Director of Performing Arts

Compass International School Doha was established in 2006 to provide a premium British education to both expatriate and local Qatari families. We have three campuses; Al Themaid and Madinat Khalifa educate students from Early Years through to Secondary whereas Gharaffa is a stand-alone Primary campus for children aged 3-11. All campuses offer a bespoke British curriculum. Secondary students can select from a wide range of IGSEs, AS and A levels. Additionally, we offer the prestigious IB Diploma Programme in Years 12 and 13. All three sites offer a warm, friendly learning environment with our students at the heart of everything we do. We are proud of our outstanding teachers and our community feel. As for Qatar, a sunny climate year-round and an airport with fantastic global connections ensures the continued popularity of this destination for expats. 

Our school has Qatar National Schools Accreditation (QNSA) and is a member of the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), COBIS and AoBSO.

About the role

This is a wonderful opportunity to lead an outstanding Performing Arts team across all three campuses. Due to the breadth of the remit, it is essential you are comfortable and enthusiastic working with students across the full 3-18 age group and that you have a willingness to support teachers of Music, Dance and Drama across all phases of our school.

We are looking for a Music specialist who has a strong track record teaching GCSE and beyond, as we wish to develop our Music offer both at GCSE and into our thriving Sixth Form (Compass PLUS). We also wish to enhance our extra-curricular and performance offer across all campuses. Our current Music staff are talented and hard working; we just need your energy and enthusiasm to help them realise their goals for our students.

As with other Nord Anglia schools, at Compass Doha we teach the Juilliard Creative Classroom programme in Years 1-9. This is an enormously exciting opportunity for staff and students alike; you will receive full training in the programme. Link experts in Music, Drama, and Dance visit our school from Juilliard every year.

In terms of facilities, Compass can boast a large amphitheatre, black box drama studio, dance studio and impressive music rooms.

It is a given that you will work with colleagues to ensure academic progress and attainment are the best we can achieve for our students. Together with tutors and the pastoral team, you will also ensure high standards of behaviour and pastoral care for our students. However, more than that you will work to instill a love of the Performing Arts in our students, giving them a range of creative experiences on their journey through Compass Doha.

You will work with the Head of Secondary, Director of Admissions & Marketing and Executive Principal to further develop the mission, vision and strategic direction of Compass, as we strive for continuous school improvement and future growth.

About you

Able to drive excellence by valuing and developing others, you will be a qualified teacher with extensive teaching experience within the British curriculum. You will be fully up to date with curriculum developments at GCSE and A level. It is desirable to have some understanding of the IB Diploma Programme. Strong on leadership and people management, you will have a flair for setting and meeting challenging performance targets. 

A key ambassador for the school, you will be able to develop new ways to engage students and parents with the wider school and Nord Anglia Education community. You will also be able to meet visa-related restrictions for Qatar including possession of a Bachelor’s degree and a teaching qualification from a face-to-face (non-online) course.

You will be a qualified teacher with a minimum of 5 years teaching experience in a Secondary school. Additionally, you will have experience of leadership and management, gained either in the UK or a respected international school.

Able to work with a high degree of cultural sensitivity in our changing and fast-paced international environment, you will have the ability to lead your team with energy, enthusiasm and a strong sense of integrity.

Please refer to the job description of the role for the following information:

·        Job purpose

·        Reporting to

·        Key relationships

·        Key results areas

·        Performance measurement

EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS SOUGHT

Essential

·        A university degree and a teaching qualification

·        At least 5 years of teaching experience within the British curriculum

·        A proven record of successful middle leadership

·        A passion for Performing Arts demonstrated through your own performance or teaching experiences

Desirable

·        Evidence of further professional development

·        Previous international experience

PERSONAL QUALITIES SOUGHT

·        Fluent English speaker

·        Values-led approach; integrity and honesty are paramount

·        Reliability, loyalty and commitment

·        Personal confidence and presence

·        Energetic and positive with a ‘can-do’ approach

·        Strong interpersonal skills

·        Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing

·        Approachable to all; able to show respect and display cultural sensitivity

·        Sense of humour and grace under pressure

·        Ability to understand complex issues and solve problems

·        Able to manage own time and prioritise; organized

·        Flexible and adaptable; able to handle uncertainty

·        Able to delegate effectively

To apply

Please apply for this vacancy using our recruitment portal.

Online applications should contain a CV, a two-page letter of application and the details of three professional references.

Start date: 1st August 2025

Closing date for applications is Thursday 12th December 2024.

Selection process

First stage interviews will be conducted face to face or via Teams and final interviews will take place in December 2024.

Candidates are encouraged to apply early as the school reserves the right to appoint before the closing date.