Deputy Head

**King's College Riyadh**
Saudi Arabia**Job type**:

Full Time, Fixed Term**Start date**:

01 April 20268 October 2025**Job overview**:

**About Cognita**:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.
At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.**About King’s College Riyadh**:

King’s College Riyadh is the first UK private school brand to establish a branch in Saudi Arabia, in genuine partnership with King’s College UK, which has been educating pupils in the UK and abroad for over 140 years.
Since opening in 2021, King’s has grown rapidly and will expand to Year 7 in August 2025, with plans to extend through to Year 13 (age 18), enabling pupils to complete their full King’s education in Riyadh. Unlike most international schools in the city, King’s is fully co-educational from Pre-School through Year 7.'**King’s College Riyadh**:

- Brings 140 years of educational excellence to Saudi Arabia
- Offers a holistic curriculum, adapted from King’s UK to suit the Saudi context
- Provides exceptional pastoral care and a strong sense of community
- Creating outstanding career development opportunities within an international school network
The partnership with King’s College UK is central to the school’s success. Collaboration in areas such as vision and ethos, curriculum design, professional development, and co-curricular activities ensures the highest international standards. Pupils and staff in Riyadh benefit directly from the expertise and reputation that King’s College has built over nearly a century and a half.
The school balances academic achievement with a strong emphasis on sport, music, the arts, and a wide range of activities. Central to this is its commitment to pastoral care: pupils thrive when they feel happy, supported, and secure. Staff work to foster a warm, inclusive community where every child has trusted peers and adults to turn to, ensuring they feel valued and connected.**Job Overview**:

As Deputy Head, you will work closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to provide professional leadership that ensures the school achieves its strategic goals. You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of teaching and learning, staff development, school operations, and community engagement, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and high-performing school environment.**Key Responsibilities**:
**Academic Leadership & Holistic Education**
- Develop and implement a broad, structured, and coherent curriculum that supports student success.
- Promote high standards of behavior and a positive learning culture that fosters excellence.
- Ensure valid, reliable, and proportionate assessment practices are used to track progress.
- Provide strategic oversight into special educational needs and inclusive learning practices.

**Strategic Leadership & School Development**
- Uphold and drive the school’s ethos, vision, and strategic direction.
- Develop a culture of high staff professionalism, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Lead professional development programs, ensuring high-impact training and mentoring.
- Drive evidence-informed school improvement strategies to sustain excellence and innovation.
- Forge strong partnerships with parents, the local community, and educational networks.

**Operational Excellence & Compliance**
- Oversee day-to-day school operations, including timetable, events, and logistics.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies, prioritising student and staff welfare.
- Manage financial and human resources effectively, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.
- Implement risk management and ensure policies and procedures support school-wide effectiveness.

**Growth & Community Engagement**
- Enhance the school’s reputation and parental engagement through strong communication.
- Support the admissions and retention strategy, ensuring an outstanding parent and student experience.
- Act as an ambassador for the school, championing its mission and values.

**Skills & Competencies**:

- Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
- Expertise in curriculum development, student performance monitoring, and instructional leadership.
- Proven ability to manage teams, resolve problems, and maintain relationships with stakeholde