unique opportunity to be part of The Ivy’s founding team, where your expertise and enthusiasm will help shape a nurturing and inspiring environment for young minds. We’re on the lookout for passionate educators who are ready to ignite curiosity, foster growth, and guide children toward realizing their fullest potential.


Our facility boasts thoughtfully designed, state-of-the-art classrooms and vibrant learning spaces, creating an inclusive, stimulating atmosphere for all our students. With its exceptional programs and accessible location, The Ivy is set to become a beacon of excellence in early childhood and afterschool education.


If you’re excited to make a meaningful impact and be part of an innovative educational journey, The Ivy is the place for you! At The Ivy, we are seeking an experienced and passionate Assistant Director to join our leadership team. This role supports the Director in ensuring smooth daily operations across our early education program (ages 0-5) and afterschool program (ages 4-12), aligning with our educational philosophy and maintaining the highest standards of care and education.


Key Responsibilities



Operational Leadership

  • Support the Director in managing daily operations for both nursery and afterschool programs, ensuring a safe, engaging, and compliant environment that meets KHDA standards and Massachusetts-based curriculum guidelines.

  • Oversee the transition from nursery to afterschool program hours, maintaining consistency in care, safety, and learning for children up to age 12.

  • Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and licensing regulations.

Strategic Enrollment Planning

  • Develop and execute strategic enrollment initiatives aligned with the center’s growth objectives, optimizing classroom capacity.

  • Analyze market trends, competition, and parent preferences to refine enrollment strategies.

Curriculum and Pedagogy

  • Collaborate with the Director to provide strong curriculum leadership across both early education and afterschool programs.

  • Maintain a dynamic, age-appropriate curriculum rooted in Massachusetts standards and child-centered practices.

  • Foster engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity, independence, and collaboration, incorporating best practices from both US and UK curricula.

Staff Development and Management

  • Coach and support staff with ongoing performance feedback and professional growth opportunities.

  • Lead training sessions on Reggio Emilia principles, inquiry-based learning, and Massachusetts standards.

  • Ensure effective staff onboarding and professional development, cultivating a high-quality team across nursery and afterschool programs.

Family and Community Engagement

  • Build strong relationships with families, offering regular updates on child development and progress.

  • Respond promptly to inquiries, providing tours and detailed information on programs, facilities, and educational philosophy.

  • Guide families through a welcoming enrollment process, from inquiry to admission.

  • Implement family engagement initiatives, including newsletters and feedback sessions, to support satisfaction and retention.

  • Organize family events that showcase The Ivy’s curriculum and provide insights into children’s learning journeys.

  • Act as a brand ambassador, fostering community relationships and enhancing program awareness.

Quality Assurance and Improvement

  • Partner with the Director to uphold high standards of care, safety, and educational quality.

  • Implement improvement strategies to ensure operational excellence in both nursery and afterschool services.

Afterschool Programs

  • Ensure smooth afterschool program operations.

  • Educate families on afterschool offerings and assist with enrollment.

  • Facilitate sign-ups and promote afterschool package options.

Administration and Operations

  • Assist with administrative tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, record-keeping, and reporting for both programs.

  • Collaborate with HR, Finance, and Operations to manage resources and meet enrollment and financial goals.

  • Play a crucial role in enrollment efforts, ensuring occupancy targets and providing a welcoming experience for families.

To thrive at The Ivy, you need: 


  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Education, or related field (Master’s preferred) or CACHE Level 5 and up may be considered.

  • Experience: Minimum 3 years in a leadership role within an early childhood education setting, with familiarity in US or UK curricula; experience in afterschool programs and in UAE settings is an asset.

  • Knowledge: Strong understanding of early childhood approaches like Reggio Emilia, Montessori, or other inquiry-based models, with knowledge of US/UK standards.  Comprehensive understanding of KHDA regulations and health and safety requirements.

  • Full proficiency in English

  • Compliance: Willingness to undergo background checks and provide professional references. Certifications must align with the National Qualifications Framework and meet KHDA standards.


At The Ivy, our values are deeply embedded in our daily interactions and educational practices. If you share these values, we encourage you to apply today.


We understand the application process can be challenging and thank you for the time you have taken to apply

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